--- title: Stories and Updates | Horn Entrepreneurship | Jan Castro description: Stories, news and updates from Horn Entrepreneurship, the creative engine of University of Delaware --- [![University of Delaware](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/HPE_Jan2017/logo.png?width=168&height=70&name=logo.png "University of Delaware")](http://udel.edu) #### Horn Entrepreneurship # [Stories & Updates](https://horn.udel.edu) ## Jan Castro ### Recent Posts ### [Serving and Studying Abroad: Spending a School Year with the Air Force](https://horn.udel.edu/serving-and-studying-abroad-spending-a-school-year-with-the-air-force) We are sharing this highlight of Delaware Innovation Fellow Miranda Petti and her journey serving abroad as a Senior Airman of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command while enrolled in her sophomore year at University of Delaware. [Read the full story on UDaily](https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2021/july/student-us-air-force-reserve-miranda-petti-qatar-business-management-information-systems/).   [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/serving-and-studying-abroad-spending-a-school-year-with-the-air-force) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • August 03, 2021 Topics: [government](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/government), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [DIF](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/dif), [leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership) ### [Application Period Ending Soon for Blue Hen 17&43: A Call to UD’s Promising Ventures and Fast-Growing Companies](https://horn.udel.edu/application-period-ending-soon-for-blue-hen-1743-a-call-to-uds-promising-ventures-and-fast-growing-companies) The Blue Hen 17&43 Awards are the University of Delaware’s way of recognizing students and alumni who are part of today’s most promising new ventures and fastest-growing companies. Applications are being sought through July 23, 2021, with an award presentation planned for September. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/application-period-ending-soon-for-blue-hen-1743-a-call-to-uds-promising-ventures-and-fast-growing-companies) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • July 13, 2021 Topics: [awards](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) ### [Summer Founders Begin 12-Week Journey](https://horn.udel.edu/summer-founders-begin-12-week-journey) **Summer Founders 2021 Teams Announced** [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/summer-founders-begin-12-week-journey) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • June 15, 2021 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [resources](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/resources), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders), [demo day](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/demo-day), [pre-accelerator](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-accelerator) ### [Entrepreneurship for Mental Health: Sean’s House and Alum’s Journey in Peer Support](https://horn.udel.edu/entrepreneurship-for-mental-health-seans-house-and-alums-journey-in-peer-support) Like many teens and young adults in the U.S., Darian Elmendorf had spent many years throughout high school and college silently battling anxiety and depression. And while his struggles were real and acutely felt in his daily life, they were not, at first, readily identifiable. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/entrepreneurship-for-mental-health-seans-house-and-alums-journey-in-peer-support) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • May 21, 2021 Topics: [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership) ### [Diamond Challenge 2021 Summit: A Week-Long Entrepreneurship Experience, Recapped](https://horn.udel.edu/diamond-challenge-summit-2021-a-week-long-entrepreneurship-experience-recapped) The [Diamond Challenge](https://diamondchallenge.org/), an entrepreneurship platform for high school students from around the world, recently wrapped up its week-long summit which took place virtually this year, from April 11 - 16, 2021. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/diamond-challenge-summit-2021-a-week-long-entrepreneurship-experience-recapped) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • May 07, 2021 Topics: [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [opportunities](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/opportunities), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [educators](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/educators) ### [The Sounds of Entrepreneurship: Drummer, DJ, and UD Alum Joe Vela’s Musical Odyssey](https://horn.udel.edu/the-sounds-of-entrepreneurship-drummer-dj-and-ud-alum-joe-velas-musical-odyssey) \[Photo by Andrew Hutchins\] At 26 years old, Joe Vela had just quit his Philadelphia tech job to commit to drumming full time and to go on tour with his band, [Tweed](https://www.tweedmusic.com/). It had only been a few years after he and his bandmates had graduated from the University of Delaware, and the opportunity to pursue music was one which they all agreed came only once in a lifetime. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/the-sounds-of-entrepreneurship-drummer-dj-and-ud-alum-joe-velas-musical-odyssey) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • April 20, 2021 Topics: [entrepreneurship and the arts](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-the-arts), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni) ### [Mastering Entrepreneurship Through Leadership: An Introduction to SELF and the 2021 Cohort](https://horn.udel.edu/mastering-entrepreneurship-through-leadership-an-introduction-to-self-and-the-2021-cohort) In the spaces of creative disruption where entrepreneurs operate, the skills of effective leadership have always been of key importance, and are inextricably tied to the spirit of innovation. However, before anyone can even begin to become a leader of others, they must first learn to lead themselves. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/mastering-entrepreneurship-through-leadership-an-introduction-to-self-and-the-2021-cohort) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • March 17, 2021 Topics: [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [resources](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/resources), [opportunities](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/opportunities), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership), [Siegfried](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/siegfried) ### [Student Success Story: Mike Shumate’s Lessons in Not Being Afraid to Fail](https://horn.udel.edu/student-success-story-mike-shumates-lessons-in-not-being-afraid-to-fail) As an aspiring entrepreneur from Wilmington, Delaware, Mike Shumate is no stranger to stepping outside of his comfort zone. Over the course of his time in the [Associates in Arts Program](https://www.aap.udel.edu/), Shumate has quickly made a name for himself through his engagement across a number of Horn Entrepreneurship’s programs and competitions. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/student-success-story-mike-shumates-lessons-in-not-being-afraid-to-fail) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • March 10, 2021 Topics: [success stories](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/success-stories), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [pitch party](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitch-party), [pivoting](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pivoting) ### [Dr. Robert Ddamulira: Building Businesses to Beat Climate Change](https://horn.udel.edu/dr.-robert-ddamulira-building-businesses-to-beat-climate-change) Dr. Robert Ddamulira is a firm believer in the power of people. In other words, he is convinced that any problem, no matter how daunting, can be solved through cooperation and a little bit of disruptive creativity – a rather simple conviction that informs Ddamulira’s entrepreneurial approach to the existential challenge of climate change. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/dr.-robert-ddamulira-building-businesses-to-beat-climate-change) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • February 19, 2021 Topics: [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [environment](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/environment) ### [Meet Rysheema Dixon: Social Entrepreneur, Councilwoman & UD Professor](https://horn.udel.edu/meet-rysheema-dixon-social-entrepreneur-councilwoman-and-ud-professor) At the unique intersection of social entrepreneurship, academia, and public service, you’re likely to find few who have struck a balance as well as Rysheema Dixon, a Philadelphia-born social entrepreneur who has found her calling in serving her community. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/meet-rysheema-dixon-social-entrepreneur-councilwoman-and-ud-professor) by [Jan Castro](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro) • February 10, 2021 Topics: [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [government](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/government), [women entrepreneurs](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/women-entrepreneurs), [educators](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/educators) 1 [2](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro/page/2) [3](https://horn.udel.edu/author/jan-castro/page/3) ### Subscribe to Blog Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [entrepreneurship (242)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship) - [community (225)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community) - [students (158)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students) - [alumni (118)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni) - [awards (116)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards) - [startups (115)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) - [events (102)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events) - [innovation (96)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) - [success stories (89)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/success-stories) - [resources (83)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/resources) - [enrichment (82)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/enrichment) - [competition (65)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition) - [Summer Founders (51)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders) - [social entrepreneurship (49)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship) - [pitching (47)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching) - [opportunities (45)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/opportunities) - [careers (43)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/careers) - [entrepreneurship and science (42)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-science) - [pre college (40)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-college) - [women entrepreneurs (38)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/women-entrepreneurs) - [leadership (35)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership) - [Hen Hatch (31)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hen-hatch) - [future of work (31)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/future-of-work) - [Insider (28)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/insider) - [pitch party (28)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitch-party) - [educators (26)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/educators) - [technology (25)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/technology) - [VentureOn (23)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/ventureon) - [startup advice (23)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice) - [equity (22)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/equity) - [pre-accelerator (22)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-accelerator) - [commercialization (20)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/commercialization) - [environment (20)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/environment) - [research (17)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/research) - [demo day (16)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/demo-day) - [entrepreneurship and the arts (16)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-the-arts) - [Siegfried (13)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/siegfried) - [internships (13)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/internships) - [10 Year Anniversary (11)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/10-year-anniversary) - [DIF (10)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/dif) - [Horn Hen of the Month (8)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/horn-hen-of-the-month) - [The Horn Team (7)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/the-horn-team) - [government (7)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/government) - [pivoting (7)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pivoting) - [REEF@UD (6)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/reefud) - [HDFS (4)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hdfs) see all [![Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Email-Images/Universal/Horn-Entrepreneurship_logo_320px.png?width=240&name=Horn-Entrepreneurship_logo_320px.png "Horn Entrepreneurship")](https://udel.edu/horn) ### EXPLORE - [About Us](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/about-horn/) - [Upcoming Events](https://events.udel.edu/venture_development_center_478) - [Venture Development Center](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/student-enrichment/vdc/) --- ### CONNECT [132 E Delaware Ave Ste 100](https://goo.gl/maps/EuUJZSSiG5u) Newark, DE 19711 [hornprogram@udel.edu](mailto:hornprogram@udel.edu) P: 302-831-4393 - [![Horn Entrepreneurship Facebook](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Email-Images/Universal/facebook_icon.png?width=32&name=facebook_icon.png)](https://www.facebook.com/udhorn) - [![Horn Entrepreneurship Twitter](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Email-Images/Universal/twitter_icon.png?width=32&name=twitter_icon.png)](https://x.com/udbookschool) - [![Horn Entrepreneurship Instagram](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Email-Images/Universal/instagram_icon.png?width=32&name=instagram_icon.png)](https://www.instagram.com/udhorn) - ©2026 University of Delaware - [Comments](http://www.udel.edu/home/comments/) - [Legal Notices](http://www.udel.edu/home/legal-notices/)