The client roster at Santomassimo Davis LLP, a New Jersey-based firm with offices in Philadelphia and New York, includes multi-national corporations that span all industries.
But four of the firm’s newest “clients” aren’t corporate juggernauts: They’re budding entrepreneurial students at Seton Hall University. Earlier this month, Santomassimo Davis was the sponsor of Pirates Pitch 2021, Seton’s Hall’s annual university-wide startup competition, which is part of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s education program.
At the virtual event, four student entrepreneur finalists pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges, Shark Tank-style, and each earned a share of $16,000 in seed funding. In addition, all finalists will receive pro bono legal counsel from Santomassimo Davis LLP Outside General Counsel™ Solutions, which provides clients with access to a fully outsourced virtual department of 15 lawyers with deep expertise that spans the gamut, from contracts to product liability to intellectual property issues, and more.
Seton Hall’s 2021 ‘Pirate Pitch’ Finalists
Christian Patlan.
A graduate student from Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, who will graduate in May with a Master of Arts in diplomacy and international relations and a Master of Business Administration with specializations in Latin America and the Caribbean. His proposed business, Kevin Alexander Company, will design and sell male cosmetic tools that help men with skin imperfections, blemishes, and unwanted tattoos feel more confident. Patlan says he got the idea for the company after helping his younger brother find a solution to cover a facial birthmark.
David Farrelly.
A senior majoring in business administration and business law, who has operated his own disc jockey business for six years. His business idea, Action Hearth, is an affordable virtual reality arcade that provides virtual reality units that take up less real estate than similar gaming systems.
Annabella Robb.
A junior majoring in graphic design and minoring in art history. Her business idea, Annabellacures, is a custom press-on nail business that offers trending nail designs and characters. She launched her business during the pandemic, offering luxury, hand-painted designs at an affordable price.
Nicholas Marinelli.
A senior pursuing a dual degree in finance and information technology, along with certificates in market research, data analytics, entrepreneurship, and leadership. His product, The Extra Time Training App, allows soccer players to train smarter, harder, and more efficiently on a platform that tracks their tactical and fundamental performances and helps them train for college and professional soccer careers.
Santomassimo Davis LLP Sponsorship
Susan Scherreik, director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, lauded the students at the conclusion of the competition. “The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Seton Hall University,” she noted.
Scherreik also credited Santomassimo Davis for sponsoring the event. “A big challenge for student entrepreneurs is obtaining solid legal advice, especially on intellectual property issues, as they launch new ventures,” she says. “At Seton Hall University, our top student entrepreneurs who participate in the Pirates Pitch startup competition are especially fortunate to have access to pro bono legal counsel from the expert attorneys at Santomassimo Davis LLC through the firm’s generous sponsorship of our annual collegiate competition. Big thanks to Chris Santomassimo and Tony Davis for their steadfast support of our university’s young entrepreneurs.”
Chris Santomassimo, a partner at the firm, says he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the finalists. “We would never pass up the chance to work with these young entrepreneurs,” he says. “Just to see their level of engagement and excitement as they begin their business journey makes our participation worthwhile. And being able to provide them with sound legal guidance in every aspect of their business is something we take very seriously.”
Watch the Pirates Pitch competition.
Contact us to discuss how an Outside General Counsel™ solution will create a virtual legal department for your company.
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