The University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship recently hosted their fall pitch party at the Venture Development Center, complete with 31 student pitch presentations and a $1,500 prize pool - an all-time high in pitch party history. 
The biannual pitch event features students delivering 90-second pitches to a panel of judges in a fun and friendly environment. Students are encouraged to share their ideas and get a taste of pitching in front of a live audience. The panel of judges was comprised of Cha Cha Hudson, adjunct faculty for the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies and founder of The SEWcial Cafe; Kenny Eck, Master's in Entrepreneurship and Design and founder of Patient Sortal; Kelsey Kosinski, Master's in Fashion and Apparel Studies and founder of Fash'IN'.
The first place prize of $750 was awarded to team Keyhole Games, an independent video game company that aims to increase the interest of Delaware youth game design by providing a program for them to learn the different aspects of it. The idea was pitched by entrepreneurship freshman Michael Shumate.
The second place prize of $500 was awarded to team Avolinj, an automated line judge system for volleyball. This venture was started by Brianna Bannach ('20), an entrepreneurship major, and Jared Piñeiro ('20), an electrical engineering major.
The third place prize of $250 was awarded to team Invest to Flip, a business that builds relationships with investors who have the means and desire to grow their money quicker through real estate. The idea was pitched by finance and entrepreneurship student Jesse Nguyen ('21). He invests other people's money into low risk, high yield real estate projects. Jesse says, "This was an awesome experience to connect with other student entrepreneurs and give and receive feedback to and from one another."
“The main goal of the pitch party was to show as many students as possible what Horn Entrepreneurship is all about. After talking with students, I discovered they feel better about their experience at UD after getting involved in entrepreneurship at the VDC.” - Vince DiFelice, Senior Instructor of Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of Venture Support.
Horn Entrepreneurship hosts two pitch parties annually. The spring pitch party date will be announced next semester.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the University of Delaware’s creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement. Built and actively supported by successful entrepreneurs and thought leaders, Horn Entrepreneurship empowers aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
