Sharkninja Innovation Challenge
The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge
The future isn’t waiting — it’s being built by students bold enough to believe their ideas can change everything.
Challenge Overview
The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge invites student innovators, including STEM focused majors, to reimagine how we positively impact lives around the world. With SharkNinja and MassChallenge, finalists gain 8 weeks of hands-on support, including assistance with the patent application process, resources to test and build, and direct access to leaders who can help them move faster.
Over the course of the challenge, teams will prepare their ideas, which will culminate in a live pitch event in Boston in front of a panel of judges, including SharkNinja executives, investors, and tech experts. The best ideas will be awarded with cash prizes, mentorship, and more that fuel the next stage of growth.
A Message from SharkNinja's CEO
SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas shares why bold student ideas are at the heart of this challenge.
Key Dates
From application to live pitch, the SharkNinja Innovation Challenge is designed as a clear path for student innovators: apply, get selected, join the community of innovators, and prepare to present your solution at the finale.
Each milestone builds toward showcasing your idea to SharkNinja executives.
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
Click below to register for a Virtual Office Hours session to ask questions, review eligibility, get pitch tips, and meet other applicants.
Your Program Journey
Finalists will be selected in January 2026 and present a live pitch at the Innovation Challenge Finale event in Boston in March. Over the course of 8 weeks, finalists work directly with innovation, marketing, and pitch experts to sharpen their ideas, file patent applications, and prepare for the finale.
Curriculum & Mentorship
Guidance from experienced leaders is built into the program, giving every team a chance to strengthen both their solution and their story.
Travel & Lodging
Each finalist team receives full coverage for flights and hotel accommodations for the live finale event in Boston.
Pre-Finale Dinner
A special exclusive dinner experience with SharkNinja partner executives and fellow finalists, offering unique networking, mentorship, and celebration opportunities.
Prototyping Grants
$5,000 in prototyping grants will be awarded to each of the finalist teams to advance product development and prepare for the final pitch event.
Cash Awards for Winners
The top three individuals or teams will be honored with substantial cash prizes:
- Grand Prize: $25,000 and enhanced support from SharkNinja experts.
- 2nd Place: $15,000 recognizing outstanding innovation and execution.
- 3rd Place: $10,000 acknowledging creative impact and potential.
Golden Ticket (Special Recognition)
In addition to the top three prize winners, SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas holds a Golden Ticket – a special honor he may choose to award to one finalist team during the live finale.
This recognition is not guaranteed, but if and when awarded, it represents a unique endorsement from SharkNinja’s leadership, unlocking exclusive mentorship, enhanced visibility, and tailored support.
Your Challenges
The SharkNinja Innovation Challenge invites student-led startups and early-career innovators to submit solutions that tackle three priority categories, aligning with SharkNinja’s commitment to problem-solving innovation – from advancing environmental stewardship to universal design to reimagining everyday experiences in the home.
Consumer Problem Solving Innovations
How might your solution transform everyday problems into extraordinary solutions and empower consumers by delivering innovative, practical solutions that address real pain points—both known and undiscovered? By offering breakthrough, consumer-centric products and experiences, we strive to enhance everyday living, in and outside the home.
This open-ended challenge welcomes inventive hardware, IoT, software, or business model ideas that embody SharkNinja’s identity as both a consumer problem-solving force and an innovation powerhouse.
Whether it’s making cleaning effortless, transforming the way we cook, reimagining beauty and wellness, or unlocking new possibilities in home living, participants are encouraged to tackle problems that matter most to consumers and design bold, breakthrough solutions.
This open-ended challenge welcomes inventive hardware, IoT, software, or business model ideas that embody SharkNinja’s identity as both a consumer problem-solving force and an innovation powerhouse.
Whether it’s making cleaning effortless, transforming the way we cook, reimagining beauty and wellness, or unlocking new possibilities in home living, participants are encouraged to tackle problems that matter most to consumers and design bold, breakthrough solutions.
Challenge 1
Sustainability and Circularity
How might your solution reimagine products and packaging to advance environmental stewardship, reduce climate impact, and extend the life of materials and products?
Packaging Innovation: How might your solution support packaging that’s more responsibly sourced, right sized, recyclable or compostable while protecting products, driving shelf appeal, and delivering a great unboxing?
Climate & Energy: How can your solution leverage advanced materials, smart design, and edge intelligence to cut carbon impact, reduce energy use, accelerate renewables, and exceed global standards?
Waste Reduction & Circularity: How might your solution extend product life, enable repair, refurbishment, and circular business models so fewer products end up in landfills?
Climate & Energy: How can your solution leverage advanced materials, smart design, and edge intelligence to cut carbon impact, reduce energy use, accelerate renewables, and exceed global standards?
Waste Reduction & Circularity: How might your solution extend product life, enable repair, refurbishment, and circular business models so fewer products end up in landfills?
Challenge 2
Universal Design
How might your solution make products, packaging, and experiences more inclusive and accessible for all consumers, regardless of age, ability, or background?
This challenge seeks innovations that lower barriers and create better experiences, from adaptive product design and intuitive interfaces to accessible packaging, universal usability, and solutions that expand access to SharkNinja’s innovations for more people worldwide.
This challenge seeks innovations that lower barriers and create better experiences, from adaptive product design and intuitive interfaces to accessible packaging, universal usability, and solutions that expand access to SharkNinja’s innovations for more people worldwide.
Challenge 3
How to Apply
Already have a MassChallenge Startup Profile?
If you already have a MassChallenge Startup profile login here, and you will be directed to the SharkNinja Application!
New to MassChallenge?
Click here to create your startup profile and look for the email in your inbox to verify your profile on MassChallenge.
Once your profile is verified, select ‘Programs’ from your MassChallenge dashboard:
On the ‘Programs’ tab, scroll down to the SharkNinja challenge and select ‘Get Started Now’.
Click ‘Apply as Startup’ and start your application!
Still Need Help?
Check out our Virtual Office Hours below, or send an email to programs@masschallenge.org.
Virtual Office Hours
APPLICATION CLINICS & SUPPORT
MassChallenge will be hosting virtual office hours and application clinics throughout the challenge cycle.
Click below to register for Virtual Office Hours to ask questions, review eligibility, get pitch tips, and meet other applicants.
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS
October 29, 2025: 12 PM EST– 1 PM EST
Need more info? Send an email to programs@masschallenge.org