--- title: Stories and Updates | Horn Entrepreneurship | Natalie Kessler 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) ## Natalie Kessler ### Recent Posts ### [Innovation in Full Bloom at the 2025 Spring Pitch Party](https://horn.udel.edu/innovation-in-full-bloom-at-the-2025-spring-pitch-party) On Wednesday, April 23, UD’s Venture Development Center (VDC) was buzzing with energy, creativity, and big ideas as students took the spotlight at the annual **Spring Pitch Party**—this year themed **“Ideas in Bloom.”** Hosted by the **Entrepreneurship Club** and **Horn Entrepreneurship**, the event welcomed more than 80 students, alumni, and supporters for an evening of fast-paced pitching, community, and celebration. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/innovation-in-full-bloom-at-the-2025-spring-pitch-party) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • April 25, 2025 Topics: [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events) ### [Blake Armentano’s Leap into Tech: The Vision Behind Revi Solutions](https://horn.udel.edu/blake-armentanos-leap-into-tech-the-vision-behind-revi-solutions) In the first part of our series, we explored how Blake Armentano (‘20) turned his experience as a fitness studio owner into a thriving tech startup, Revi Solutions. Now, in Part 2, we take a closer look at his journey beyond Oh-So Cycle—why he decided to go all-in on Revi, the meaning behind the brand, and the experiences that shaped him as an entrepreneur.   We’ll also dive into Blake’s passion for creating opportunities for others and what excites him most about the road ahead. Read on as we uncover the mindset and mission driving his success!   [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/blake-armentanos-leap-into-tech-the-vision-behind-revi-solutions) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • March 14, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) ### [Blake Armentano's Journey: From Fitness Studio Owner to AI Innovator](https://horn.udel.edu/blake-armentanos-journey-from-fitness-studio-owner-to-ai-innovator) Starting a business is never easy, but UD alumnus Blake Armentano (‘20) has done it twice—first with his indoor cycling studio, Oh-So Cycle, and now with his AI-driven startup, Revi Solutions. What started as a way to improve client engagement at his gym has grown into a powerful tool helping fitness businesses boost retention and revenue.   [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/blake-armentanos-journey-from-fitness-studio-owner-to-ai-innovator) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • March 10, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) ### [Alumna Spotlight: Rachel Heim’s Vanilla Joe & Co](https://horn.udel.edu/alumni-spotlight-rachel-heims-vanilla-joe-co) A friend of alumna and entrepreneur [Daphne Vantine](https://horn.udel.edu/alumni-spotlight-daphne-vantines-daphne-rae-creative), 2019 alumna Rachel Heim and her venture, Vanilla Joe & Co., are the next feature in our series featuring alumni. Vanilla Joe & Co. is candle shop that caters to dog lovers. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/alumni-spotlight-rachel-heims-vanilla-joe-co) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • February 18, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [entrepreneurship and the arts](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-the-arts), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni) ### [Alumna Spotlight: Daphne Vantine's, Daphne Rae Creative](https://horn.udel.edu/alumni-spotlight-daphne-vantines-daphne-rae-creative) Our first feature in the series focuses on Daphne Vantine, a 2018 graduate of the University of Delaware. She majored in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Integrated Design. In her undergrad she was heavily involved in VentureOn and was also a Horn Ambassador. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Daphne enjoys thrifting and supporting local small businesses like her own. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/alumni-spotlight-daphne-vantines-daphne-rae-creative) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • February 10, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni) ### [From Mascots to Mindsets: Honoring Dave Raymond, Nasir Young, and the Spirit of Entrepreneurial Leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/from-mascots-to-mindsets-honoring-dave-raymond-nasir-young-and-the-spirit-of-entrepreneurial-leadership) Horn Entrepreneurship recently honored Dave Raymond with the 2024 Siegfried Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Nasir Young with the 2024 Student Award at a private dinner and award ceremony. The Siegfried Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership recognizes exceptional individuals who have not only shown themselves to be stewards of innovation through significant contributions to the leadership ecosystem, but have also made a significant positive impact on their communities and industries. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/from-mascots-to-mindsets-honoring-dave-raymond-nasir-young-and-the-spirit-of-entrepreneurial-leadership) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • November 18, 2024 Topics: [awards](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership), [Siegfried](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/siegfried) ### [Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Meet the 2024-2025 Siegfried Fellows](https://horn.udel.edu/empowering-tomorrows-leaders-meet-the-2024-2025-siegfried-fellows) Effective leadership in the dynamic world of innovation and entrepreneurship is essential, driving both growth and creativity. At the heart of this leadership is the ability to lead oneself before guiding others. The [Siegfried Fellows](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/student-enrichment/self-program/) program is founded on this principle. Meet the 2024-2025 cohort of Siegfried Fellows. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/empowering-tomorrows-leaders-meet-the-2024-2025-siegfried-fellows) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • November 01, 2024 Topics: [enrichment](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/enrichment), [leadership](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/leadership), [Siegfried](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/siegfried) ### [The Results Are In: Meet the 2024 Fall Pitch Party Winners](https://horn.udel.edu/the-results-are-in-meet-the-2024-fall-pitch-party-winners) The Venture Development Center was packed Wednesday night for the 2024 Fall Pitch Party. The event, designed for students new to pitching, provided a stage for innovative ideas, a space for networking, and a showcase for student startups. Everyone who participated received a $20 gift card, while the top 3 received monetary prizes in recognition of their outstanding presentations and concept potential. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/the-results-are-in-meet-the-2024-fall-pitch-party-winners) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • October 25, 2024 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [pitch party](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitch-party) ### [Ready to pitch? All you need is an idea!](https://horn.udel.edu/ready-to-pitch-all-you-need-is-an-idea) Do you have an idea for a new product or service?  The [Fall Pitch Party](https://www.tfaforms.com/5149413) will occur at the [Venture Development Center](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Venture+Development+Center/@39.6823,-75.748148,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89c7aa3a9872ea21:0x31a45a51ff6a7d6c!8m2!3d39.6823!4d-75.748148!16s%2Fg%2F11c5250l_l?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) on Wednesday, October 23 from 6 pm-7:30 pm. The Pitch Party is a unique event tailored for UD students who are new to the experience of pitching ideas. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/ready-to-pitch-all-you-need-is-an-idea) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • October 17, 2024 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [pitch party](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitch-party) ### [2024 EntreX Delaware Connect: High Schoolers Address Benefits Cliffs](https://horn.udel.edu/2024-entrex-delaware-connect-high-schoolers-address-benefits-cliffs) More than 200 students from 17 high schools joined together to participate in the [EntreX Lab](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/pre-college-programs/dual-enrollment/) Delaware Connect design sprint, a timed competition in which students address a problem and pitch a solution to a panel of judges. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/2024-entrex-delaware-connect-high-schoolers-address-benefits-cliffs) by [Natalie Kessler](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler) • October 14, 2024 Topics: [pre college](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-college) 1 [2](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler/page/2) [3](https://horn.udel.edu/author/natalie-kessler/page/3) ### Subscribe to Blog Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [entrepreneurship (247)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship) - [community (225)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community) - [students (161)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students) - [alumni (119)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni) - [startups (118)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) - [awards (116)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards) - [events (102)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events) - [innovation (96)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) - [success stories (90)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/success-stories) - [resources (83)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/resources) - [enrichment (82)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/enrichment) - [competition (66)](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 (48)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching) - [opportunities (46)](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 (41)](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 (33)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hen-hatch) - [future of work (31)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/future-of-work) - [pitch party (29)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitch-party) - [Insider (28)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/insider) - [educators (27)](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/)