Nicolet College students pitch business ideas at “Shark Tank”-type competition, advance to regional competition  

Last week, two Nicolet College student teams won top honors at a local business and product pitch contest, similar to “Shark Tank.” The teams will advance to a regional competition against student teams from other Wisconsin technical colleges.  

The NEW Ideas Pitch Challenge regional event will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 2 p.m. at the Nicolet College Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. 

The local competition was recently held in Rhinelander as part of the NEW Ideas Pitch Contest being held in conjunction with five other Wisconsin technical colleges. The contest is an educational experience intended to help student entrepreneurs improve their skills organizing and presenting their business ideas. 

The first-place pitch at the local competition was awarded to Allysa Scheuermann and April Stine, with their product idea of sippy cups and handles targeting senior adults. They won $500 and will move on to the regional event. Both students are enrolled in the Nicolet College Associates of Applied Science Culinary Management program. 

Taking second place was Karina Slizewski, with her idea for a flight simulator business to advance pilot training and education in northern Wisconsin. She won $300 and will also advance to the next competition. Slizewski is enrolled in the Associates of Applied Science Business Management program. 

In total, twelve student teams will compete for the winning honors and cash prizes. They will be competing against other competitors from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Fox Valley Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, Lakeshore College and Mid-State Technical College. 

The regional contest is sponsored by Nicolet College, the Nicolet College Foundation, and Kwik Trip.