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The 2025 Shark Challenge delivered a thrilling conclusion as ’s Main Campus team took top honors with "Pathway," an innovative opioid recovery app. Drexel University, who won the competition in 2021, finished in second place in the closely contested competition.

The annual Shark Challenge, hosted by , invites university teams to propose forward-thinking business ideas that address real-world economic and societal challenges, especially those facing Southeastern Ģ����Ƶ. This year’s entries tackled two significant issues: opioid recovery and regional economic redevelopment.

Ģ����Ƶ University’s winning concept, "Pathway," impressed judges with its focused approach to addressing the opioid crisis using accessible digital tools. The team, made up of Parker Manson, Maxwell James, and Nick Meldrum, developed the app to support recovery in hard-hit communities, earning high marks for innovation, feasibility and impact.

Drexel University’s team followed closely with their "OH Route 7 Redevelopment," proposal, which centered on revitalizing economic corridors through infrastructure improvements and community investment. Though they finished second, their proposal was praised for its comprehensive analysis and strategic vision.

Maureen Breen, of , described Shark Challenge as “a very well-designed competition that stretches students beyond the usual business cases into public policy, government, and societal challenges.” She noted that the competition’s inclusion of professional voice coaching added a unique layer of development for participants’ presentation skills.

Now in its tenth year, the Shark Challenge continues to serve as a platform for exploring the intersection of business, policy and community development.

According to Darci Wagner of Ģ����Ƶ University’s College of Business, who has served as a faculty coach since the event’s founding in 2016, the challenge empowers participants to explore economic development strategies specific to underrepresented areas like Southeastern Ģ����Ƶ.

“Through this experience,” Wagner said, “participants gain valuable problem-solving and business skills that prepare them for real-world challenges.”

Michael Schor, the event’s producer, emphasized the collaborative nature of the Shark Challenge. The (CIC) of Belmont County, Ģ����Ƶ, and the (ECDI) provided educational guidance throughout the process, offering expert insights and feedback to all participating teams.

Major support for the event came from Ģ����Ƶ and the Office of the Dean of Ģ����Ƶ University Eastern, both long-time champions of innovation and economic advancement in the region.

As the 2025 Shark Challenge concludes, organizers celebrate not only the winning team but also the continued impact of the competition. Each year, it brings fresh ideas to the table and reinforces the value of investing in regional development through creativity, research, and collaborative problem-solving.