Please join us in congratulating the winner of the 2024 Shark Tank of Wellness Competition: Sofia Sanchez! Last month at the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) in Scotland, Sofia and two other entrepreneurial innovators, Aimar Diaz and Evi Vermeêren, presented their business ideas to our esteemed Wellness Sharks, Karen Campbell (Chiva-Som International Health Resorts), Mia Kyricos (Kyricos & Associates LLC) and Frank Pitsikalis (Agilysys). All three finalists received an all-expenses-paid trip to the GWS in St Andrews, Scotland.
Sofia won the top prize ($5,000) with her innovation, Bond-Sai, a modular, plant-like structure supporting mental wellness by allowing people to connect and check in from anywhere, while also functioning as a stylish lamp. View her video submission below.
Winning the second place price ($3,000), Evi presented Yogism, an innovative yoga app that uses AI and algorithms to offer personalized coaching, real-time feedback and injury prevention, addressing the growing demand for accessible and effective wellness solutions.
Earning the third-place prize ($2,000), Aimar presented Radical Truth, a card game that educates players about the prevalence and impact of misinformation, empowering them to recognize and resist it in real life to encourage a more evidence-based communications and decision-making.
Submissions for the 2025 Shark Tank of Wellness to be held in November 2025 in Abu Dhabi will be accepted starting December 10, 2024.
Meet the Finalists
Amy (Sofia) Sanchez
Sofia Sanchez is passionate about helping people learn something new every day. She was born and raised in Guatemala City, and has represented her country as an athlete. She is also part of the bowling team at the university she attends, SCAD. She graduated in advertising and branding in 2024, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in creative business leadership.
Evi Vermeêren
Evi Vermeêren is a a lecturer in development at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. With a passion for programming and innovative technologies, she’s had the opportunity to work with a talented team to create Yogism, a yoga app powered by artificial intelligence. The app personalizes yoga routines based on individual user needs and progress, combining wellness with AI-driven customization. She is honored to be one of the three finalists of the Global Wellness Summit and excited to present their project.
Aimar Diaz
Aimar Diaz, originally from Venezuela and raised in the U.S., recently earned an MFA in Advertising from SCAD. With a strong background in dual-language education and degrees in International Studies and Spanish, Aimar brings diverse perspectives to her creative work. Passionate about using design to educate, inspire, and foster meaningful change, she aims to create impactful solutions that positively influence society through innovative advertising strategies.