Houston Independent School District students pitched original business concepts at the Hustle Tank competition at NRG Arena, presenting ventures they developed over several months through the G-Unity Business Lab. Students from six Houston ISD high schools participated in the Shark Tank-style event.

The G-Unity Business Lab is a partnership between Houston ISD and a foundation led by rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. The collaboration launched in 2021 with three schools and has since expanded to six. More than 800 students applied this year to take part in the competition.

For months, participants studied financial literacy and marketing and built full business concepts with guidance from mentors. "So many of our students say that they had never thought about how to even open a bank account, let alone how to open a business checking account, and that's huge," G-Unity executive director Elizabeth Martin said.

Patrice Allen, HISD Director of Special Programs, described the program's goals. "There's an equity gap that exists in the neighborhoods that these campuses are in," Allen said. "It's that whole idea that if you give a man to fish, he eats today but if you teach a man to fish, he eats for life."

Among the competitors was Irmani Garcia, an 11th grader whose team, The Reading Rose, paired personalized books with custom flower bouquets. "Certain people like me won't get this chance ever," Garcia said. "I have been in some rooms where people say to leave, some rooms where I don't belong. This is teaching me how to find my spot in the world."

The judging panel included Jackson along with leaders from the Astros Foundation, Metro, CenterPoint, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Three finalists were selected in real time, with each given 90 seconds on stage in front of Houston business leaders, investors, and a live arena audience. The competition ran from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at NRG Arena.

Winners received seed money and resources to help turn their ideas into companies, with prize money awarded to the top pitches. Applicants were required to complete a submission process and answer pitch questions on the Hustle Tank website in advance to be eligible. Tickets for the competition were sold to the public, with proceeds going to the G-Unity Foundation.