Shark vs. Eagle: ESD Students Present Business Proposals in EagleSpark Incubator
May 14, 2025
At the Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD), students are proving that you don't need to swim with sharks to soar like eagles. As part of the ESDistinction Business Curriculum Network, the school hosts an annual Shark Tank-style competition that allows young entrepreneurs to pitch innovative business ideas to a panel of judges comprising Dallas business leaders, Southern Methodist University (SMU) faculty, and a former student winner.
The EagleSpark Incubator Program is a dynamic initiative to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and the rapid growth of promising startups of ESD students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship class. The Shark Tank-style event, a cornerstone of the incubator program, is designed to provide selected entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance needed to accelerate the development and launch of their early-stage startup with the benefit of mentorship, legal guidance, and funding.
Before the official pitch day, the EagleSpark Incubator Board carefully reviews every student's business plan and selects the top concepts they want to see pitched in person. This year, six student-run businesses were invited to pitch directly to the Board. The following day, all Entrepreneurship students—including those who had pitched to the Board—had the opportunity to present to a broader pool of investors throughout the day. This overlapping format gave the EagleSpark Board members a second opportunity to evaluate select teams and their pitches.
This year's competition showcased a range of creative solutions. Of the six proposals, the following three Shark Tank Winners were awarded for best pitch, presentation, and business idea:
- ZEAL: Founded by Zaen Zaidi '25, ZEAL is a platform designed to curate college apparel for subscribers by mimicking a monthly subscription service.
- EliteSeat: Developed by McKenzie Clancy '25 and Ella Floyd '25, EliteSeat aims to enhance the experience of event-goers by providing premium seating solutions.
- Pathway: Created by Brooks Prestidge '26, Bauer Berkley '26, and Cole Horton '26, Pathway offers guidance to college applicants navigating the complex admissions landscape.
Two standout ventures were selected to enter the EagleSpark Incubator this year, receiving personalized mentorship, access to funding, and guidance for further business development. The following two ventures now receive ongoing support through periodic meetings with the EagleSpark team, which are focused on guiding them through the real-world steps of launching a business:
- Rett’s Profit Path Ranch Solutions: Spearheaded by Rett Detwiler '25, this venture assists ranch owners in maximizing profitability through strategies like selective timber harvesting, crop diversification, and renewable energy leasing. Although Rett is a senior and may not pursue a full launch during his time at ESD, his concept stood out for its vision and potential.
- RentSafe: Founded by Tyler Brausa '26, RentSafe is a platform designed to empower renters with essential information before signing a lease. Brausa's inspiration stemmed from a personal experience with unaddressed water damage in a rental property, highlighting the need for transparency in the rental process. As a junior, Tyler has more time to fully develop his business through the program, and EagleSpark mentors are optimistic about helping him bring RentSafe to market.
Amy Livingston, the program’s faculty advisor, praised the students' efforts, emphasizing the real-life experience of the EagleSpark Incubator. Livingston acknowledged how students gain valuable knowledge from pitching their ideas to real-world leaders, which helps them develop practical skills like thinking on their feet and answering difficult questions.
For more coverage on this year’s EagleSpark Incubator, visit People Newspapers.
For more information about the EagleSpark Incubator Program and the ESDistinction Business Curriculum Network, click the button below:
