High School Innovators take Center Stage at EntreX Competition

Young innovators from across the region gathered at University of Delaware on March 6 for the 2025 EntreX Delaware Venture Showcase. More than 200 high school students pitched their startup ideas to a panel of expert judges, competing for $500 and a spot to compete in Diamond Challenge finals at the prestigious 2025 Limitless World Summit.

The event, part of Horn Entrepreneurship’s EntreX program, provided students with a platform to showcase their creativity, receive valuable feedback, and connect with like-minded peers. For many, it was their first experience in a pitch competition, making it an exciting opportunity to refine their ideas and build essential entrepreneurial skills.

Congratulations to the winners: 

Social Innovation Track

Business Innovation Track

The EntreX Delaware Venture Showcase featured teams from regional high schools, highlighting their dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship. Students from the following schools presented their ventures:

• Bishop Shanahan High School
• Brandywine High School
• Concord High School
• Conrad Schools of Science
• Charter School of Wilmington
• Devon Preparatory School
• Glasgow High School
• Howard High School of Technology
• Interboro High School
• La Salle Academy, Providence
• Manheim Central High School
• MOT Charter School
• Mount Pleasant High School
• Penncrest High School
• Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr
• Saint Mark's High School
• Salesianum School
• Sun Valley High School
• Sussex Academy
• Ursuline Academy

Thank you to all individuals who contributed to the success of this event, and a special appreciation to the dedicated judges for generously offering their time and expertise to make the 2025 EntreX Delaware Showcase a success:

• Elizabeth Allen, senior manager, National Nonprofit Organization
• Gary Balfour, Co-Founder, Solid Sealing Technology
• Christopher Daniels, Partner, Daniels + Tansey
• Dana Herbert, Owner/Pastry Chef, Desserts by Dana
• Leah Huf, Global Business Leader - Learning and Innovation, Project Management Institute
• Rishi Khan, President, Extreme Scale Solutions
• Devon Mitchell,CEO, DSN Corporation
• Jim O'Donoghue, Co-Founder, Grain
• Vinay Reddy, Project Manager, JP Morgan
• Annie Slease, CEO, MHGN
• Anne Stamer, Executive Coach, Stamer Coaching
• Cindy Stewart, Founder and Principal, Innovative Food Science Consulting
• Mark Bendett, President, Northstar Strategic Consulting

We extend our sincere gratitude to sponsor Capital One for their sponsorship and support at the EntreX Delaware Venture Showcase. 

The EntreX Lab program gives students early access to entrepreneurial education with up to three college credits. The curriculum focuses on the key skills of idea generation, creative problem solving, leadership, evidence-based decision making, resilience, teamwork and persuasive communication. Learn more about the EntreX Lab program and adopt it at your school. 

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 U.S., horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.