WORCESTER, Mass. - A group of students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute are in Minneapolis this weekend, competing in a Shark Tank-style national competition. 

They were chosen from hundreds of entries and are a top 25 finalist for the Schulze Entrepreneur Challenge. 

The students have a chance to win the first-place prize of $50,000 for their business venture called PAWE, or Portable Affordable Wheelchair Enhancer. 

The lightweight, easy-to-attach power-assist device is designed to help manual wheelchair users.

"So, we have a modular control system so people of different disabilities can use the PAWE and there's an attachment on the back that slides on and off and that just drives the bigger wheels and electrifies your wheelchair,” said WPI sophomore Antonio Marzoratti. “The core of this idea happened four years ago when me and my best friend were trying to just create something. And, you know, we made bracelets, we made t-shirts, and then we really wanted to focus on something that would make an impact for other people's lives." 

"It's a transformative experience where they connect, they'll get mentoring, keynote speakers, professional development workshops,” said Danielle Campeau, Associate Dean, Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, University of St. Thomas.  “So it really is an opportunity for these students to transform, to grow their own ideas as well as themselves." 

The three-day event, called e-Fest, will award a total of $220,000. 

Organizers said becoming one of the 25 finalist teams is an elite recognition in itself.