April 23, 2021 View as Webpage
Stark Entrepreneurs Invest in Student Innovations
"Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects." – Dalai Lama
STARK Tank, our own local version of the popular tv show, took place on April 7th and April 14th. Area high school and college students pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of five local successful entrepreneurs – Ken Brott (lead "Shark"), Dr. Dominic Bagnoli, Mark Fedor, Sue Grabowski and Bill Morgenstern. These five judges provided constructive feedback and generously awarded more than $36,000 for students to implement their ideas.
Stark students impressively showed their ability to be problem solvers by designing products to improve our lives. The areas of interest were wide – ranging from safety and accessibility, to education and the environment.

The college division first place winner, “ripple,” created a competitively priced water bottle with a philanthropic component. For every 2,000 water bottles sold, they will install a water well in Khobwe (a small community in the country of Malawi) in partnership with Water Wells For Africa. Congratulations to Walsh University students Joe Knopp and Chip Gottschalk who will receive $10,000 to further their company.g
"Finlit", the first place winners in the high school division, developed Budget or Bust –an interactive, fun board game that teaches kids the basics of financial literacy including budgeting, saving and investing along with loans, car payments and mortgages. Congratulations to the entire team of Hoover High School students who can use the $3,000 prize to expand their company's impact.
The Stark Education Partnership (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) collaborates with education, business, civic and community members across the entire spectrum – cradle to career – to create and respond to opportunities that will provide ALL students with education and career success.