The creators of reality TV programs “Shark Tank” and “The Voice” have now produced “America’s Greatest Makers”, which features two leading instructors from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business (Berkeley-Haas).
The series debuted on April 5, 2016, and the participants spent time in San Francisco and Los Angeles to compete.
Executive Director of the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship, Andre Marquis, and Mark Searle, Senior Fellow at the Lester Center, will guide the contestants in forming investment strategies to fund a wearable smart device. The technology will be based upon the Intel Curie, a computer about the size of a coin that is designed for wearable technology such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.
The show will feature 24 teams of investors vying for $1 million to fund the creation of several devices – such as one to prevent a dog from running away, and another that helps those recovering from a stroke. Sharing a long partnership with Intel compelled Marquis and Searle to participate in the production. Berkeley-Haas has in the past hosted the Intel Global Challenge and the Intel ‘Make it Wearable‘ competition.
It will feature the requisite reality show competition celebrity judges such as former LA Laker Shaquille O’Neal and Mayim Bialik, neuroscientist and actress.
Marquis said of Berkeley-Haas’ involvement in the show:
“[The partnership] will help Intel build the pipeline of innovation for the Curie Module… It’s going to be a mesmerizing show. I hope all our aspiring Berkeley-Haas innovators and entrepreneurs get a chance to watch it.”