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.

Open exclusively to undergraduate students and designed for first-time pitchers, the Spring Pitch Party invites students to share startup ideas in a 90-second pitch format for the chance to win cash prizes and receive feedback from a panel of young UD alumni entrepreneurs.

Ideas That Took Root

Out of 15 student-led pitches, the judging panel selected three standout winners based on clarity, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential:

• First Place: Mary Williams - MalAI  $300
  
  
• Second Place: Megan Anderson - Hen Housing Hub  $200
  
  
• Third Place: Sara Standish - Mobile Menu  $100
  
  

In addition to the top three awards, several students received topical prizes recognizing the unique strengths of their pitches:

• Most Creative: Tito Olubakinde - TapCard
  
  
• Most Promising: Victor DuPont - PIQ Energy
  
  
• Most Interesting: Prarthona Zaman & Kritee Sangroula - Trash2Ca$h
  
  
• Most Motivated: Matthew Arce - Neuralyn

Thank you to our judges alumnae Bridget Bergan and Priya Rani, both class of 2022. 

Every participant walked away with a $20 gift card and new experience under their belt. For many, it was their very first time pitching in front of a crowd.

Our Participants

Teddy Manitta - Gate12

• A mobile app that offers a premium tailgating experience that delivers foods and setups to all tailgates. 

Matthew Arce - Neuralyn

• A mobile app that offers AI therapy and journaling.

Mary Williams - MalAI

• An AI software that can detect spam emails and sorts them by color depending on if they are malicious, spam, etc. 

Prarthona Zaman & Kritee Sangroula - Trash2Ca$h

• A service that chemically recycles bottles and gives people money back from recycling. 

Wanning Wang - Mnemeon

• A mobile app that allows users to transfer smells through the phone.

Andre Jacob Domingo - Nap’N’Go

• A service that is offers rentable and safe pods to take naps in.

Maryam Adesina - Propo/rtions

• A mobile app that can change a recipe if you are missing an ingredient or need to change the serving size.

Sara Standish - Mobile Menu 

• A mobile app that connects people dietary restrictions  to specific restaurants and dishes that would work with their restriction.

Jeffery Browning - ISRS (Invasive Species Report App)

• A service that uses technology to stop the spreading of invasive species.

Tito Olubakinde - TapCard

• A product that saves your number or a website onto a card that you can tap to other phones to share.

Thomas Cardenas - FYOB 

• A service that is a AI quiz that tells what type of beer people would like and finds a brewery nearby and beer on the menu for them.

Megan Anderson - Hen Housing Hub

• A mobile app that helps students in a college campus’s connect with landlords and find potential houses

Brenna Billingsley - ReelChic

• A business that creates flattering and functional fishing gear for women.

Sanath Shiohare - Noted

• A mobile app that is a AI powered notebook that sorts assignments and work. 

Victor DuPont - PIQ Energy 

• A product that is caffeinated powder that can be added into any beverage to turn it into a energy drink

A Night of Firsts

Designed as a welcoming entry point into UD’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Spring Pitch Party is a low-barrier, high-energy celebration of ideas—no business plan or prototype required. Just a concept, a little courage, and 90 seconds.

"I was nervous to pitch, but the judges and their facial expressions were comforting in helping me calm my nerves during my pitch” - Brenna Billingsley (ReelChic)

The event also offered a glimpse into the broader Horn Entrepreneurship community. Students not only received real-time feedback from alumni judges but also connected with peers, mentors, and supporters who share a passion for innovation. The Pitch Party also featured many local businesses and startups selling their products including Arima Skincare, Imprve, Alisa’s Adorables, and creativehandsbykt.

Looking Ahead

As the evening wrapped up, it was clear that UD’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and growing. With support from the Horn Entrepreneurship team and the E-Club, students continue to explore what’s possible when ideas are given a platform to bloom.

Missed this event? Stay connected with Horn Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship Club for future pitch competitions, venture support, and opportunities to get involved.

Whether you’re pitching or just cheering from the crowd, Spring Pitch Party proves there’s always room to grow.

About Horn

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.