--- title: Stories and Updates | Horn Entrepreneurship | innovation (2) description: innovation | Stories, news and updates from Horn Entrepreneurship, the creative engine of University of Delaware (2) --- [![University of Delaware](https://horn.udel.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/HPE_Jan2017/logo.png?width=168&height=70&name=logo.png "University of Delaware")](http://udel.edu) #### Horn Entrepreneurship # [Stories & Updates](https://horn.udel.edu) ### [Meet the 2026 Summer Founders Cohort](https://horn.udel.edu/meet-the-2026-summer-founders-cohort) Eleven teams have been selected for Horn Entrepreneurship’s 2026 Summer Founders pre-accelerator program. This intensive 11-week experience gives University of Delaware students and recent graduates the opportunity to build their ventures full time with the support of resources, equity-free stipend funding, and venture-specific mentorship. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/meet-the-2026-summer-founders-cohort) by [Ryan Shore](https://horn.udel.edu/author/ryan-shore) • June 02, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders), [pre-accelerator](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-accelerator) ### [REEF@UD Fellows Showcase Bold Ideas for a More Sustainable Future](https://horn.udel.edu/reefud-fellows-showcase-bold-ideas-for-a-more-sustainable-future) From sustainable fashion and food waste reduction to coastal restoration and eco-friendly products, University of Delaware students showcased bold ideas for a healthier planet at the fifth annual REEF@UD Demo Day on Monday, May 4, at the Venture Development Center. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/reefud-fellows-showcase-bold-ideas-for-a-more-sustainable-future) by [Ryan Shore](https://horn.udel.edu/author/ryan-shore) • May 13, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [awards](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards), [entrepreneurship and science](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-science), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [environment](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/environment), [REEF@UD](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/reefud) ### [Advancing Innovation and Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/advancing-innovation-and-entrepreneurship)   The University of Delaware Board of Trustees unanimously voted to establish the Neil Book School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at its semiannual meeting on Monday, May 11.   [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/advancing-innovation-and-entrepreneurship) by [UDaily Staff](https://horn.udel.edu/author/udaily-staff) • May 12, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [success stories](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/success-stories), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [commercialization](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/commercialization) ### [Eco-Innovators Compete on the Stage at REEF@UD Demo Day](https://horn.udel.edu/eco-innovators-compete-on-the-stage-at-reefud-demo-day) The fifth annual **Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows (REEF@UD)** [**Demo Day**](https://www.tfaforms.com/5215597) is quickly approaching! On **Monday, May 4, from 4-7 p.m.** at the Venture Development Center, a variety of student teams will take the stage in front of expert judges to pitch their original, clever new solutions that push to innovate and fight against pressing environmental challenges.  [Please register to attend](https://horn.udel.edu/e3t/Ctc/RE+113/chxys04/VWwTm85RWC7WW870Pnc6QKR3WW5_BCzp5Lr7SBN1vWRrH3qgz0W69sMD-6lZ3k_W6KxJlx42338hW558ZrC9dx41dVCKS5x39x25rN86qtVBndt4ZW5q1z9g593Z9jW8Gy0Ry8vH9fZN48PJfRKmzd9W8ZYHjZ1F3mP5W5DLdwW6-5kdvW1kwj1L7PY3WWW6HRqsF1DZkkdW5DrkX59jJS5mW3n0h9x7x3xDvVSTLwh11mNsFW1xyrN-4fr3FJVvP_F47C6B6zW8GKk4_3Lsd4BVz4_dH6S5J5SW4kJgzY8MV_nNW3xqzdv2qQgBkf179RKH04) by April 30. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/eco-innovators-compete-on-the-stage-at-reefud-demo-day) by [Ryan Shore](https://horn.udel.edu/author/ryan-shore) • April 13, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship and science](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-science), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [environment](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/environment), [REEF@UD](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/reefud) ### [Horn Honor Circle of Innovators inducts 6 transformational leaders](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-honor-circle-of-innovators-inducts-6-transformational-leaders) Six more people have been inducted into Horn Entrepreneurship’s [Honor Circle of Innovators](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/alumni-community/blue-hen-recognition-initiative/), which recognizes transformational leaders who shape the future through innovation and entrepreneurship in Delaware and beyond. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-honor-circle-of-innovators-inducts-6-transformational-leaders) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • December 16, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [careers](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/careers), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) ### [Big Ideas Challenge Aims to Turn Research into Business](https://horn.udel.edu/big-ideas-challenge-aims-to-turn-research-into-business) [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/big-ideas-challenge-aims-to-turn-research-into-business) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • December 15, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [entrepreneurship and science](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-science), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) ### [Startup tackling spiked drinks wins over Hen Hatch judges](https://horn.udel.edu/startup-tackling-spiked-drinks-wins-over-hen-hatch-judges) The final round of Hen Hatch featured four teams with widely divergent concepts: straws that change color to discreetly reveal spiked drinks, an app for women to manage chronic health conditions, a clothing line that supports animal shelters and autonomous robots that look for leaks in water lines. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/startup-tackling-spiked-drinks-wins-over-hen-hatch-judges) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • December 12, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [awards](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards), [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [Hen Hatch](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hen-hatch) ### [Alumna’s ‘Shark Tank’ win mirrors Horn’s national rise](https://horn.udel.edu/alumnas-shark-tank-win-mirrors-horns-national-rise) ### UD alumna’s success comes as Horn Entrepreneurship climbs into the top 25 in the 2026 Princeton Review rankings When University of Delaware alumna Maya Nazareth secured a $300,000 investment on *Shark Tank* this year for her company Alchemize Fightwear, she became the latest example of a Blue Hen turning an idea into national impact. Her rapid growth in the combat-sports apparel market reflects the entrepreneurial mindset fostered at UD and arrives as [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/) earns new national recognition. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/alumnas-shark-tank-win-mirrors-horns-national-rise) by [Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics](https://horn.udel.edu/author/alfred-lerner-college-of-business-economics) • November 21, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [awards](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/awards), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders) ### [Celebrate UD’s Entrepreneurial Spirit at Blue Hen Innovation Fest](https://horn.udel.edu/celebrate-uds-entrepreneurial-spirit-at-blue-hen-innovation-fest) Get ready to celebrate creativity, big ideas, and entrepreneurial energy at the University of Delaware’s [**Blue Hen Innovation Fest**](https://horn.udel.edu/2025-blue-hen-innovation-fest) on **December 4**. This dynamic event brings together UD students, alumni, and community members to connect, collaborate, and showcase their ventures. Whether you’re launching a startup, supporting fellow innovators, or simply curious about the future of entrepreneurship, this is the place to be! [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/celebrate-uds-entrepreneurial-spirit-at-blue-hen-innovation-fest) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • November 07, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [community](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) ### [Deep Dive into Innovation: Evan McArdle and Coral Restoration](https://horn.udel.edu/deep-dive-into-innovation-evan-mcardle-and-coral-restoration) After six years of service in the United States Air Force, Evan McArdle, class of 2025, found a new mission: protecting the planet. Initially pursuing psychology at West Chester University, he realized his true calling lay in environmental science. That realization brought him to the University of Delaware, where he began his studies in Environmental Studies in 2022. It was there that he discovered an unexpected passion beneath the surface, scuba diving. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/deep-dive-into-innovation-evan-mcardle-and-coral-restoration) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • October 29, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship and science](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship-and-science), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [environment](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/environment), [REEF@UD](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/reefud) [1](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/1) 2 [3](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/3) [4](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/4) [5](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/5) […](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/7) [10](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation/page/10) ### Subscribe to Blog Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [entrepreneurship (242)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship) - [community (225)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/community) - [students (158)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students) - 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