Pharrell's "Something in the Water" Partners with ODU
April 22, 2019
"Something in the Water" is partnering with Old Dominion University and Cox Communications to offer the first "SPLASH! Pitch Competition" from 2-4:30 p.m. April 26 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
The SPLASH! Pitch Competition is an opportunity for Virginia college student entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a panel of judges and receive startup funding.
"It's exciting to be a partner, and we knew from the outset that we wanted to focus on students across the Commonwealth," said Nancy Grden, executive director of ODU's Strome Entrepreneurial Center. "It all came together in a very opportunistic fashion."
Stephanie Walters, from singer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams' foundation From One Hand to AnOTHER, will emcee the event. The judges are rapper and songwriter Timbaland; Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith; and Nneka Chiazor, regional vice president of government and public affairs at Cox Communications.
Six finalists from Old Dominion, James Madison, Virginia Commonwealth and Virginia Wesleyan are presenting at the competition.
ODU electrical engineering student David Gonzalez will present his idea EasyDraft, which attempts to present engineering principles through the use of fun, engaging and educational video games. With a focus on teaching drafting to middle school students, the goal is to bring the untapped market of gameified learning to fruition.
Each finalist will have five minutes to pitch ideas, followed by a five-minute Q&A with the judges. Three prizes of $2,500 each will be awarded to competitors with the biggest social impact, boldest emerging technology application and best female founder.
To gain access to the competition, a "Something in the Water" festival wristband will be required.
"Something in the Water" is the first multi-day music festival and cultural experience sponsored by Williams in his hometown of Virginia Beach. The event runs April 26-28.
