The Sharks Garage: Where the Next Generation of Founders Begins

Last summer marked a major milestone for Sparknify. In its inaugural year, Baby Shark Tank brought middle school students into the world of entrepreneurship—many for the very first time. What started as an experiment quickly became a powerful proof point: young students, when given the right environment, mentorship, and confidence, can think like founders.

Building on the success of that first year, Sparknify is taking the next step forward.

This year, in addition to continuing the middle school program, Sparknify is introducing a startup bootcamp designed specifically for high school students. With this expansion, we are also rebranding the program from Baby Shark Tank to The Sharks Garage — a name that reflects both growth and ambition.

Why “The Sharks Garage”?

In Silicon Valley, the garage is more than a physical space—it’s a symbol.

Some of the most legendary companies in the world began in garages: places where curiosity met constraint, where bold ideas were tested with limited resources, and where founders learned by building. One of the most well-known examples is Steve Jobs, who—together with Steve Wozniak—built the first Apple computers in a suburban garage in Los Altos. That humble garage became the starting point of a company that would go on to reshape personal computing, music, and mobile technology.

The garage represents experimentation, resilience, and the courage to start before you’re ready.

The Sharks Garage carries that same spirit.

It is a place where young founders are encouraged to explore ideas, take risks, and transform imagination into action. Whether students are sketching their first concept or preparing to launch a real product, the garage mindset reminds them that every great company starts somewhere.

Two Cohorts, One Founder Mindset

Middle School Cohort: Building on a Strong Foundation

The middle school program will continue this year, carrying forward the momentum from last summer’s successful launch. With insights gained from the inception year, Sparknify has refined the curriculum, strengthened the coaching team, and expanded the mentor network.

Students will be guided through ideation, teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation—developing confidence and creative thinking in a hands-on, supportive environment.

High School Cohort: From Ideas to Execution

The newly introduced high school cohort is designed for more mature young founders who are ready to go beyond ideation.

These students will work on sharpening real business ideas, validating concepts, and exploring execution strategies. With access to Silicon Valley mentors—many of whom actively mentor and advise real startup founders—participants will gain exposure to how startups actually operate in the real world.

This cohort is for students who are curious not just about what to build, but how to build it.

Why Parents See Real Value in The Sharks Garage

For parents, The Sharks Garage is not about pushing children to start companies early—it is about teaching them how to think, communicate, and build confidence in real-world settings. Entrepreneurship provides a practical framework for developing skills that are rarely emphasized in traditional classrooms, such as decision-making under uncertainty, collaboration with peers, and learning from failure without fear.

Throughout the program, students practice articulating ideas clearly, listening to feedback, and iterating based on what they learn. They gain exposure to mentors who model professionalism, curiosity, and resilience, helping students see how adults navigate challenges in meaningful careers. This experience often leads to greater self-confidence, stronger communication skills, and a clearer sense of agency—qualities that benefit students regardless of whether they pursue entrepreneurship in the future.

Parents also appreciate that the program is structured, guided, and age-appropriate. Students are supported by experienced coaches and mentors in a collaborative environment that values growth over competition. The goal is not perfection, but progress—helping students become thoughtful, capable problem-solvers who are comfortable taking initiative and ownership of their ideas.

Mentorship Rooted in Silicon Valley

A defining strength of The Sharks Garage is its mentor community. Students learn directly from professionals embedded in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem—mentors who understand what it takes to move from idea to execution.

By working closely with these mentors, students gain practical insight, honest feedback, and inspiration drawn from real entrepreneurial journeys.

Looking Ahead

With The Sharks Garage, Sparknify is creating a unified pathway for young founders—from middle school exploration to high school execution. Both cohorts share the same core philosophy: entrepreneurship is not just about startups, but about learning how to think, decide, and build with confidence.

We are excited to work with both groups of young founders this year and to continue shaping a new generation of creators, builders, and problem-solvers.

Registration is now open.

We look forward to welcoming the next class into The Sharks Garage.