Stories & Updates

The Summer Founders program takes approximately 12 weeks, from June 3 to August 15. During this pre-accelerator program, students receive a stipend while developing their ventures. They are supported by weekly mentoring, educational sessions, and progress meetings with advisors. The flexible structure and individualized mentorship allow each team to work on achieving specific goals unique to their projects. The program concludes with "Demo Day," a presentation to mentors, advisors, and stakeholders on Thursday, August 15, which all students must attend. There is one team under the theme of “Environment” involved in the Summer Founders program this summer, and that is Big Rig’s Lionfish Spearfishing Expedition and Charter.

Horn Entrepreneurship is thrilled to welcome a fresh, dynamic group of fellows to its much-anticipated Accelerating Innovation in Education program. The fellowship, led by Dan Freeman, Founding Director, and Felicia Harrington, Assistant Director of Youth Programs, is designed to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within K-12 education. The fellows have taken the time to develop new skills and understand the building blocks of an innovative school culture through an immersive two day summer program. The fellows will continue to meet as a community of practice throughout the upcoming school year.

For young and ambitious entrepreneurs, summertime offers an ideal opportunity to nurture and refine their ventures amidst great weather, ample free time, and positive vibes. The Summer Founders program allows a select group of students to fully immerse themselves in developing their startups. Congratulations to this year’s eight teams!

Graduating from college is a pivotal moment in a person's life, marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. Noticing all those early mornings, busy days, and late nights. It's a time of celebration and reflection as graduates prepare to step into the next chapter of their lives. Whether the journey has been straightforward or filled with unexpected challenges, reaching this milestone is a significant achievement that opens the door to a world of new opportunities. We celebrate the resilience and achievements of those who have reached this important turning point.

The 4th Annual Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows Pitch Day, hosted by Horn Entrepreneurship at the Venture Development Center recently took place Monday May 6. Nine participants with a strong passion for the environment and sustainability came together to pitch their ideas to the judges and compete for a grab at the cash prize. Ideas ranged in all areas from, sustainable home buying, to energy conversion, to aquatic ecosystem preservation.

On April 10th, Horn Entrepreneurship and the E-Club hosted the fan favorite 2024 Spring Pitch party at the Venture Development Center, which was transformed into a charming tropical getaway for the night. During this school year, once again driven and zealous entrepreneurial talents were brought together ready to pitch their ideas against each other, whether it's for some pitching practice or the cash prize. The night consisted of 15 90 second pitches from students of varying majors and experience levels, each with their own unique startup ideas to share with the eager audience.

Where ideas meet innovation and charisma meets community, 2024 Diamond Challenge Summit. From April 25th to 27th, a conference celebrating entrepreneurial high school students from all around the globe, featured workshops, panel discussions, innovation sprints, and networking opportunities. Over the past few days, we've witnessed a convergence of groundbreaking ideas, disruptive strategies, and valuable insights shared by some of the brightest minds in the entrepreneurial landscape. 

At the Hen Hatch 2023 event, a gathering of outstanding young entrepreneurs demonstrated their dedication and willingness to put in the work to compete for funding based on their ventures. Amongst the other entrepreneurs participating in the innovation showcase and the finalist round, Samantha McGhee shined bright. She was able to pitch Miss Boulevard with grace and charisma that engaged the crowd and judges. Landing her some crucial funding for her entrepreneurial journey.

Confidence, it's a quality often lauded as the cornerstone of success, the catalyst for self-assurance, and the formula that supports individuals toward their goals. However, upon closer inspection, you may find that the concept of confidence can sometimes lack a fixed and concrete meaning. It's one of those things that you have the power to define, control, and master. The way you can gain and later display this all comes down to your experiences and perspective. For some, confidence may manifest as a quiet inner strength, while for others, it's expressed through outward charisma and assertiveness. Ultimately, the meaning of confidence is a reflection of our individual journey.