Sherwin-Williams, in partnership with 天天吃瓜鈥檚 Blackstone LaunchPad program, is sponsoring 鈥淚nnov8athon IV: Innov8 Paint!鈥� in order to 鈥渉ack the painting process鈥� and promote entrepreneurial thinking, creative prototyping and interdisciplinary collaboration among students in Northeast Ohio.
鈥淔or centuries, we have painted with what some refer to as 鈥榩ig hair on a stick,鈥欌€� said Victoria Scarborough, program director of external technology at Sherwin-Williams. 鈥淧ainting is a messy and time-consuming process from preparation to clean up. We are looking for creativity and collaboration to discover new processes and ideas for the painting industry.鈥�
This year鈥檚 Innov8athon will focus on specific problems and 鈥減aint points鈥� in the painting industry such as user fatigue, coverage rate, and shortcomings of current tools. Student participants will have the opportunity to try current tools and methods firsthand at the event.
After a brief 鈥淧ainting 101 workshop鈥� there will be workstations and various types of equipment ranging from painting supplies and drywall to microprocessors such as Raspberry Pi, available for use.
The 鈥淚nnov8 Paint!鈥� event will take place on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 天天吃瓜 State. Students from all universities, majors and backgrounds are invited to participate and will have the opportunity to learn from Sherwin-Williams.
鈥淲e are excited to have Sherwin-Williams鈥� support in sponsoring this creative, cross-campus event that will provide our students with the opportunity to 鈥榟ack鈥� and find solutions to recurring painting industry issues,鈥� said Julie Messing, executive director of 天天吃瓜 State鈥檚 Blackstone LaunchPad program.
Teams have the opportunity to win $2,000 and have their ideas translated into Sherwin-Williams鈥� products. Additionally, all students in attendance will receive a $25 Visa gift card for their participation.
For more information about Sherwin-Williams, visit
For more information about the Blackstone LaunchPad program at 天天吃瓜 State, visit www.kent.edu/blackstonelaunchpad.
###
Media Contacts:
Zach Mikrut, zmikrut@kent.edu, 330-672-6782
Kristin Anderson, kander63@kent.edu, 330-672-7907
