BOCA RATON, Fla. – The stars of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank brought their entrepreneurial expertise to Florida Atlantic University on Wednesday, delivering a real-life business lesson to a captivated audience.
Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O’Leary, famously known as “Mr. Wonderful,” headlined the Noble Capital Markets’ NobleCon event, which drew over 200 executives from across the country.
The event featured discussions on hot topics such as cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, branding, and artificial intelligence, alongside personal stories from the Sharks about their journeys to success.
But the highlight of the event came during a live pitch session, where four FAU-connected startups presented their ideas to the Sharks. Among them was Dr. Andrea Beal, founder of EpiPaws, a company specializing in genetic testing for pets to enhance their longevity.
“Is it just you, or do you have a team working with you?” O’Leary asked during Beal’s pitch.
“I have a team of nine, but everyone is part-time. I’m full-time,” Beal responded, sharing that her company had already raised $150,000 from angel investors on a $2.5 million evaluation.
O’Leary quickly jumped in with an offer: “I’ll do the $250,000. I want 20%, and I have no flexibility.”
After spirited negotiations and audience input, reminiscent of a game show atmosphere, Beal struck a deal with O’Leary, walking away with funding to grow her company.
The Sharks’ visit was part of the conference’s closing session, which ran longer than scheduled as attendees soaked in insights from the celebrity investors and watched the high-stakes pitches unfold.
For aspiring entrepreneurs and FAU students, the event offered an up-close look at the decision-making processes of some of the nation’s most successful business leaders, proving that the leap from idea to investment can happen in an instant — with the right pitch.