Nineteen teams have been selected for Horn Entrepreneurship’s 2025 Summer Founders pre-accelerator program. This intensive 10-week experience gives University of Delaware students and recent graduates the opportunity to build their ventures full time with the support of resources, mentorship, and funding.
This year’s cohort of 21 innovators represents three colleges, Arts and Sciences, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, and Engineering, and includes four graduate students tackling challenges across industries like health tech, AI, social impact, and consumer products.
“Summer Founders is more than just time to work on your startup,” said Garry Johnson III, Program Lead. “It’s about learning how to think like an entrepreneur—how to test assumptions, connect with customers, and move from idea to impact.”
Meet the 2025 Summer Founders Teams:
Aux
Phil Stoyanov, BS in Computer Science with a minor in Integrated Design, class of 2025
AUX is a connector between music listeners who want to discover new music and smaller or independent musicians who want to grow their audience.
Citigen
Morris Kithinji, MS in Business Analytics, class of 2025
Citigen is a smart digital platform that streamlines the delivery of homecare services by automating key workflows such as in-home nursing coordination, medical appointment scheduling, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT).
Dome Phone
Katherine Oulman, comparative literature major and international business minor, class of 2026
Dome Phone is a smartphone radiation-blocking bedside accessory designed to reduce negative health effects due to technology usage.
Dropinsea
Norman Mthethwa, economics major and computer science minor, class of 2027
Dropinsea is a community-centered non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to clean and safe water in underserved regions.
Durenia Pharmaceutical Technologies
Leena Maharaj, Management major, class of 2027
Durenia Pharmaceutical Technologies is a health tech startup focused on reimagining the way people carry and take medication.
Entry- level Careers platform
Beveline Sambu, MS in Business Analytics, class of 2025
Kenneth Kanyingi, MS in Business Analytics, class of 2025
Entry- level Careers platform is a career navigation platform designed to guide entry-level workers.
Funky Rat
Amanda Membrado, BS in Entrepreneurship with a Fashion Management minor, class of 2025
Hunter Wills, BS in Entrepreneurship with an Integrated Design minor, class of 2025
Funky Rat is a clothing brand that up-cycles used clothing in an effort to reduce clothing waste and create a community that comes together to make the world a better place.
IBN's Water-Ice
Jaabir Robinson, Entrepreneurship major, class of 2028
IBN's Water-Ice is a venture that serves refreshing frozen treats at community events and private gatherings.
Next Trip
Aria Scott, BS in Entrepreneurship with an Advertising minor, class of 2025
Next Trip is a platform that consolidates all aspects of group travel planning in one place for ages 18-24.
Oak and Ember
Max Martin, Entrepreneurship major with a minor in Professional Selling & Sales Management, class of 2026
A hybrid café-bar designed to combat burnout and isolation—offering a cozy, community-driven space that transitions from specialty coffee bar by day to craft cocktails by night.
PIQ
Victor du Pont , Entrepreneurship major, class of 2027
PIQ is a concentrated lemon or lime juice drink infused with caffeine.
PlanWell
Marc Parsons, Entrepreneurship major, class of 2026
PlanWell is a platform that simplifies health insurance information through user-friendly resources, unbiased plan comparisons, and transparent pricing insights.
REACH
Narayan Kumar, PhD candidate in Civil Engineering, class of 2027
REACH is a tech-enabled service platform [call -based] that connects skilled, verified local gig workers with elderly individuals living independently in rural and suburban Southeast Asia.
Solis Organics
Troon Houlton, Operations Management major with a minor in Civil Engineering, class of 2026
Solis Organics is solving the problem of toxic ingredients in skincare by swapping chemicals with simple, natural ingredients—because your skin deserves the best, without the unnecessary additives.
Spin Tech
Oliver King, Entrepreneurship major, class of 2028
Spin Tech is an app that allows people to connect on a deeper level with the DJ. Anyone who downloads the app has the ability to upload song requests directly into the DJ software for the DJ to play.
Tactyx
Brandon Maravilla Garcia, BS in Engineering, class of 2025
Tactyx is a tactile sensor that can be fitted for different types of robots using cutting-edge materials science and electrical engineering techniques.
VideoEditor Copilot
Sebastian Torres, BS in Computer Engineering with a minor in Cybersecurity, class of 2025
VideoEditor Copilot is a video editing assistant built into the users editing software to answer questions users may have, and auto complete edits the user does not know how to implement.
Xpress on
Grace Phillips, BA in Political Science with a minor in Spanish, class of 2025
Xpress-On offers customizable, salon-quality press-on nails through a subscription model that’s affordable, durable, and tailored to your style.
Zest box
Ponsamaya Ravichandran, MBA Business Analytics candidate, class of 2026
Zest box is an AI-powered app that transforms grocery management by seamlessly tracking inventory, suggesting personalized recipes, and minimizing food waste—all tailored to your diet, budget, and taste.
The program will conclude with a public Demo Day on August 14, where teams will engage with the UD community and the broader entrepreneurial community.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
