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.

The fourth annual Ratcliffe Eco Entrepreneurship Fellows (REEF@UD) Demo Day is just around the corner! On Monday, May 5, from 4–7 p.m. at the Venture Development Center, nine student teams will take the stage to pitch their bold, sustainability-focused ventures to a panel of expert judges.

UD Entrepreneurship Club and Horn Entrepreneurship present: The Spring Pitch Party – an open call for big ideas, budding founders, and the UD community to come together for a fun, fast-paced night of innovation.

Our faculty are always on the move. Last summer, Dr. Laura Gasiorowski, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, captivated audiences at the Academy of Management Annual Conference in Chicago, IL, where she unveiled her research on how entrepreneurs’ responses during pitch Q&A sessions influence their chances of securing funding. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Gasiorowski to dive deeper into her compelling findings.

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.

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.

For young and ambitious entrepreneurs, summertime offers an ideal opportunity to nurture and refine their ventures amidst great weather, ample free time, and positive vibes. The Summer Founders program allows a select group of students to fully immerse themselves in developing their startups. Congratulations to this year’s eight teams!

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.