Five years ago, Sean Dowd had a simple idea inspired by the small screen.
As a member of Ridgefield’s Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC), he wondered what might happen if the town hosted its own homespun version of Shark Tank. On the long-running ABC reality show, budding entrepreneurs pitch their businesses in pursuit of funding and mentorship.
In the Ridgefield version, local entrepreneurs could pitch bold ideas to seasoned industry leaders for the chance to win a Chamber of Commerce gift card. And the type of shark had to be changed, naturally. Enter:Tiger Shark Tank.
With more than three decades of experience in investment banking, private equity, and entrepreneurship, Dowd has spent his career evaluating early-stage ventures. Bringing that expertise back to his own community felt like a natural next step.
“Tiger Shark Tank has become much more than a pitch competition—it’s a front door into Ridgefield’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Dowd says. “What excites me most is helping founders connect with mentors, investors, and real resources in one room, all in a single night.”
Late last fall, the competition returned for its fourth year, packing the Ridgefield Playhouse with a record-breaking audience. Tickets were free and had to be reserved in advance.
Prior to the show, a pre-event meet-and-greet connected attendees with state and local organizations that support small businesses, including AdvanceCT, CT Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), CT Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), Ridgefield High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), SCORE Western CT, and Tiger Shark Tank alum JobSnap.
The judging panel included leaders from across entrepreneurship, finance, and industry: Jay Walker, CEO of ApiJect Systems and founder of priceline.com; Chris Bishop, owner of North American Motor Car and co-founder of Blue Buffalo; Suni Harford, former president of Asset Management at UBS; and Frank Micalizzi, regional president at M&T Bank.
“The expertise, enthusiasm, and thoughtful feedback from the judges made the competition truly unforgettable,” says Dowd. “Not only for the competitors, but for the audience as well.”
Each presenter had 10 minutes to pitch their idea. The six participating businesses spanned consumer goods, AI innovation, social impact, and next-generation hospitality—an impressive snapshot of Ridgefield’s talent and ambition. They included:
CieCie — Mike McCartan
A hardworking protein drink designed specifically for women. Inspired by his daughters, both Ridgefield High School field hockey players, McCartan formulated CieCie to support the nutritional needs of female athletes and active women.
ciecieprotein.com
Cloudy Lane Bakery — Danielle LeBlanc
Handcrafted “Cloud Bars” that prove indulgence and clean eating can coexist. Made without gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, or seed oils, LeBlanc’s treats reflect her passion for health, flavor, and feel-good baking.
cloudylane.co
ReachCopilot — Arun Thachi
An AI-powered marketer built for—and inspired by—Main Street. ReachCopilot helps small businesses compete with big brands through accessible tools that simplify and strengthen digital marketing.
reachcopilot.com
Aqxle — Bharad Ramesh
AI agents designed to automate legacy marketing workflows. Already used by brands including Unilever, Lenovo, and iHeart, Aqxle helps companies bring media operations in-house with speed and precision.
aqxle.ai
A Dry Heat — Amelia Falco
A mission-driven hospitality company reimagining restaurant careers and business models. Currently in its seed stage, A Dry Heat is building a scalable, community-minded approach to dining and seeking early investors.
Lead the Change — Max Nadoraski, Ridgefield High School student
A fashion-meets-philanthropy brand that donates 20 percent of proceeds to SPHERE, supporting adults with disabilities. Nadoraski’s project has already earned national attention for its heart and impact.
leadthechangeshop.com
“The evening was such a celebration of Ridgefield’s energy, creativity, and community spirit,” Dowd says. “Seeing so many people come together to cheer on local entrepreneurs was very inspiring.”
After the presentations were complete, the judges deliberated and voted on their top three:
Mike McCartan’s CieCie took first place.
“We didn’t want to just add more protein—we wanted smarter protein,” McCartan says. “By infusing leucine and glycine, CieCie is designed so every gram delivers more benefit for women. As a father of athletic daughters, that motivation is personal for me—and I’m grateful to Tiger Shark Tank for letting me spotlight CieCie.”
Danielle LeBlanc’s Cloudy Lane Bakery earned the runner-up spot, with Arun Thachi’s ReachCopilot rounding out the top three.
Each winner received a Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce gift card, with the ECDC awarding a total of $5,000.
From the pre-show mixer to the final round of applause, the evening underscored Ridgefield’s growing identity as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Tiger Shark Tank continues to grow as a signature community event,” says Bob Knight, ECDC chairperson. “It brings together business leaders, investors, and dreamers. This competition proves that innovation thrives right here in Ridgefield.”
The fifth annual Tiger Shark Tank is already in the works—and promises to be the biggest yet. More details will be announced this summer.
Tiger Shark Tank extends its gratitude to the official sponsors whose support made the night possible: Fairfield County Bank, Keller Williams, Legacy Media Productions, McCue Studio Productions, M&T Bank, Patina Rentals, Purkiss Capital, Reynolds Rowella, INRidgefield, The Ridgefield Playhouse, and the Ridgefield High School Business Program. Their partnership helped create an evening that highlighted community collaboration at its best.