Stories & Updates

Get ready to celebrate creativity, big ideas, and entrepreneurial energy at the University of Delaware’s Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 4. This dynamic event brings together UD students, alumni, and community members to connect, collaborate, and showcase their ventures. Whether you’re launching a startup, supporting fellow innovators, or simply curious about the future of entrepreneurship, this is the place to be!

Four teams advanced to the final round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition, at the 2025 Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 4. These finalists will compete to find out how much of the $50,000 prize pool will help them advance their ventures.

What happens when an improv mindset meets real-world leadership? For the first EntreX Impact Talk, Leadership Delaware CEO Mike Eppehimer showed our students and educators how a simple phrase—“yes, and”—can transform teams, careers and communities.

After six years of service in the United States Air Force, Evan McArdle, class of 2025, found a new mission: protecting the planet. Initially pursuing psychology at West Chester University, he realized his true calling lay in environmental science. That realization brought him to the University of Delaware, where he began his studies in Environmental Studies in 2022. It was there that he discovered an unexpected passion beneath the surface, scuba diving.

The Entrepreneurship Club’s Fall Pitch Party knocked it out of the park on Wednesday, October 22, bringing rookie pitchers and seasoned innovators together for an evening of high-energy ideas, cheering fans, and cash prizes.

Meet Errik Onyekwere, a driven student entrepreneur from Ashton, Maryland, and a member of the Class of 2026. As an Entrepreneurship major with a minor in Integrated Design, Errik is passionate about innovation, holistic living, and personal growth. Through his involvement with Horn Entrepreneurship and the REEF@UD Fellowship, he’s exploring sustainable solutions to everyday problems and building the confidence to pursue his entrepreneurial vision along the way.

Do you have an idea for a new product or service? Step up to the plate and take a swing at the Fall Pitch Party on Wednesday, October 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Venture Development Center (VDC). This baseball-themed event is perfect for rookies who are new to pitching ideas or veteran players. It’s a fun, fast-paced night where creativity meets community and everyone walks away a winner.

For this recent University of Delaware graduate, entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business, it’s about building community. With a degree in Environmental Studies, a certificate in Eco-Entrepreneurship, and a passion for creating ethical, environmentally conscious solutions, Alana Hill, class of 2025, is already making waves with Island Dream Clean, a venture that blends eco-friendly products with education and connection.

Entrepreneur and alumnus Tom Stauffer, class of 2024, has turned a passion for cars and content into a multi-business brand. As the founder of Tom’s Refurb, he creates unique automotive videos that have fueled the growth of three ventures: tomsrefurb.shop (an online shop for branded gear), Patreon (a subscription platform where fans support creators in exchange for exclusive content), and Speedy’s Equipment (an automotive performance parts business). From small engine repairs as a teen to designing his own auto parts today, Tom’s entrepreneurial journey shows the power of creativity, persistence, and building with purpose.

The 2025–2026 INDE Fellowship participants are tackling big challenges with bold ideas by transforming health care, advancing new technologies, and rethinking how we solve problems in everyday life. From the lab to real-world applications, their work reflects the creativity, curiosity, and impact that define the InDE Fellowship program.