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.
Sixteen students stepped up to the plate to deliver fast-paced, 90-second pitches before a packed crowd and a panel of alumni judges. From creative new products to purpose-driven ventures, the lineup showcased the breadth of talent across campus and reminded everyone that innovation at UD is alive and well.
1st Place – Owen Matthias, Adaptive Health – Providing health and fitness resources to individuals with disabilities
2nd Place – Gavin Andrade, Inspire Youth – Helping teens discover, lead, and create meaningful community service opportunities.
3rd Place – Kirbyanne Yoder, Gum E Worm – A children’s series about a detective gummy worm with robotic arms in the investigation bureau
Each finalist took home cash prizes of $300, $200, and $100 respectively, along with serious bragging rights.
In addition to the top finishers, judges also recognized standout pitchers with Topical Awards celebrating creativity, motivation, promise and humor:
And because every great player deserves something for stepping onto the field, everyone who pitched earned a $20 gift card to support their entrepreneurial journey.
This semester’s Pitch Party proved that whether you’re a rookie stepping up for the first time or a veteran innovator refining your next big idea, there’s room in the lineup for everyone. The atmosphere was electric, part pep rally, part launchpad, as students connected, celebrated, and shared their vision for what’s next.
Congratulations to all the participants for showing grit, creativity, and teamwork and special thanks to our alumni judges Mason Faust, Rich Hayburn, Sophia Cressman, and the Horn Entrepreneurship community for cheering on UD’s next generation of changemakers.
Until next time… keep swinging!
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.