Celebrate Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UD

Join us for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and networking 

Blue Hen Innovation Fest is an exciting event dedicated to celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware and beyond. This vibrant festival brings together a diverse community of participants, from enthusiastic undergraduate students to ambitious young alumni to innovators creating value within the community, all eager to share their groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial journeys. Attendees can look forward to hearing inspiring pitches from early-stage startups, engaging in dynamic discussions, and exploring a variety of innovative projects that showcase the creativity and talent within our community. Join us for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and networking as we celebrate the spirit of innovation and the future of entrepreneurship!

When: December 4
Where: The Atrium & Audion at STAR campus
Agenda:
8:10 p.m. Networking Reception
8:45 p.m. Award Ceremony
 
Parking Information: complimentary parking is available in the STAR Tower Parking Lot.
 
 
 Register for the Blue Hen Innovation Showcase

Session Descriptions

Chap Tyler Executive Leadership Lecture: High Stakes Negotiating, the tools and mindset needed for success!

Join us for the Chaplin Tyler Executive Leadership Lecture with University of Delaware alumnus Brian Feuer. Brian was Global Head of Portfolio Management at McKinsey & Company, building the group and leading special situation investments across venture, private equity, and public markets throughout his 20-year tenure. He also founded and headed the global commercial negotiation team and managed strategy, negotiations, investor relations, due diligence, and risk analysis, alongside partner training and specialized in crisis management. Previously, Brian managed ORIX USA's North American Mezzanine portfolio. Currently, he advises multifamily offices, is a partner in an AI engineering company and M&A firm, and directs a venture investment group. He has served on nonprofit boards, lectured at MIT and NYU Stern, and advised their startup incubator. He holds a bachelor’s from the University of Delaware and an MBA from NYU Stern.

Dedicated to the memory of Chap and Elizabeth Tyler, the series brings leaders from the business, non-profit and government sectors to the UD campus to share their experiences and insights with students, faculty and the business community. 

Innovation Showcase

Explore the creative projects and startup ventures of University of Delaware students who are still exploring their entrepreneurial paths. The showcase provides a unique platform for aspiring student entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators to present their work, share their ideas, and gain valuable feedback from a diverse audience of industry professionals, mentors, and peers.

Honor Circle Recognition

Join us in celebrating the newest inductees of the Honor Circle of Innovators, a prestigious recognition that highlights transformational leaders who shape the future through innovation and entrepreneurship in Delaware and beyond. The Honor Circle honors exceptional individuals who achieve remarkable success and actively elevate others through their creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial excellence. Nominated by peers, colleagues, and loved ones, these honorees have made a lasting impact on their networks and communities. 

Hen Hatch Final Round

Watch the final round of Hen Hatch, the University of Delaware's premier startup funding competition, as top student teams take the stage to pitch their business concepts to an expert panel of judges. Competing for a share of a $50,000+ prize pool, these entrepreneurial students will vie for startup cash and prizes, while seizing the opportunity to make valuable connections and get real-world feedback on their innovative ideas. Don't miss the excitement as they bring their ventures to life!

Blue Hen 17&43 Most Promising Ventures

Join us as Horn Entrepreneurship and the Lerner College of Business and Economics proudly announce the prestigious recipients of the 2025 Blue Hen 17&43 Awards! This exciting annual accolade celebrates the University of Delaware’s legacy of entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation by honoring exceptional early-stage startups founded or led by Blue Hen alumni. Focused on the most promising new ventures, this year’s winners showcase the spirit of entrepreneurial excellence and bring a dynamic range of ideas, strategies, and solutions that enrich the UD entrepreneurial ecosystem. Don’t miss the chance to see these inspiring ventures and their impact on our community! 

 

 

Meet the Hen Hatch Finalist Teams

During the final round of Hen Hatch, these teams will have 7 minutes to pitch and a 5 minute Q&A session with judges in front of a live audience.
 
In-line pipe inspection
Rushabh Dhoke, Class of 2025, College of Engineering, Robotics Engineering major
Sneh Shukla, Class of 2025 (Fall), College of Engineering, Robotics Engineering major
An all purpose robot to provide real-time analysis of water (and other utility) pipelines to save water and reduce pipe failures

Happydog
Brandon Schweitzer, Class of 2027, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Finance major
Kyle Oehlmann, Class of 2027, Lerner College, Finance and Management Information Systems majors
Emanuel Sobin, Class of 2027, Lerner College, Finance and Wealth Management majors
Happy Dog Surf Shop makes dog-inspired clothing, giving dog-loving customers an easy way to support animal shelters through their purchases.

Relief Chronic Care
Emilie Delaye, Class of 2027, College of Arts and Sciences, Fashion and Apparel Studies master’s program
Relief Chronic Care is a startup focused on helping women navigate the logistical challenges of chronic illness by providing credible resources, practical tools, and a supportive community.

SafeSip
Mackenzie Frank, Class of 2027, Lerner College, Entrepreneurship major
A straw that is chemically engineered to change colors when interacting with a drug, providing an unmistakable cue to someone signaling that their drink has been compromised.
 
 

 

Innovation Showcase Exhibitors

AI Receptionist with Integrated CRM
Ujjwala Pothula, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Suvil Kaushik, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Bryan Cabrera Icte, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Marc Madlangbayan, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Joshua Washington, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
The business concept is an AI-powered voice receptionist and all-in-one CRM/Scheduling platform that helps small businesses capture every call, automate bookings and follow-ups, and consolidate communications into one seamless, cost-effective system.

Arima Skincare
Arielle Mahugu, Class of 2027, College of Arts & Sciences, Biology major
Arima Skincare is a natural, handcrafted skincare brand dedicated to providing safe, high-quality products free from harmful chemicals, designed for anyone and everyone seeking healthier skin.

Dormp
Oluwatito Olubakinde, Class of 2027, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Dormp is a managed collection-to-resale service that captures functional items students discard during college move-out, then cleans, inspects, and resells them at 40-70% below retail prices to incoming students during move-in, creating a sustainable circular economy that saves students money while reducing campus waste.

ModX
Logan Dendorfer, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering major (Honors)
David Berson, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering major (Honors)
Joseph Yarbrough, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering major
New cleat design that allows full function on any playing surface.

Nimbus
Justin Farquhar, Class of 2026, Lerner College, Master of Business Administration
John Henry Cooper, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Master of Science in Data Science
Jayden Thomas, Class of 2025, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Nimbus empowers independent restaurants to compete with large chains by providing accessible demand forecasting tools that optimize staffing and inventory, boosting efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability.

Spotter
Tristan Dendorfer, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Jasnoor Saini, Class of 2026, College of Engineering, Computer Science major
Kevin Kyle, Abhyuday Srivatsa, and Jonah Plotkin (University of Maryland)
Spotter is an AI-powered mobile app that uses computer vision to analyze lifting form in real time, helping people train smarter, avoid injuries, and have “a personal trainer in their pocket.”

Hen Hatch Finalists, Most Promising alumni ventures, and selected UD concept teams will also be exhibiting.