MSU Students Land Shark Tank Deal for Unbreakable Shoelaces

Innovative product aims to keep athletes safe after sports careers ended due to injury.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:40pm

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A close-up, high-contrast photograph of a pair of athletic shoes with tightly knotted, unbreakable shoelaces, conceptually representing the innovative product designed by Michigan State University students to prevent sports-related injuries.Innovative shoelaces developed by MSU students aim to keep athletes safe and secure on the field.East Lansing Today

Two Michigan State University engineering students, whose sports careers were cut short by injury, have landed a deal on Shark Tank for their innovative shoelace product that never comes untied. The students developed the unbreakable laces to help keep athletes safe after their own experiences with sports-related injuries.

Why it matters

The students' story highlights how personal experiences can drive innovation, especially in the sports and athletic equipment space. Their Shark Tank deal showcases the potential for student entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into successful businesses that can make a real impact on athlete safety and performance.

The details

After their own sports careers ended due to injury, the MSU students set out to design a shoelace that would stay securely tied and prevent tripping hazards for athletes. Their patented lace design uses a specialized locking mechanism that keeps the laces tight and prevents them from becoming undone, even during intense physical activity.

  • The students pitched their product on Shark Tank in early 2026.
  • They landed a deal with one of the Sharks shortly after their appearance on the show.

The players

Jada Wilkins

A senior engineering student at Michigan State University who co-created the unbreakable shoelace product after her own sports career was cut short by injury.

Ethan Nguyen

Jada Wilkins' fellow MSU engineering student and co-founder of the unbreakable shoelace startup.

Shark Tank

The popular entrepreneurial reality TV show where the MSU students pitched and landed a deal for their innovative shoelace product.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to create something that would keep athletes safe and prevent the kinds of injuries we experienced. These laces are a game-changer.”

— Jada Wilkins, MSU Engineering Student

“Their passion for this product and their story really resonated with us. We're excited to help them bring this to market and make a difference for athletes.”

— Barbara Corcoran

What’s next

The students plan to use the Shark Tank investment to scale up production and distribution of their unbreakable shoelaces, with the goal of having the product available nationwide by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The MSU students' Shark Tank success demonstrates how student innovators can turn personal experiences into impactful entrepreneurial ventures that improve safety and performance in the sports industry.