2nd Annual Bear Tank Competition
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Join us for an exciting Shark Tank-style competition hosted by the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at UCR. Undergraduate students are invited to showcase their innovative research and projects, with the chance to win prizes and gain valuable presentation experience. Participants will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and an audience, aiming to secure funding and make an impactful impression.
Who will survive the Bear Tank?
We are thrilled to invite you to BCOE's Family Day during UCR Homecoming. As an alum of the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, this is your chance to watch our talented students pitch their innovative engineering projects in a Shark Tank-style competition.
What to expect
- Between six and ten participating students or student groups showcase cutting-edge projects and compete for prizes.
- Networking opportunities with faculty, students, and fellow alumni.
- Fun for the whole family!
- Don't miss out on this exciting event, and cheer on the next generation of engineers!
The proposal submission phase closed Monday, October 13, 2025.
2025 Bear Tank Details for Participants
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Who Can Participate
All currently enrolled BCOE undergraduate students. Your submissions should align with your discipline and career aspirations. Please note that proprietary research is not eligible.
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How to Participate
To join this exciting opportunity, complete the online proposal form by Monday, October 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Only applications received before the deadline will be considered for review.
Students will receive an email confirmation once their submission is complete. A committee will review all submissions. Students whose proposals are accepted for Bear Tank must be available for a rehearsal the week before the competition and for the entire length of the competition on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Students whose submissions are not accepted will receive an email notification.Please email any questions to hannah.tomlinson@ucr.edu.
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Rules and Guidelines
There is no registration fee, making this opportunity accessible to all BCOE undergraduate students.
For group projects, please ensure to include the names of all participating students, with a maximum of four presenters.
Proposals that are still in the conceptual stage will not be considered.
We prioritize projects that feature working prototypes or initial testing plans, demonstrating tangible progress.
Participants must attend rehearsal the week before the competition.
Participants must stay for the entirety of the competition.The audience will select the first, second, and third-place winning proposals.
2025 Prize Amounts
First place: $1,500
Second place: $1,000
Third place: $500Prizes will be distributed for project materials during the 2025-2026 academic year. Winners will receive instructions on how to submit their purchase requests.
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Competition Format
Experience the thrill of a Shark Tank-style competition, where you will pitch your innovative projects to secure funding. The audience will play a crucial role in selecting the winning proposal.
You will have 10 minutes to make your case, which includes a 3-minute Q&A session. Your presentation should consist of at least three dynamic slides covering the following sections: Introduction, Research & Prototype, and Funding Needs & Purpose.
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Support and Preparation
In preparation for the Bear Tank competition, BCOE Student Success Coordinator, Mai Temraz, will provide drop-in coaching sessions. The session dates and times will be provided to the selected participants.
Student participants and committee members will attend a rehearsal one week before the competition.
