Tom Tom Founders Festival Invites Artists, Musicians, and Founders to Participate
Festival’s competitions offer thousands of dollars in prizes, investment, and grants
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (February 13, 2015) – Deadlines are approaching for opportunities to participate in Tom Tom’s numerous artistic, musical, and entrepreneurial programs. These competitions and showcases give founders a chance to put their work in front of potential funders, customers, fans, and collaborators. For some, the result will be cash prizes.
“Tom Tom is called a Founders Festival for a reason,” says Festival Director Paul Beyer. “Our core mission as a nonprofit is to catalyze new ventures and support founders. From our standpoint, these competitions are where the action is; new ideas getting connected to the resources to make them happen.”
WAYS TO TAKE PART
ART
Downtown Banner Competition
The Downtown Mall’s 18 lamppost banners are the canvas. Passers-by will vote during the Festival. First prize is $1,000 with a $500 prize for the top-voted student entry. Application is here. Deadline is February 25.
Fleaville
Over 60 of Charlottesville’s best crafts, art, and vintage vendors to sell their wares at Picnic Day in Lee Park, Saturday, April 18. Application is here. Deadline is February 28th.
MUSIC
Band Nominations
Three slots are still open at Tom Tom’s block parties. The Festival is seeking public nominations. Application is here. Deadline is February 28.
Songwriter Competition
Original musicians from diverse genres, including hip hop, indie, electronic, folk, and bluegrass should apply to compete in Tom Tom’s Songwriter Competition. Application is here. Deadline is March 15.
INNOVATION
Super Demo
The best student innovations from 10 East Coast universities, including inventions, products, and discoveries, as well as more strictly entrepreneurial ideas. Panel of judges includes Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of reddit. Winning team will take $3,000 prize. Event will be held at The Old Metropolitan Hall on Saturday, April 18th at 1pm. Application is here. Deadline is March 1.
Crowdfunded Pitch Night
Launch local businesses. Winner takes crowdfunded prize or a spot in the i.Lab at U.Va, along with a $5,000 expense budget. Event will be held at The Jefferson Theater on Thursday, April 16th at 7pm. Application is here. Deadline is March 1.
Galant Challenge
A pitch competition is the jumping off point for connecting angel investors with U.Va. students and alumni. In 2014, over half a million dollars was offered to new ventures through this competition. Event will be held at The Paramount Theater on Friday, April 17th at 6pm. Application is here. Opens March 1. Closes March 20.
ABOUT TOM TOM FOUNDERS FESTIVAL
Tom Tom Founders Festival is a 501c3 nonprofit that hosts dozens of free events every year in Charlottesville, VA. Its mission is to celebrate and empower founders, who build creative, civic, and entrepreneurial ventures from scratch. In 2014, Tom Tom had attendance of over 22,600, showcasing 381 community organizations and creating an economic impact of $843,000 on the community of Charlottesville.