Stories & Updates

Horn Entrepreneurship celebrated the achievements of 11 outstanding University of Delaware undergraduate students by awarding them more than $10,000 in cash and Venture Development Center (VDC) credit. These honors recognize the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within the university's student body.

This academic year, the University of Delaware (UD) has taken bold steps toward coordinating character development across its undergraduate experience. With generous support from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University, UD was awarded a 12-month Capacity-Building Grant to conduct an institutional consensus of its leadership and character education efforts. The initiative is being led by Johann Ducharme, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Siegfried Fellows, in collaboration with cross-campus leaders in Athletics, Student Life, and the Honors College.

The following events, funded by the ECI grant, stood out as milestones for this work—both capturing the energy, curiosity, and commitment of UD's faculty, staff, and students.

Third-year Delaware Innovation Fellows students present final-phase projects at annual showcase

The spirit of creativity, problem-solving, and social impact was on full display at the Delaware Innovation Fellows (DIF) Innovation Showcase, held on Wednesday, May 14 in Trabant University Center. The event spotlighted the final-phase projects of DIF students, capping their three-year journey through Horn Entrepreneurship’s signature enrichment program.

With purpose-driven ventures, powerful storytelling, and a passion for solving environmental challenges, the 2025 Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows (REEF@UD) took center stage at the fourth annual REEF@UD Demo Day, held on Monday, May 5 at the Venture Development Center.

More than 500 high school innovators and chaperones from 18 U.S. states and 19 countries converged in Wilmington, Delaware, for the 2025 Limitless World Summit, a global celebration of student-driven entrepreneurship hosted by the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship.

On Wednesday, April 23, UD’s Venture Development Center (VDC) was buzzing with energy, creativity, and big ideas as students took the spotlight at the annual Spring Pitch Party—this year themed “Ideas in Bloom.” Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Club and Horn Entrepreneurship, the event welcomed more than 80 students, alumni, and supporters for an evening of fast-paced pitching, community, and celebration.

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.

This semester, the Siegfried Fellows program brought two extraordinary leaders to campus: Vera Leung, Content and Creative Senior Director at the International Rescue Committee, and Jim Clifton, Chairman of Gallup. Both engagements offered transformative perspectives on leadership, creativity, and decision-making, leaving a lasting impact on students and faculty alike.

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.

Meet Davis Pfund—a Renewable Energy Professional, Social Entrepreneur, Community Builder, Event Producer, Visionary Artist, Multi-Instrumental Musician, and Avid Tree Hugger. With a passion for sustainability, social impact, and regenerative living, Davis has launched multiple ventures that combine entrepreneurship with a mission to create a better world.