The “Shark Tank Gilroy” competition is finally here and takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Old City Hall, located at 7400 Monterey St. in Gilroy. The event is free and open to the public.
The competition, brainchild of Gilroy Downtown Business Association President James Suner and modeled after a popular TV show, will see aspiring business owners pitch their commercial visions to a trio of experienced local business people for the grand prize of a grant of $50,000 in cash from the GDBA. The winner will move into one of Gilroy’s vacant downtown buildings and receive mentoring from a crack team of local business entrepreneurs.
Suner is keeping a tight lid on exactly how many competitors will make the final cut and get to pitch their idea live Saturday night. He has, however, released the complete list of potential new business owners and their ideas. One will get the chance to become a reality.
•Diane Carini – Socialize, “an elegant gathering place for teens, adults and seniors”
•Elena Casteneda – Haute Couture Designer Resale Shop, an “upscale resale shop”
•James Gargiulo – Spectrum Accounting, “accounting and bookkeeping”
•Tawnya Lancaster – The Wild Pizza Kitchen, a “farm-to-table pizza cafe that celebrates local food makers, wineries and microbreweries”
•Richard Legends – Raw Legends Co., a “retail clothing” store
•Joe Lima – Innovation Office South Valley (iOSV), a “membership-based space for business people to collaborate, create and work”
•David McBirney – Pappy’s Bar, a “teen recreation and learning center”
•Olivier Musy-Verdel – Holey Rollin’ Donuts, a “gourmet donut shop”
•Heather Pacheco and Janie Ramos – Shag Beauty Bar, a “blow dry bar”
•Heriberto Soto – Garlic Alley and Brewery, a “garlic-themed restaurant with microbrewery”
•John Taft – The Maxima Group, offering “management consulting services”
•Kori Westfall – Pipe Dream Skate Complex, a “skate sport pro-shop with a small skating facility available for lessons and parties”
•Brenden Zimmer – Plant Your Root Down, a “juice bar and community nutrition center”
