The 15 latest recipients of Blue Hen 17&43 awards were announced at the recent Blue Hen Innovation Fest. These awards are Horn Entrepreneurship and the Lerner College of Business & Economics’ annual recognition of the most promising early-stage startups founded by University of Delaware alumni.
The winners:
Alchemize Fightwear, founded by Maya Nazareth, ’20. Alchemize makes “fightwear engineered for the fierce female.”
American Speech Therapy, LLC, founded by Melissa Rotsides Bakker, ’11. American Speech Therapy is based in New Jersey and offers private speech therapy services.
Arplans, LLC, co-founded by Joshua Artis, ’24, and Hannah Armstrong, ’24. Arplans offers “easy access to vendors and venues all in one place” to help plan any event.
Bedrock Energy, co-founded by Silviu Livescu, ’06. Bedrock uses “geothermal energy to radically reduce costs for people and the environment.”
Brame, founded by Annabelle Brame, ’24. Brame creates “clothing that tells a story while helping the planet, revolutionizing the way women dress.”
Dara Rae Matchmaking, with Dara Rae Rahill, ’14, as CEO. Dara Rae, which is based in Philadelphia, provides “driven and down-to-earth singles with real connections.”
Howrks, LLC, founded by Cameron Howard, ’08. Howrks, which is based in Delaware, is a full-service landscape design and implementation firm.
Igloo Insurance, LLC, founded by Brian Mahon, ’17. Igloo Insurance, which is based in Pennsylvania, specializes in workers’ compensation, business, and life insurance.
Marconi Health, with Jarrett Bender, ’19, as CEO. Marconi Health uses RFID technology to optimize pharmacies’ medication inventory software.
Navicyte Biotechnologies, LLC, with Dr. Michael Donzanti, ’24 as CEO. Navicyte “is pioneering a first-in-class drug delivery platform that safely and effectively directs immune-targeted therapeutics.”
Revi Solutions, Inc., founded by Blake Armentano, ’20. Revi “is the AI-powered lead conversion system for fitness studios.”
Ritten, Inc., co-founded by Gabriel Szczepanek, ’15. Ritten helps behavioral health clinics “simplify documentation, speed up billing, and stay compliant.”
Speedy’s Equipment, founded by Tom Stauffer, ’24. Speedy's focuses on “the future of hot rodding” by making mufflers and hardware.
Vanilla Joe & Co., founded by Rachel Heim, ’19. Vanilla Joe makes canine-themed candles.
Waxwing Growth, founded by Kelly O’Neill (McPartland), ’11. Waxwing Growth is a customer-growth firm, offering digital strategy, Google ads, paid social, and lead generation,
The Blue Hen 17&43 Awards celebrate the University’s legacy of entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation by honoring exceptional early-stage startups founded or led by Blue Hen alumni.
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.
