Stories & Updates

For this recent University of Delaware graduate, entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business, it’s about building community. With a degree in Environmental Studies, a certificate in Eco-Entrepreneurship, and a passion for creating ethical, environmentally conscious solutions, Alana Hill, class of 2025, is already making waves with Island Dream Clean, a venture that blends eco-friendly products with education and connection.

Entrepreneur and alumnus Tom Stauffer, class of 2024, has turned a passion for cars and content into a multi-business brand. As the founder of Tom’s Refurb, he creates unique automotive videos that have fueled the growth of three ventures: tomsrefurb.shop (an online shop for branded gear), Patreon (a subscription platform where fans support creators in exchange for exclusive content), and Speedy’s Equipment (an automotive performance parts business). From small engine repairs as a teen to designing his own auto parts today, Tom’s entrepreneurial journey shows the power of creativity, persistence, and building with purpose.

Megana Madhurakavi was just 14 when she decided that she wanted to “break free from the clutches of fast fashion,” she writes onhttps://shopliila.com, the website for her sustainable clothing.

Horn Entrepreneurship rolled out the welcome mat for the Class of 2029 with the Ignite! early move-in program, a three-day adventure designed to make the first days on campus unforgettable. From move-in boxes to backyard games, students got a true taste of Blue Hen life and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Horn.

From pitching bold ideas as a high schooler in the EntreX dual enrollment program to launching ventures through Horn’s startup programs and now driving impact as an intrapreneur within a legacy nonprofit, Lynn Roberts, Class of 2024, has experienced the full arc of Horn Entrepreneurship.

After 12 weeks of building, testing, pitching, and growing, 19 student-led ventures are ready to take the stage. Horn Entrepreneurship invites you to join us for the 2025 Summer Founders Demo Day on Thursday, August 14, where this year’s cohort will showcase their startups and share the progress they’ve made in UD’s premier startup pre-accelerator. Admission is complimentary, but advance registration is requested. Register now.

Nineteen teams have been selected for Horn Entrepreneurship’s 2025 Summer Founders pre-accelerator program. This intensive 10-week experience gives University of Delaware students and recent graduates the opportunity to build their ventures full time with the support of resources, mentorship, and funding.

Meet Brian Mahon (BS in Entrepreneurship & Technology Innovation, Class of 2017), better known as Cyber Guy Bri, and founder of Igloo Insurance, a modern independent agency specializing in cyber, business, and personal insurance. With a career built on entrepreneurial grit, digital marketing savvy, and a bold leap into thought leadership, Brian shares what inspired him to launch Igloo and why reinvention can be a powerful tool for building a business that’s cool, credible, and completely his own.

From working behind the scenes at Horn Entrepreneurship to launching her own creative business, UD Class of 2020 alumna Allison Sanders has charted a bold and unconventional path. In this Q&A, she reflects on what it’s like to be a solopreneur, the lessons she’s carried from campus into her career, and what advice she’d give to students looking to launch something of their own.

Horn Entrepreneurship celebrated the achievements of 11 outstanding University of Delaware undergraduate students by awarding them more than $10,000 in cash and Venture Development Center (VDC) credit. These honors recognize the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within the university's student body.