Shark Tank spotlight

One idea can change everything

For over 100 years, participants in the Perkins International Educational Leadership Program (ELP) have traveled from across the globe to take part in an immersive education experience on our campus.

Perkins Shark Tank is part of the ELP experience: an opportunity to design an innovative project, work with a mentor to develop a pitch, and present to investors with the power to turn a big dream into a big change for children. 

Perkins Shark Tank matches innovative ideas to help children with disabilities learn with investment capital to make these ideas a reality. These leaders return home with world class training and a supportive global network, ready to teach children, change policy, and help build inclusive education for all children. 

Shark Tank 2023

For 6 years, the generosity of Shark Tank donors has provided 54 grants to 25 countries. Here is a quick overview on our current class’s projects.

portrait of Beula Cristy where is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

CVI Resources and Support: Transforming Lives

Beula (India)

Beula will develop a resource center at LVPEI to provide training, intervention, and advocacy for children and families with Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment.

Portrait of Dimitra who is posing outside in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

A Model Preschool Classroom for Students with Deafblindness and Multiple Disabilities

Dimitra (Greece)

Dimitra plans to adapt a preschool classroom to make it accessible to to children with DB and MDVI while providing the tools, strategies, teaching materials, and trainings to students and staff for better inclusion in Greece.

portrait of Mary Grace who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

From Trail to Ties: Building Stronger Families

Mary Grace (Philippines)

Grace is planning a 2-day nature camp in a rural area of the Philippines to children and families with visual impairments and other disabilities to help bond as a family, empower parents, and share resources.

portrait of Mihir who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Touching People, Changing Lives

Mihir (India)

Mihir’s plans to provide skill development programs focused on vocational training for individuals with MDVI in rural areas in India.

portrait of Josely who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Providing Quality Education through a Mentorship Program

Josely (Guatemala)

Josely will develop a mentoring program for teachers and therapists to improve teaching methodology and to provide hands-on training to improve best practices for students with MDVI.

portrait of Susan who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Create the Way to Children with MDVI and DB for the Future Full of Hope

Susan (China)

Susan will create training material for parents and teachers in the areas of person centered planning, functional assessment, and total communication for students with MDVI and DB.

portrait of Pema who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Assistive Products: Transforming the Landscape of Access in Bhutan

Pema (Bhutan)

Pema will create an accessible learning environment for learners with disabilities in Bhutan through a collaborative approach. She’ll identify needs, fabricate assistive products, and train staff and families on how to use these products.

portrait of Vijay who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Organizing an International Conference for Children with MDVI

Dr. Vijay (India)

Vijay plans to gather parents, education professionals, government officials, health professionals, and community workers for a conference to meet and discuss the education and rehab of individuals with MDVI and DB.

portrait of Leory who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Effective Communication: A Key to Better Learning and a Brighter Future

Leory (Philippines)

Leory will bring the Perkins philosophy of “every child can communicate” to her school by providing support, training, and materials to promote communication skills for students with DB and MDVI.

portrait of Saul who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Every Child Can Learn. Let Me Show You How.

Saul (Mexico)

Saul will create a model school in Mexico focused on adapting classrooms, total communication, and classroom routines by bringing the idea that all children can learn and all children can communicate.

portrait of Srdan who is posing in a grassy courtyard on a sunny day.

Building Teacher Capacity Based on Experiences from the Perkins School for the Blind

Srdan (Serbia)

Srdan will provide training to special educators at his school in the areas of person centered planning, total communication, and functional assessment to provide better education for students with MDVI.

Group photo of 9 men and women of diverse backgrounds walking in Harvard Yard.