5 students to compete in Judson’s 12th annual Shark Tank competition

Five Judson University students will compete for a chance to win $1,000 for coming up with the best entrepreneurial idea during the Elgin college’s annual “Shark Tank” competition at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Thulin Auditorium.

Inspired by the popular TV show, the competition allows students to practice entrepreneurial thinking and present their ideas to a panel of three judges. This year, Toby Wamsley, David Peterson, Gordon Thompson, Hana Cunningham, and Katelyn Kiefer will be competing for the $1,000 first-place award.

Wamsley’s idea, “WearUrClimtate,” is technology that can be attached to the interior of any piece of clothing to bring wearers ultimate comfort in any weather.

Peterson’s pitch is for “Revised Rip-Off,” a permanent Velcro patch that can be applied to any high school jersey to allow players’ names to be added and removed for maximization of jersey investments from year to year.

Thompson’s idea, “Shared Co.,” is a nonprofit venture to share food, Gospel materials, and resources with the unhoused.

Cunningham’s idea, “Beyond Words Co.,” is a nonprofit that provides a place where kids can work through trauma in a safe environment through art forms.

And Kiefer’s invention, “Beyond Bats,” is designed to hold baseball and softball bats on the fence and clear of the ground during games.

The event is free and open to the public.