Stories & Updates

Article by Christine E. Serio-Shively | Photos by Lindsey Mix | Photo illustration by Heidi McDonough

Once a molecular biology major, Lynn Roberts’ academic journey and interests took a drastic turn from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) when she delved deeper into the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship.  

While the summer heat leads many to long lazy days, two University of Delaware students and one alumna spent the summer of 2021 working diligently to advance social justice and equality of opportunity through their startups. The three changemakers participated in the inaugural Advancing Equity Thru Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Program (ETE), a program designed to support mission-driven social innovators and entrepreneurs as they develop projects and ventures supporting underrepresented and under-resourced groups.

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’s Summer Founders Pre-accelerator came to an end with Demo Day on August 19, 2021. However, the founders continued progress towards more successful startups never ends. The unique experience of Summer Founders increases the possibility of students launching viable startups and social ventures, all while gaining valuable advice that will provide dividends in the coming years. Summer Founders includes all aspects of an accelerator except a financial investment, with cohort members receiving guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, advisors and mentors. The founders are also paid stipends to allow them to fully focus on their startup pursuits as long as they continue to demonstrate progress, much like how they might need to sell an investor on progress to get a next round of 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.

Horn Entrepreneurship is excited to announce the “Advancing Equity Thru Entrepreneurship Summer Internship Challenge.” This new program seeks to provide funding and mentorship support to UD undergraduate students who are actively working to advance social justice and equality of opportunity.

The WE Hatch Practical Insights & Networking Conversations series connects participants with two successful women (a recent graduate and an experienced alumnae leader), who share insights into their careers they wish they had known, practiced or explored earlier. In the virtual sessions participants have the opportunity to listen, discuss, and network in breakout rooms.

Not even five months after Jason Aviles officially opened Green Box Kitchen in Wilmington, restaurants across the nation were abruptly forced to close their doors in response to the arrival of a new and deadly virus. In the following months, Aviles strategically navigated his business through a gauntlet of otherwise earth-shattering obstacles, adapting to the demands of the pandemic.

When Covid-19 began to expose the gaping holes in the structures and systems of the world, entrepreneurship major Nico Repollé was presented with a unique opportunity to begin the work to build a more just and equitable society.

The newly-formed Horn Alumni Council brings to the Horn ecosystem a wide-range of professional experience, as well as an embodiment of Horn’s commitment to Equity Thru Entrepreneurship that proudly represents the program’s alumni through the years.