Videos: ‘Shark Tank’ Comes to Crown Heights

What’s the next big idea coming out of Crown Heights? Last month, on June 18th, members of the Crown Heights Jewish community had the chance to pitch their start-up ventures to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs in CHYE’s second annual “shark-tank” style event.

The event gave a limited number of participants the chance to sell their ventures to potential investors Gedalia Weinberger, David SchottensteinShmuel GniwischDaniel Wolfson and Esriel Rapoport, with the opportunity to raise between $50-250,000 in seed money.

The pitches were made in front of a live audience, giving the public a chance to join in and learn as well.

Rabbi Yehoshua Werde, Director of Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs, said “we made this event to generate opportunity in our community by giving participants the funds and guidance needed to succeed, create a forum for the public to hear the wisdom and insight of these investors, and advocate for entrepreneurship as a career path that our community can follow.”

David Schottenstein, one of the five panelists, said his goal was to give participants the “opportunity to do something” about their ideas. “The key to success is taking the initiative to get things done,” Schottenstein continued. “That can only be accomplished through persistence, hard work and ingenuity.”

2 Comments

  • Go newsworthy, impressed with David shottenstein

    Wow, all his words were inspiring, especially his talk about yiddishkeit in the business world.. Hope it has a strong impact

  • Great Event

    I think the funders and pitchers were very professional. BUT I think that part of the audience were on cell phones, walking around- up and down off their chairs etc which made the event seem a little ‘hefker’ or maybe just very informal. Looking forward to the next event.