Stories & Updates

A friend of alumna and entrepreneur Daphne Vantine, 2019 alumna Rachel Heim and her venture, Vanilla Joe & Co., are the next feature in our series featuring alumni. Vanilla Joe & Co. is candle shop that caters to dog lovers.

Our first feature in the series focuses on Daphne Vantine, a 2018 graduate of the University of Delaware. She majored in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Integrated Design. In her undergrad she was heavily involved in VentureOn and was also a Horn Ambassador. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Daphne enjoys thrifting and supporting local small businesses like her own.

Our faculty are always on the move. Last summer, Dr. Laura Gasiorowski, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, captivated audiences at the Academy of Management Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, where she unveiled her research on how entrepreneurs’ responses during pitch Q&A sessions influence their chances of securing funding. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Gasiorowski to dive deeper into her compelling findings.

Spring is the season of growth, and what better way to cultivate your entrepreneurial dreams than by taking advantage of the many opportunities available this semester? Whether you're new to entrepreneurship, have a startup idea, or are already scaling your venture, there's something for everyone. Here's a look at what’s in store for students this spring.

Meet Ms. Kay, the friendly and familiar face of the Venture Development Center (VDC) at Horn Entrepreneurship. With a background in travel and tourism from Thames Valley University in London and a passion for connecting with people, she brings a wealth of experience and warmth to her role as an Administrative Assistant and Advisor for a Minor in Entrepreneurship and Integrated Design.  From overseeing VDC operations to greeting students and guests with her signature smile, Ms. Kay plays an integral role in fostering the innovative and inclusive environment that defines Horn. In this Q&A, she shares insights into her journey, passions, and what makes the VDC such a special place.

The University of Delaware is set to host the inaugural UD Convening on Character Development on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Audion at STAR. This event aims to unite key campus stakeholders—including faculty, staff, administration, and student leaders—to advance initiatives focused on undergraduate character development. Registration is requested. Visit the event webpage for information on registration and agenda.  

Horn receives transformative gift from Stanford family to support Summer Founders program

Fifteen women wereinducted into the WE Hatch Honor Circle, a cornerstone of WE Hatch, a Horn initiative that aims to empower innovative and entrepreneurial women.

The latest recipients for Blue Hen 17&43 Most Promising Venture awards were announced at the first Blue Hen Innovation Fest. Theseawards are Horn Entrepreneurship and the Lerner College of Business & Economics' annual recognition of the University of Delaware's most promising early-stage startups.

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.