Mendoza's team wins ISU Shark Tank 101 US Bank Pitch Off competition
Necha Mendoza with Jeff Street and her teammate Peyton Burrell.
POCATELLO — Necha Mendoza, Shoshone-Bannock, and her teammate Peyton Burrell won the Idaho State University Shark Tank 101 US Bank Pitch Off competition with their idea of “Rad Refresher” — a seasonal non-alcoholic beverage trailer in a key location in Utah during busy summer months.
The team won $1,000 each as the US Bank winners and $250 each for winning in their class.
Mendoza explained she returned to ISU in the fall to take a few business classes. In the Introduction to Business class Professor Joshua Thompson taught, it was a requirement to present a Shark Tank presentation.
She partnered with Burrell, a freshman from Rexburg. “We started as strangers, and as we started working on this project, we have become great friends,” she said.
Mendoza said they researched the location, including the competitors and population. Next, we created a Canva presentation that included the following slides: the problem, the proposed solution, targeted customer the business would impact, menu, the team, branding, startup costs, monthly costs, revenue model, advertising, future locations, etc.
They also worked on a script and practiced until they could recite it from memory. “We even had our logo printed on white t-shirts to wear for the judges,” she continued.
On December 4 all class members were required to present to the judging panel in various Zoom breakout rooms for a grade. “We presented to two different panels within 30 minutes of each other. We accomplished the goal and felt really good about it,” she said.
They tallied the scores. On Wednesday, December 6, during a Zoom awards ceremony, it was announced that Necha and Peyton received a first-place score for Josh Thompson's class. They won $500 total - $250 each. They were invited to participate and pitch their 4-minute business idea in the US Bank Pitch-Offer - the event was the following day and included the additional assignment of creating and presenting a 1-minute elevator pitch. She said that night, they went to work to refine their presentation and elevator pitch until 10:30 p.m.
On Thursday, December 7 at noon, they gathered in a medium-sized ballroom at the ISU Alumni Center by Holt Arena. Necha said they went in very confident with their logoed t-shirts and color-coordinated blazers, “the finishing touches for our fun and energetic presentation.”
They presented to three different panels consisting of three judges. “It was an amazing experience! I am so grateful that we got to participate,” Mendoza said.
She said once they were done, they finally relaxed and started memorizing their elevator pitch. Elevator pitches started at 4:15 p.m. where four judges listened to the pitches. They all waited in line until they got to the front. The judges gave students 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 poker chips based on how well they presented. “Once we were done, we got in another line to pitch repeatedly until all the poker chips were given out.” They counted their chips and turned them into the check-in table, where they were given one dollar for each poker chip. “We earned $82 cash, splitting the money evenly,” she said.
Around 5 p.m. the winners were announced where they won first place.
“We were shocked, considering we went up against so many intelligent and amazing students. Keep in mind, some students who are in senior-level business classes worked on their pitches all semester, whereas we put ours together in a matter of five weeks,” Necha said.
She said she’s very proud of all of their hard work. “What an accomplishment! I am so proud of my partner, Peyton — her future is bright!”
