Summer Founders runs for 12 weeks from June 3 to August 15 at the Venture Development Center. Students are granted a stipend to work on developing their ventures. The program includes weekly mentoring and educational sessions in addition to progress meetings with advisors. The Summer Founders program’s flexible structure and individualized mentorship ensure that each team will work on achieving specific goals. On August 15, Summer Founders concludes with Demo Day in which this year’s cohort will showcase their progress for other students, faculty, mentors, advisors and community members.
Teams hail from all types of majors, years, and backgrounds. Meet the 2024 Summer Founders:
1- One Click Docs
(Alex Berman, Mechanical Engineering Major, Class of 2026)
Software solutions customized for each client's needs. For small to medium-sized businesses that can benefit from further automating their workflow. Services include connecting software applications that automatically execute when an action occurs.
2- KitchCo
(Evyn Appel, Sustainable Food Systems Major, Class of 2025)
(Thomas Kramer, Sustainable Food Systems Major, Class of 2024)
An app that helps consumers reduce food waste and save money every month! Track what you buy, get help with recipe ideas, and make adjustments to your buying habits to save your wallet and the world.
3- Dress Fragile
(Cade Kreuger, Entrepreneurship Major, Class of 2024)
A second-hand clothing brand that creates the same value that many others find in "buying new".
4- Convertible Dress
(Annabelle Brame, Fashion Design & Product Innovation Major, Class of 2024)
Made from deadstock and scrap fabric a four-way reversible dress with sleeve and hem attachments to create more options with less space.
5- Big Rig's Lionfish Spearfishing Expedition and Charter
(Thomas Repetz, Marine Science Major, Class of 2024)
Operating and offering several excursions including lionfish spearfishing, eco-tour, sandbar trip, sunset cruise, and booze cruise.
6- Offshore Fishing Intel Service
(Dylan Mooney, Civil Engineering Major, Class of 2024)
Reliable and specific information to private offshore fishermen targeting tuna, marlin, and wahoo at an affordable price. This will be accomplished by creating daily reports using intel gathered from skilled charter fishing boats in the desired area.
7- WePlan
(Joshua Artis, Computer Science Major, Class of 2024)
(Hanna Armstong, Biomedical Engineering Major, Class of 2024)
WePlan redefines event planning with its innovative platform. The goal is to create a smart UI RFP system that simplifies venue selection by matching event criteria with local venues, catering to both novice and experienced planners. Will be your one-stop-shop for all things events.
8- Maker Pants
(Jenna Tomasch, Fashion Design & Product Innovation Major, Class of 2025)
One size fits most overalls that can be worn over top of clothing and donned without taking off shoes. They are meant to protect people and clothing from hazardous or messy situations.
In conclusion, for young and ambitious entrepreneurs, innovation knows no bounds. Summertime, with its favorable conditions of weather, leisure, and positivity, presents an exceptional opportunity to nurture and refine ventures. Participating in Summer Founders at the Venture Development Center offers invaluable support through a 12-week program encompassing mentoring, educational sessions, and progress meetings. This year, eight diverse teams from various disciplines are poised to showcase their innovative projects on Demo Day, marking the culmination of their transformative journey. This platform helps to foster individuals' entrepreneurial growth but also celebrates the creativity and dedication of each team striving to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields and businesses.
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.
