YBI Shark Tank returns to Boardman this fall with six celebrity sharks
The annual fundraiser backs YBI’s free entrepreneur services, from business counseling and funding access to advanced manufacturing and technology resources. Four regional finalists will pitch live for cash awards before an audience expected to top 750.
YBI will hold its seventh annual YBI Shark Tank on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center in Boardman, putting regional entrepreneurs in front of a panel of area business leaders and an audience the organization expects to exceed 750.
Doors open at 5 p.m. The event serves as YBI's primary fundraiser of the year, with proceeds from sponsorships, donations and ticket sales underwriting free services for entrepreneurs including business counseling, access to funding, state certification assistance and use of advanced technology and facilities.
Six celebrity sharks will hear this year's pitches. The panel includes Bergen Giordani, co-owner of Gorant Chocolates and owner of Sweet Marketing and Management; Ken Haidaris, owner of Sunrise Inn and Sunrise Entertainment and president of THG Real Estate; Tim Petrey, founder of White Glove Payroll; Brianna Komara Pridon, co-owner and president of Komara Jewelers; Gregg Strollo, principal and president of Strollo Architects; and Sterling Williams, owner of Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home. Steve Vesey, co-anchor of WFMJ Today, returns as master of ceremonies.
Four companies will be selected to pitch live. Applications closed Aug. 4, and YBI has not yet named the finalists. Under the structure announced at the June launch party, each of the four pitching companies receives $2,500, the winning pitch chosen by the sharks receives $10,000 and an audience vote awards an additional $5,000.
The 2025 competition drew nearly 50 applicants, four of whom pitched before the sharks, angel investors and venture capitalists in front of more than 750 attendees. That event brought in more than $350,000.
Over the past year, YBI has worked with more than 2,500 individuals through programs including the Engine Tech Incubator, Advanced Manufacturing, International-YBI, the Minority Business Assistance Center and Explore VR: Virtual Reality for the Classroom. Client companies created or retained more than 550 jobs and secured over $55 million in funding during that period.
Six sponsorship levels are available, ranging from The Startup at $1,750 to The Silent Partner at $15,000. Benefits scale by level and include preferred seating, program booklet advertising, recognition on the event sponsor loop and placement on printed materials and the event webpage. Custom packages are also available, including branding tied to the Celebrity Sharks' Pick and Audience Pick awards, the shark and pitch stages, event highlight videos and the launch party.
Sponsor ad files are due Friday, Oct. 2, and should be submitted as high-resolution PNG or PDF files. Individual tickets are $100. Sponsorship inquiries go to Luke Politsky at YBI, lpolitsky@ybi.org, 241 W. Federal St., Youngstown.
