Stories & Updates

On Wednesday, February 18, entrepreneurship majors, Delaware Innovation Fellows, faculty, and staff swam over to the Venture Development Center (VDC) for the biannual semester kick-off event. Sponsored by REEF@UD, this year’s “Under the Sea” theme transformed the VDC into a cozy coral reef, complete with an inviting spread of sea-themed goodies like shark-cuterie and sea breeze spirals. Hosted by the Student Experience team, the gathering launched a swell of lively networking, anchoring new connections and a tide of camaraderie.

As the leaves turn and a new school year begins, it’s the perfect season to plant the seeds of your next big idea. Horn Entrepreneurship offers students a variety of opportunities this fall to connect, learn, and grow as innovators. Whether you’re just curious about startups or already knee-deep in building your own venture, there’s something waiting for you.

Third-year Delaware Innovation Fellows students present final-phase projects at annual showcase

The spirit of creativity, problem-solving, and social impact was on full display at the Delaware Innovation Fellows (DIF) Innovation Showcase, held on Wednesday, May 14 in Trabant University Center. The event spotlighted the final-phase projects of DIF students, capping their three-year journey through Horn Entrepreneurship’s signature enrichment program.

On Wednesday, February 19, entrepreneurship majors, minors, faculty, and staff gathered at the Venture Development Center (VDC) for the biannual semester kick-off event. This semester’s theme, “Connections Café,” transformed the VDC into a cozy coffeehouse, complete with an inviting spread of muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and a self-serve coffee, tea, and hot chocolate bar. The event, hosted by the Student Experience team, set the stage for an engaging morning of networking and camaraderie.

Spring is the season of growth, and what better way to cultivate your entrepreneurial dreams than by taking advantage of the many opportunities available this semester? Whether you're new to entrepreneurship, have a startup idea, or are already scaling your venture, there's something for everyone. Here's a look at what’s in store for students this spring.

Effective leadership in the dynamic world of innovation and entrepreneurship is essential, driving both growth and creativity. At the heart of this leadership is the ability to lead oneself before guiding others. The Siegfried Fellows program is founded on this principle. Meet the 2024-2025 cohort of Siegfried Fellows.

For young and ambitious entrepreneurs, summertime offers an ideal opportunity to nurture and refine their ventures amidst great weather, ample free time, and positive vibes. The Summer Founders program allows a select group of students to fully immerse themselves in developing their startups. Congratulations to this year’s eight teams!

Confidence, it's a quality often lauded as the cornerstone of success, the catalyst for self-assurance, and the formula that supports individuals toward their goals. However, upon closer inspection, you may find that the concept of confidence can sometimes lack a fixed and concrete meaning. It's one of those things that you have the power to define, control, and master. The way you can gain and later display this all comes down to your experiences and perspective. For some, confidence may manifest as a quiet inner strength, while for others, it's expressed through outward charisma and assertiveness. Ultimately, the meaning of confidence is a reflection of our individual journey.

Are you a student leader looking to take your skills to the next level? Are you eager to make a tangible impact on your campus and beyond? Look no further than the Siegfried Fellows program. The Siegfried Fellows program is a highly selective, cohort-based, 10-month immersive experience tailored for students with leadership aspirations. Its curriculum aims to enhance self-awareness and personal growth, foster connections with regional leaders, and ignite a drive for positive change. Participants are aspiring leaders striving to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets, resilience, and creative problem-solving skills, all while nurturing their character virtues.

Following much deliberation, the finalists for Hen Hatch 2022, the University of Delaware’s much-anticipated premier startup competition, have been selected. The submissions this year have been from a wide range of industries, colleges, and interests, truly showing that the spirit of entrepreneurship can be found anywhere. This year’s teams made it hard on our semifinal judges, but we have managed to narrow it down to a few particularly promising and innovative startups we are proud to showcase in the final round.