# Splash: A Technology Company Overview
Based on the search results, there are multiple companies operating under the "Splash" name in the technology sector, each serving distinct markets. The most prominent example in the available results is Splash Tech, a startup focused on automated pool maintenance technology.
High-Level Overview
Splash Tech is a smart pool management startup that automates swimming pool chemical management for residential and commercial pool owners. The company builds IoT-enabled devices and software that measure and manage pool chemicals with precision, addressing a significant gap in the home maintenance market. Their core value proposition centers on saving pool owners time, money, and environmental resources by eliminating manual chemical testing and reducing waste through data-driven dosing.[3]
The company was founded by Rain Sun and Sam Louderback, both UC Davis alumni who identified the pool maintenance opportunity while attending swimming pool industry conventions.[3] Their mission reflects a sustainability-focused approach to a traditionally overlooked problem in residential property management.
Origin Story
Rain Sun, a master's student in electrical engineering, and Sam Louderback, a computer science graduate, first met as undergraduates at UC Davis.[3] Their venture began as a senior design project that evolved into Splash Tech's first prototype. The founders conducted market research by attending swimming pool conventions across the country, where they spoke directly with pool management company owners to validate their concept.[3]
The Diane Bryant Engineering Student Design Center and access to specialized lab equipment at UC Davis played a critical role in their early development.[3] Their participation in the UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition marked a pivotal turning point for the startup, providing both validation and resources to scale their vision.[3]
Core Differentiators
- Automated chemical management: Replaces manual testing with smart, sensor-based monitoring and automated dosing
- Sustainability focus: Reduces chemical waste and environmental impact through precision dosing
- Market validation: Founded on direct engagement with industry professionals at pool management conventions
- Technical expertise: Combines electrical engineering and computer science capabilities from the founding team
- Academic foundation: Leveraged university resources and rigorous engineering training to develop the initial prototype
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Splash Tech exemplifies the growing trend of smart home automation expanding into overlooked niches. As IoT devices proliferate and homeowners increasingly seek convenience and sustainability, companies are identifying underserved maintenance categories—in this case, pool chemistry management. The timing aligns with broader consumer demand for automated solutions that reduce manual labor while improving environmental outcomes. By addressing a fragmented, traditionally analog market, Splash Tech represents how technology entrepreneurs are digitizing and optimizing everyday home maintenance systems.
Quick Take & Future Outlook
Splash Tech's trajectory will likely depend on scaling beyond early adopters to mainstream pool owners and commercial operators. The founders' engineering rigor and market-validated approach position them well to capture share in a market where pool maintenance remains largely manual. As smart home ecosystems mature and sustainability becomes a purchasing criterion, companies automating previously overlooked household systems may see accelerating adoption. The question ahead is whether Splash Tech can build the operational and business expertise—beyond engineering—that Chancellor May emphasized as essential for startup success.[3]