A&T Student to Participate in Inaugural SXSW Pitch Event
By Renee Douglas / 03/06/2024 College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- 4-H and Youth Development News
- Academic Affairs News
- Accounting and Finance News
- Administration and Instructional Services News
- Admissions News
- Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education News
- Agricultural and Natural Resources News
- All News
- Alumni News
- Animal Sciences News
- Applied Engineering Technology News
- Athletics News
- Biology News
- Built Environment News
- Business and Finance News
- Business Education News
- CAES News
- CAHSS News
- Chancellor's Speaker Series
- Chancellors Town Hall Series
- Chemical, Biological, and Bio Engineering News
- Chemistry News
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering News
- COE News
- COED News
- College News
- Community and Rural Development News
- Computational Science and Engineering News
- Computer Science News
- Computer Systems Technology News
- Cooperative Extension News
- COST News
- COST News
- Counseling News
- Criminal Justice News
- Deese College News
- Economics News
- Educator Preparation News
- Electrical and Computer Engineering News
- Employees News
- Energy and Environmental Systems News
- English Department News
- Family and Consumer Sciences News
- Graphic Design Technology News
- Hairston College News
- Headlines News
- History & Political Science News
- Honors College News
- Human Resources News
- Industrial and Systems Engineering News
- Information Technology Services News
- Innovation Station News
- Journalism & Mass Communication
- JSNN News
- Kinesiology News
- Leadership Studies and Adult Education News
- Liberal Studies News
- Library News
- Magazine News
- Management News
- Marketing News
- Mathematics News
- Mechanical Engineering News
- Media Spotlight News
- Natural Resources and Environmental Design News
- News Categories
- Nursing News
- Psychology News
- Research News
- Social Work News
- Student Affairs News
- Students News
- The Graduate College News
- Transportation & Supply Chain
- University Advancement News
- Visual & Performing Arts News
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 6, 2024) – A North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University student will be an alternate for the 16th annual South by Southwest (SXSW) inaugural Student Startup Pitch Competition.
Jeremiah Smith, a third-year mechanical engineering student from Bowie, Maryland, is set to participate in the SXSW event scheduled for mid-March in Austin, Texas. This competition is designed to showcase innovative technology to a panel consisting of industry experts, prominent media personalities, venture capitalists and angel investors.
Smith will introduce his first business venture, BLKHRZN, otherwise known as “Black Horizon,” which aims to improve and support Black representation in the gaming industry. He hopes to attract investor support and expand his network at the event.
“It’s going to be fun. I’m going to have a really good experience getting some people who are interested in what the issues of diversity are within the gaming world and how to address them,” he said.
Smith intends to connect with at least three potential investors, secure one, and establish a partnership with a sponsor to gain a foothold in the industry.
This year marks the debut of a student startup category at SXSW, offering a platform for early-stage technology startups to present their products and services. Smith will be the only student from a historically Black college or university competing in this category.
Beyond Smith’s business venture, he has made significant contributions to esports and community initiatives. Over the past year, he has participated in pitch competitions and accelerators such as HBCUFI, Pitch HU, and now SXSW, solidifying his presence in the industry.
Additionally, Smith has dedicated four years to the nonprofit known as “Cxmmunity,” which focuses on developing and giving opportunities for minority youth and students in esports and gaming. He has been actively involved in supporting N.C A&T State University’s Esports Program since 2021 and has taken fellow students to the Mountain Dew Real Change Challenge.
Media Contact Information: uncomm@ncat.edu