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 2025

For 9 years, the generosity of Shark Tank donors has provided more than 70 grants to over 35 countries. Here is a quick overview on our current class’s projects.

tati smiling
Casual portrait
Creating Opportunities in a World of the Invisible
Tatiana (argentina)

Tatiana will create inclusive opportunities for adults with disabilities, improving their access to services, employment, and social participation, as well as addressing the specific challenges of adult life. Through training for families, professionals, and organizations, it seeks to enhance the quality of life, and expand opportunities for young people and adults with disabilities and their families.

rukaiya smiling
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Vision Forward 360: Expanded Core Curriculum Training and Mentorship for Independence
rukaiya (india)

Rukaiya will develop training modules on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) for Schools and Universities to support students with visual impairments in inclusive settings. Additionally, she will launch a mentorship program aimed at helping students learn new career opportunities and acquire modern skills needed to thrive in today’s world.

headshot of jared
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Unlocking the Competencies of Deafblind learners: A Model for Inclusive Education in Kenya
jared (kenya)

Jared plans to establish a model classroom that will train teachers on communication strategies, class adaptations for Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairment, peer mentorship programs, develop an expanded core curriculum and empower parents/caregivers.

marcela smiling
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Words in progress: Building together communication for everyone
marcela (costa rica)

Marcela will empower students with complex communication needs and visual impairments to communicate independently using assistive technology. She will implement and provide training on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and literacy, in collaboration with families, teachers, and other professionals.

Joyce Ponciano-Villafania headshot
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LigtaSalita (“Ligtas” or safe, “Salita” or word): A community action towards communication at home, school, and in disasters
Joyce (philippines)

Joyce wants children with multiple disabilities to communicate using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) across daily activities at home, learning at school, and disaster preparedness activities at home, school, and community. She plans to coach parents, mentor teachers, and train a community’s disaster and emergency responders to achieve this.

Chencho Dem headshot
Casual portrait
Towards Inclusion: The Start of Deafblind Education in Bhutan
chencho (bhutan)

Chencho plans to kickstart a Deafblind program in Bhutan through creating a model classroom that will fully support the education of children with Deafblindness while also raising awareness on Deafblind education for teachers and parents.

saheb headshot
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Establishing the First Early Intervention Center for Children with Special Needs in Iran
saheb (iran)

Saheb plans to establish Iran’s first Early Intervention Center for children with special needs, offering unique educational and rehabilitation services, integrating parents, and aiming to change societal views on education, learning and communication with children with visual impairment and multiple disabilities.

Brinda Ajith headshot
Casual portrait
A Model Classroom for Children with Deafblindness & Multiple Disabilities
brinda (india)

Brinda will establish a model early intervention unit within her NGO to support children with deafblindness and multiple disabilities through specialized training for educators, social workers, and families to enhance early learning and social development for children aged 0-6, particularly in underserved communities.

Andrea Jiménez headshot
Casual portrait
conTACTO: Promoting Environments Rich in Communication
andrea (mexico)

Andrea’s goal is to raise awareness in the Ministry of Education about language deprivation in students with deafness, deafblindness, and multiple disabilities by promoting early intervention, specialized teacher training, and support for families and schools to foster communication-rich environments.

Ana Kraljić headshot
Casual portrait
Unpack the Curriculum: Accessible Learning for Every Student
ana (croatia)

Ana will develop theme-based curricula for students aged 7 to 10 who have multiple disabilities and come from diverse cultural backgrounds, emphasizing literacy, inclusive practices, and meaningful, age-appropriate activities. She will also facilitate a family support group to promote shared experiences and foster cross-cultural connections among families.

elp class of 2025 stand in front of howe smiling