Stories & Updates

Four teams competed in the final round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition, and all four won thousands of dollars from a panel of judges – plus $2,500 for travel expenses to other competitions and often time with consultants.

With a career spanning three continents, Dr. Abayomi Akinboye brings a truly global perspective to entrepreneurship education. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics, he leverages experiences from Nigeria, Malaysia, and New Zealand to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. We sat down with Dr. Akinboye to learn more about his journey.

Calling all innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers! Get ready to celebrate creativity, groundbreaking ideas, and entrepreneurial spirit at the University of Delaware’s Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 5. This exciting new festival is a unique opportunity for UD students, alumni, and community members to connect, collaborate, and showcase their entrepreneurial journeys. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a seasoned innovator, or someone curious to learn more about the future of entrepreneurship, this event has something inspiring for everyone!

Four teams advanced to the final round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition, at the 2024 Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 5. These finalists will compete to find out how much of the $50,000 prize pool will help them advance their ventures.

The Venture Development Center was packed Wednesday night for the 2024 Fall Pitch Party. The event, designed for students new to pitching, provided a stage for innovative ideas, a space for networking, and a showcase for student startups. Everyone who participated received a $20 gift card, while the top 3 received monetary prizes in recognition of their outstanding presentations and concept potential.

Eleven teams advanced to the second round of Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition. These semifinalists will compete on October 25 to find out which of the promising concepts will advance to the final round of Hen Hatch at the 2024 Blue Hen Innovation Fest on December 5.

Do you have an idea for a new product or service?  The Fall Pitch Party will occur at the Venture Development Center on Wednesday, October 23 from 6 pm-7:30 pm. The Pitch Party is a unique event tailored for UD students who are new to the experience of pitching ideas.

Over the past year, University of Delaware’s community of brilliant entrepreneurs and innovators continues to shine, leaving a trail of impressive achievements in their wake. From securing vital funding through investments and grants to earning top honors in awards and competitions, UD students, faculty, and alumni consistently push the boundaries of excellence. Their hard work and ingenuity have garnered well-deserved recognition from notable figures and publications alike. Below, we celebrate their remarkable accomplishments, categorized by the incredible contributions of the students, alumni, faculty & staff, and the Horn National Advisory Board.

Entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey have access to a wide array of resources at UD. One such resource is the NSF I-Corps @ UD Propelus program, which trains teams in evidence-based entrepreneurship over four weeks. Meet the teams in Propelus Cohort 1.