A milestone summer for entrepreneurship at UD culminated on August 14 with Demo Day, where the 10th cohort of Summer Founders shared their ventures with the community.
Over the past 12 weeks, students immersed themselves in mentorship, customer discovery, and startup building. Backed by a $1.15 million gift from the Stanford Family, the program provided each founder with funding to develop their startup.
A Packed House
The room buzzed with energy as students, alumni, faculty, mentors, and community members gathered to hear pitches, ask questions, and connect with this year’s founders.
10th Cohort, Countless Ideas
This year’s cohort included ventures tackling problems in education, sustainability, technology, social impact, and beyond. From software to service models, each founder demonstrated how much progress can happen in just one summer.
Mentorship in Action
Throughout the program, founders received guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs, faculty, and advisors. Many credited these mentors with helping them pivot, refine their customer approach, and prepare to pitch with confidence.
Community Connection
Demo Day wasn’t just about presentations—it was about networking. Attendees mixed, mingled, and explored the ventures in an expo-style showcase, reinforcing Horn’s role as a hub for entrepreneurship at UD.
A Decade of Impact
Since 2016, Summer Founders has supported 104 startups that have gone on to raise nearly $12 million in funding, with more than 60% still operating today. Alumni ventures range from robotics to fightwear to housing innovation, demonstrating the program’s long-term impact.
Looking Ahead
“Summer Founders is more than just time to work on your startup—it’s about learning how to think like an entrepreneur,” said program lead Garry Johnson III. “This year’s cohort built on a decade of momentum, and we can’t wait to see where they go next.”
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.
