What happens when students are given a stage, a business idea, and a chance to convince real investors?
That was the idea behind PitchTank, one of the flagship events of NEXIS School of Business.
Designed in a Shark Tank-style format, PitchTank gave students an opportunity to think like entrepreneurs, present their ideas, solve real business challenges, and pitch solutions in front of experienced business leaders. What started as a competition quickly became an exciting showcase of creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking.
PitchTank brought together more than 100 student entrepreneurs from 10 schools. The event featured startup pitching, business problem-solving, real negotiations, and ₹50,000 in investments awarded to winning teams.
Bringing Shark Tank to Siliguri
Entrepreneurship is often discussed in classrooms, but students rarely get the opportunity to experience it.
PitchTank changed that.
The event recreated the excitement of startup pitching by giving students a chance to present ideas, defend their thinking, and respond to challenging questions just like founders do.
The atmosphere was energetic from the beginning. Students arrived with ideas, strategies, and a willingness to take risks. For many participants, it was their first experience presenting a business idea in front of an audience and industry professionals.
Round One: Students Pitched Their Own Business Ideas
The first round focused on original thinking.
Students were invited to present business ideas they believed could solve real problems. They had to explain what their idea was, who it would help, and why it had potential.
The challenge was not simply coming up with an idea.
The challenge was explaining it clearly and convincingly.
Participants quickly realised that a good idea alone is not enough. They also needed communication, structure, and confidence to make others believe in their vision.
Round Two: Real Business Owners, Real Problems
After the first round, the competition became even more interesting.
Top business owners introduced real-world business challenges and invited qualifying students to solve them.
Instead of working on imaginary situations, students had to think about genuine business problems and propose practical solutions.
This pushed participants to think beyond theory and approach problems the way entrepreneurs and business leaders do every day.
The round tested creativity, business understanding, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
The Final Pitch: Negotiating With the Sharks
The best teams advanced to the final stage.
Here, students presented their solutions to the “sharks” and faced questions, discussions, and negotiations.
This was not just about presenting ideas.
Students had to justify their decisions, explain their reasoning, and convince others that their solution deserved investment.
The final round brought together everything the event was designed to encourage: confidence, communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking.
The winning teams were rewarded with real investment cheques, making the experience even more meaningful.
PitchTank by the Numbers
| Highlights | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Student Entrepreneurs | 100+ |
| Schools Participating | 10 |
| Real Investments Awarded | ₹50,000 |
| Startup Pitching Rounds | 3 |
| Business Challenges Solved | Multiple Real-World Cases |
Why Events Like PitchTank Matter
Many students have ideas.
Very few get opportunities to test them.
Events like PitchTank create a space where students can move beyond textbooks and explore how ideas are built, presented, questioned, and improved.
Even for students who do not plan to start businesses immediately, the experience develops valuable skills. Participants learn how to communicate clearly, think critically, solve problems, and present ideas with confidence.
These are skills that remain useful in college, internships, careers, and entrepreneurship.
Building Future Entrepreneurs at NEXIS
As one of the flagship events of NEXIS School of Business, PitchTank reflects a larger focus on practical learning and entrepreneurial thinking.
Students are encouraged to participate in activities that help them apply concepts, collaborate with others, and gain exposure to real business situations.
With Round 3 admissions currently open, many students exploring business education are also looking for environments where they can move beyond theory and experience business in action.
Conclusion
PitchTank was more than a competition.
It was an opportunity for students to experience what entrepreneurship actually feels like.
From pitching original ideas to solving real business challenges and negotiating with investors, participants experienced different stages of the entrepreneurial journey in a practical and engaging way.
For many students, PitchTank was not just an event. It was their first step towards thinking like an entrepreneur.
