Stories & Updates

The fourth annual Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows (REEF@UD) Demo Day is just around the corner! On Monday, May 5, from 4–7 p.m. at the Venture Development Center, nine student teams will take the stage to pitch their bold, sustainability-focused ventures to a panel of expert judges.

UD Entrepreneurship Club and Horn Entrepreneurship present: The Spring Pitch Party – an open call for big ideas, budding founders, and the UD community to come together for a fun, fast-paced night of innovation.

On February 26, 2025, more than 200 high school students from across the mid-Atlantic gathered at Rutgers University for the 2025 EntreX Regional Venture Showcase. These aspiring entrepreneurs pitched their startup ideas to a panel of expert judges, competing for $500 and a spot to compete in Diamond Challenge finals at the prestigious 2025 Limitless World Summit.

Four teams competed in the final round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition, and all four won thousands of dollars from a panel of judges – plus $2,500 for travel expenses to other competitions and often time with consultants.

The Venture Development Center was packed Wednesday night for the 2024 Fall Pitch Party. The event, designed for students new to pitching, provided a stage for innovative ideas, a space for networking, and a showcase for student startups. Everyone who participated received a $20 gift card, while the top 3 received monetary prizes in recognition of their outstanding presentations and concept potential.

Eleven teams advanced to the second round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition. These semifinalists will compete on October 25 to find out which of the promising concepts will advance to the final round of Hen Hatch at the 2024 Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 5.

Do you have an idea for a new product or service?  The Fall Pitch Party will occur at the Venture Development Center on Wednesday, October 23 from 6 pm-7:30 pm. The Pitch Party is a unique event tailored for UD students who are new to the experience of pitching ideas.

Over the past year, University of Delaware’s community of brilliant entrepreneurs and innovators continues to shine, leaving a trail of impressive achievements in their wake. From securing vital funding through investments and grants to earning top honors in awards and competitions, UD students, faculty, and alumni consistently push the boundaries of excellence. Their hard work and ingenuity have garnered well-deserved recognition from notable figures and publications alike. Below, we celebrate their remarkable accomplishments, categorized by the incredible contributions of the students, alumni, faculty & staff, and the Horn National Advisory Board.

The 4th Annual Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows Pitch Day, hosted by Horn Entrepreneurship at the Venture Development Center recently took place Monday May 6. Nine participants with a strong passion for the environment and sustainability came together to pitch their ideas to the judges and compete for a grab at the cash prize. Ideas ranged in all areas from, sustainable home buying, to energy conversion, to aquatic ecosystem preservation.

On April 10th, Horn Entrepreneurship and the E-Club hosted the fan favorite 2024 Spring Pitch party at the Venture Development Center, which was transformed into a charming tropical getaway for the night. During this school year, once again driven and zealous entrepreneurial talents were brought together ready to pitch their ideas against each other, whether it's for some pitching practice or the cash prize. The night consisted of 15 90 second pitches from students of varying majors and experience levels, each with their own unique startup ideas to share with the eager audience.