Stories & Updates

Seventeen research teams will participate in the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) Sites program to assess the commercial viability of their academic research, university intellectual property, or any STEM-related technology. The 20th cohort to enter the program at Horn Entrepreneurship started their five-week series of workshops and market research on October 5.

Do you have a unique idea for a potential business and want to get feedback, exposure, and funding to further develop it? If so, Horn Entrepreneurship’s Hen Hatch competition could be a perfect opportunity for you! Through the Hen Hatch startup funding competition, UD students are able to share their business concepts with accomplished industry professionals, making connections, gathering feedback and gaining experience all the way through. On top of the value that the feedback and experience offer, the top teams selected by our panel of judges will receive a combined total of over $50,000 in funding and prizes. Start your application today!

The Blue Hen Proof of Concept program (POC), Horn’s startup incubator, was awarded $50,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). 

Horn Entrepreneurship and E-Club will be hosting the 2021 Fall Pitch Party virtually on October 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. The Pitch Party is an event hosted each semester in which undergraduate students pitch a startup idea in 90 seconds for a new business, innovation or invention in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Meet John Cusick. Joining the Horn Team as a Lead Mentor, John plans to utilize his love for coaching young entrepreneurs and his Gore experience in bringing technology to the market.

University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and Horn Entrepreneurship are proud to announce the 37 2021 Blue Hen 17&43 Award winners.

First impressions are everything; we have heard the old adage from our parents, professors, and bosses. We have learned to dress smartly, make eye contact and offer a strong handshake. But how does an entrepreneurship education program make a first impression? How does Horn Entrepreneurship shake hands with its newest students?

As the fall semester begins to pick up speed, don’t forget to mark your calendars for all of the amazing entrepreneurial events and happenings coming up!

This article is part of a series describing how UD Horn Entrepreneurship assists teams in moving their inventions and innovations into the marketplace, a process known as commercialization. A customized blend of resources, including training, mentorship, and funding, is provided to each team through the Blue Hen Proof of Concept Program. Additional mentorship and support is provided by Horn Entrepreneurship partners including the Office of Economic, Innovations and Partnerships and Delaware’s Small Business Development Center.

By Tracey Bryant and Catherine Zandonella, Princeton • August 25, 2021