Ready to Swim in the Shark Tank?

Take the plunge with Kansas City sharks during Think Big Kansas City's own version of Shark Tank.

It's nibbling season, entrepreneurs.  And no, I'm not talking about Discovery Channel's Shark Week. 

I'm talking about the premiere of Shark Tank -- ABC's third season of the make-it-or-break-it reality TV show that follows the business ventures of America's own aspiring entrepreneurs and their determination to obtain funding from high-power investors (also known as The Sharks).

This season's Sharks include Mark Cuban, Jeff Foxworthy, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, infomercial industry pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion icon Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O'Leary.  Throughout the season, these Sharks will use their expertise, contacts and, of course, their money, to make investment commitments to a group of hard-working, go-getting entrepreneurs.  But this season is different.  One Shark is willing to part with $4 million of his own money to help one entrepreneur reach the American Dream.  So get ready, entrepreneurs, because the season premiere of Shark Tank airs Friday, March 25th at 7:00 CT on ABC.

But what happens two months after Shark Tank's premiere may excite you even more: it's your chance to get involved in Kansas City's own version of Shark Tank.  Think Big Kansas City, the Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups is featuring its own panel of VC's for a Shark Tank-style business plan pitch.  Three entrepreneur finalists at TBKC will pitch their business plans and then be critiqued by KC's own venture capitalists and angel investors.  The intense, emotionally-charged atmosphere of the Shark Tank reality show is coming to Kansas City and it's something that you do not want to miss!

Tune into Shark Tank on Friday and partake in Kansas City's own Shark Tank competition at Think Big Kansas City, coming to the Kansas City Convention Center on May 24th!  You're sure to get hooked one way or another.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City's early-stage startup accelerator and business incubator.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on Helium, eZine and BrooWaha.  Follow Allison! @AllisonThinkBig