When theTaco Bell Foundation recently brought youthful entrepreneurs to Irvine to pitch their visions for a better future, it was more like a dolphin tank than “Shark Tank.”

The Foundation’s Ambition Accelerator wrapped up this week with 26 teams from 14 states receiving three days of advice and funding from the Foundation, which partnered with Taco Bell and Ashoka on the program.

Ashoka is an organization that attempts to bring about global change by supporting social entrepreneurs and studying what makes their projects successful.

Its representatives at the Ambition Accelerator supplied the image of the dolphin tank, according to Jennifer Bradbury, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation.

“It basically is a social impact accelerator program that supports and champions young innovators in their pursuits to have change, tackle inequities and be the leaders of our future,” she said in a phone interview.

The competition took place on Monday at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, across the street from Taco Bell headquarters. She described the first part of the competition as like a science fair.

Competitors met with Taco Bell employees, franchisees and vendors. After a vote for audience choice, the top five teams gave their pitch.

The winner was Sparkle Whitaker, 23-year-old founder of The Onyx Incubator, a program that help youth in Cook County, Ill. who have experienced incarceration prepare for life after high school. Her team member was unable to attend the summit, according to the foundation.

Whitaker took the top prize of $25,000. All the other teams received $1,500 seed money.

Their ideas centered around four main thermes, according to a news release: mental health for teens; youth education and development; sustainable futures; and using technology for good.

Participants included Equity Reach Healthcare, active in South Los Angeles, and Tints Streetwear, active in Los Angeles.

Bradbury called the participants inspiring.

“It really makes me confident that even though there are so many big issues are world is facing right now, we are going to be OK with these young people focused on what they’re focusing on.”

The Taco Bell Foundation’s mission includes raising funds for Live Más Scholarships and grants through a round-up program in Taco Bell restaurants.

“Our average donation is 45 cents, and that has turned into more than $30 million that we’ve raised this year,” said Bradbury.