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Tech Runway Entrepreneur Wins Funding from 'Sharks' at FAU's CrocTank

An entrepreneur from Florida Atlantic University's Tech Runway was offered $250,000 during CrocTank, a first-of-its-kind live business pitch event recently hosted with the judges from ABC's show "Shark Tank."
amber-bonefont/abonefont@fau.edu | Fri, Dec 6, 2024

A panel of three judges listen to a pitch from a scientist.

An entrepreneur from Florida Atlantic University’s Tech Runway was offered $250,000 during CrocTank, a first-of-its-kind live business pitch event recently hosted with the judges from ABC’s show “Shark Tank” at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, Boca Raton campus.

An entrepreneur from Florida Atlantic University’s Tech Runway was offered $250,000 during CrocTank, a first-of-its-kind live business pitch event recently hosted with the judges from ABC’s show “Shark Tank” at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, Boca Raton campus.

Four contestants were chosen from the FAU ecosystem – such as the Research Park and Tech Runway – to live pitch venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, FUBU apparel founder Daymond John, and cyber-tech giant Robert Herjavec for the chance to win investment money from one of the “sharks.”

In the end, O’Leary offered the money for a 20% share to Andria Beal, Ph.D., owner of EpiPaws, a genetic testing company that allows owners to learn the age of their animals.

“This first-of-its-kind business event was exceptional, and we are proud of the innovation demonstrated in our FAU community’s pitches,” said Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business. “It is a demonstration of the strength of our entrepreneurial ecosystem at FAU, where we are all working to support our people in the pursuit of their individual versions of the American dream.”

            The other contestants included:

  • Tim Sperry with CarbonLimit/ CaptureCrete, a product added to concrete that reduces CO2 pollution.
  • Kaustubh Kale with Hemotag, a non-invasive heart health monitor. Herjavec offered a deal to Kale but it was declined.
  • Hannah Herbst with AutoTQ, an automated tourniquet to stop blood loss.

The event began with remarks from Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer; FAU President Stacy Volnick; and Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business, followed by a moderated fireside chat between the judges with Michael Kupinski from Noble Capital Markets. 

The CrocTank event was part of NobleCon 20, the Noble Capital Markets annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference hosted in partnership with FAU’s College of Business Executive Education programs.

-FAU-