Stories & Updates

With environmental problems persisting and increasing around the globe, entrepreneurs and change makers are working on new and bold ideas that can tackle the world's foremost sustainability challenges.

The Diamond Challenge, an entrepreneurship platform for high school students from around the world, recently wrapped up its week-long summit which took place virtually this year, from April 11 - 16, 2021.

Hen Hatch is UD's premier entrepreneurial startup funding event.

NEW to Hen Hatch is an option to pre-apply for the fall Hen Hatch 2021 event. Pre-applications are being accepted until Friday, May 28 through 11:59 PM. The official application period follows beginning May 29.

What’s new?

Teams who pre-apply, and advance to the semifinal round but do not advance to the final round, of Hen Hatch will automatically win $500. In past years, only those teams who advance to the final round of Hen Hatch win funding.

University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship honored 37 women as part of the inaugural 2021 WE Hatch Honor Circle, which celebrates women who are supporting and helping each other overcome the unique challenges faced by women innovators. Nominated by their peers, employees, spouses and friends, Honors Circle members have made a lasting impact on their network and community.

Editor’s note: this is a guest post by Qingqing Zhang, April Singleton, Collin Mattia, Derui Huang, Emilie Delaye, and Dr. Stephanie Raible.

Students in Community Empowerment through Social Entrepreneurship (HDFS490), taught by Assistant Professor Dr. Stephanie Raible, are competing with 34 other colleges and universities from across the country in the Up to Us Campus Competition organized by Net Impact.

The University of Delaware is proud to foster a community that supports the development of eco-friendly and sustainable businesses that work towards protecting the environment we live in. Numerous environmental startups and businesses have stemmed from the work of UD students, alumni, staff and faculty.

[Photo by Andrew Hutchins]

At 26 years old, Joe Vela had just quit his Philadelphia tech job to commit to drumming full time and to go on tour with his band, Tweed. It had only been a few years after he and his bandmates had graduated from the University of Delaware, and the opportunity to pursue music was one which they all agreed came only once in a lifetime.

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Adams is a marketing manager for Google, focused on higher education. At UD, she earned a bachelor of arts in mass communication, with minors in journalism and political science in 2013, followed by a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and design, plus a certificate in social media and marketing. While studying at UD, she also worked as a communication specialist for the College of Education and Human Development and as a communication coordinator for the Institute of Global Studies and the Office for International Students and Scholars.

Horn Entrepreneurship held its 2021 Spring Pitch Party virtually this past Wednesday, an event where students were able to pitch ideas for business ventures with the possibility of winning awards and prizes.

Each spring, Horn Entrepreneurship recognizes entrepreneurial students through awards and scholarships totaling almost $10,000 in cash and Venture Development Center credit. Undergraduate students from all majors are invited to apply now through Monday, April 19, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.