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.

Graduating from college is a pivotal moment in a person's life, marking the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. Noticing all those early mornings, busy days, and late nights. It's a time of celebration and reflection as graduates prepare to step into the next chapter of their lives. Whether the journey has been straightforward or filled with unexpected challenges, reaching this milestone is a significant achievement that opens the door to a world of new opportunities. We celebrate the resilience and achievements of those who have reached this important turning point.

The 4th Annual Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows Pitch Day, hosted by Horn Entrepreneurship at the Venture Development Center recently took place Monday May 6. Nine participants with a strong passion for the environment and sustainability came together to pitch their ideas to the judges and compete for a grab at the cash prize. Ideas ranged in all areas from, sustainable home buying, to energy conversion, to aquatic ecosystem preservation.

On April 10th, Horn Entrepreneurship and the E-Club hosted the fan favorite 2024 Spring Pitch party at the Venture Development Center, which was transformed into a charming tropical getaway for the night. During this school year, once again driven and zealous entrepreneurial talents were brought together ready to pitch their ideas against each other, whether it's for some pitching practice or the cash prize. The night consisted of 15 90 second pitches from students of varying majors and experience levels, each with their own unique startup ideas to share with the eager audience.

Where ideas meet innovation and charisma meets community, 2024 Diamond Challenge Summit. From April 25th to 27th, a conference celebrating entrepreneurial high school students from all around the globe, featured workshops, panel discussions, innovation sprints, and networking opportunities. Over the past few days, we've witnessed a convergence of groundbreaking ideas, disruptive strategies, and valuable insights shared by some of the brightest minds in the entrepreneurial landscape. 

At the Hen Hatch 2023 event, a gathering of outstanding young entrepreneurs demonstrated their dedication and willingness to put in the work to compete for funding based on their ventures. Amongst the other entrepreneurs participating in the innovation showcase and the finalist round, Samantha McGhee shined bright. She was able to pitch Miss Boulevard with grace and charisma that engaged the crowd and judges. Landing her some crucial funding for her entrepreneurial journey.

WE Hatch is here to support, uplift, and recognize women making strides and impact. WE Hatch seeks to advance creative, innovative and entrepreneurial women within UD and the broader community. Through honor circle ceremonies and speaker breakfasts, women can congregate to share stories and advice with others to continue the cycle of support. On February 14th, a WE Hatch breakfast and interviews was hosted, featuring Chrissi Rawak.

The 2023 Siegfried Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership Workshop & Dinner was a grand event that brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, established business leaders, innovators from various industries, and University of Delaware students. Held on October 3 at the prestigious Wilmington Country Club, this annual gathering provided a platform for participants to engage in meaningful discussions, gain valuable insights, and to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions to the entrepreneurial leadership ecosystem.

The much-anticipated culmination of months of hard work and innovation arrived as the Summer Founder's Demo Day took center stage at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center on August 17. Summer Founders, UD’s pre-accelerator for students, is a 12-week program designed for students with early stage startups to work on their ventures and receive a stipend, mentorship and education sessions. To cap off a summer of innovation and learning, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts gathered for an occasion filled with excitement and anticipation. The atmosphere was charged with a palpable energy, as the spotlight shifted onto the cohort of startups that had undergone an intensive acceleration journey.

University of Delaware Class of ‘94 alumna Joelle Flynn will appear on Shark Tank Feb. 17 to pitch a product designed by her company FunkkOFF! with Co-Founder and Co-CEO Sonia Hounsell. FunkkOFF!, a winner of UD’s Blue Hen 17 & 43 Award in 2021 and 2022, has disrupted the $34B oral care industry with their innovative dental beauty accessory FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers, the only multi-use, all-in-one, oral care solution that fits in the palm of your hand.