Market Bridge Challenge Kicks Off March 29 at Strome Center

March 24, 2016

The Market Bridge Challenge, an event co-sponsored by the Old Dominion University Center for Enterprise Innovation's (CEI) grant program, GOV2COM, and the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, will have its kickoff event on March 29.

The first-ever event pits teams of government and defense contractors, university faculty or students in competitions designed to test business savvy and ingenuity. The three challenges that make up the competition will be launched at Old Dominion's Strome Entrepreneurial Center from 5 to 7 p.m.

To attend the kickoff event, please register ONLINE. Attendance is not required to participate in the challenges.

A participant or team is welcome to join more than one of the three events that make up the Market Bridge Challenge. In addition, a team may join the challenge any time before the end of the competition. The events are:

• Scavenger Hackathon Challenge. Hosted in partnership with CPRCV.org and Trustifier Inc., this challenge will require participants to gain access to a company's network undetected, and gain root or regular access to the system. This hackathon will test the participant's hacking skills against a new cyber protection system. The winner will receive an invitation to become a Trustifier Solutions partner for no fee.
• Broadband Challenge. In partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, this event will challenge participants to produce a "vision paper" detailing how broadband technology will make a difference in Hampton Roads. A prize will be awarded to the winning team.
• Coastal Resilience Challenge. Hosted in partnership with AeroTech, Concursive and Wetlands Watch, this challenge will involve developing an app concept to run on the existing Sea Level Rise (SLR) mobile app. SLR is available for free on the Apple and Google Play stores. The winning team will share a $10,000 prize.

For more information about the Market Bridge Challenge, or about GOV2COM, email info@gov2com.org.

GOV2COM is a series of interconnected programs created through CEI and designed to help government and military contractors better understand how to do business in the private sector. It was introduced to the Hampton Roads community last fall after being formed by funds received from the s Commonwealth through the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, to offer help for companies and entrepreneurs to move their business beyond government contracts.

GOV2COM targets local companies that recognize that government contracting, specifically military procurement, will be significantly more challenging in the years ahead. It offers assistance to businesses that face challenges moving into unfamiliar commercial markets.

Formed in 2014, CEI has built on decades of expertise at the University fusing campus to community. By bringing programs such as the Hampton Roads Veterans Business Outreach Center, Women's Business Center and Technology Applications Center under one structure, CEI helps Old Dominion University fulfill its mission as a true economic engine.