--- title: Stories and Updates | Horn Entrepreneurship | startup advice description: startup advice | Stories, news and updates from Horn Entrepreneurship, the creative engine of University of Delaware --- [![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) ### [Limitless Connections, World-Changing Ideas](https://horn.udel.edu/limitless-connections-world-changing-ideas) The pathway to positive world-change isn’t a journey one should take alone, but rather hand-in-hand with like-minded visionaries — that’s what young entrepreneurs from 13 countries and 20 U.S. states learned firsthand at the 2026 Limitless World Summit, a conference hosted by the University of Delaware’s [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/) for high school students to learn and grow together as leaders in business and innovation. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/limitless-connections-world-changing-ideas) by [Cori Burcham](https://horn.udel.edu/author/cori-burcham) • August 24, 2026 Topics: [pre college](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pre-college), [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation) ### [From Campus Advocacy to Polaris Pathways. Meet Darian Elmendorf](https://horn.udel.edu/from-campus-advocacy-to-polaris-pathways.-meet-darian-elmendorf) Darian Elmendorf’s path as a founder began with a deeply personal mission: making mental health support more accessible, relatable and sustainable. As he returned home to restart the project years ago, he turned a broad mental health group landscape into a specialized workforce development firm through [Polaris Pathways](https://polarispathways.com/). [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/from-campus-advocacy-to-polaris-pathways.-meet-darian-elmendorf) by [Ryan Shore](https://horn.udel.edu/author/ryan-shore) • July 13, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders) ### [Alec Boyd’s Equivly: Fixing Credit Transfer Confusion](https://horn.udel.edu/alec-boyds-equivly-fixing-credit-transfer-confusion) [Alec Boyd](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecmboyd/) is a fall 2025 [entrepreneurship grad](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/academic-programs/entr-major/) with a minor in professional selling and sales management and a familiar face in the Venture Development Center. When he tried to transfer a few community college courses back to the University of Delaware to save time and tuition, he hit a wall of PDFs, emails, and outdated processes. Alec leveraged his coursework plus [VentureOn](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/ventureon/), [Pitch Party](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/pitch-party/), and [Hen Hatch](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/hen-hatch/) to turn a personal frustration into a tool that can save students real time and real money: [Equivly](https://www.equivly.com). [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/alec-boyds-equivly-fixing-credit-transfer-confusion) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • February 16, 2026 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [VentureOn](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/ventureon), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders), [Hen Hatch](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hen-hatch) ### [Bridging Design and Manufacturing: Meet Alumnus Rich Hayburn](https://horn.udel.edu/engineering-the-future-with-3d-printing-meet-alumnus-rich-hayburn) Building parts that stand three feet tall isn’t an everyday 3D printing job and that’s exactly where [Relay Manufacturing](https://relaymfg.com/?utm_source=ud_horn&utm_medium=publications&utm_campaign=founder_spotlight) thrives. The manufacturing services company helps organizations bridge the gap between design and production through large-format additive manufacturing and other manufacturing services. The venture was founded by [Rich Hayburn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-hayburn/), a University of Delaware Class of 2020 graduate who studied Mechanical Engineering with an Integrated Design minor, along with a math minor and manufacturing concentration. While at UD, Rich leaned into Horn Entrepreneurship through [Summer Founders](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/summer-founders/), [NSF I-Corps](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/nsf-i-corps/), and [VentureOn](https://www.udel.edu/research-innovation/horn/venture-support/ventureon/), experiences that helped him turn hands-on problem solving into a growing business. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/engineering-the-future-with-3d-printing-meet-alumnus-rich-hayburn) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • January 12, 2026 Topics: [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [VentureOn](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/ventureon), [technology](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/technology), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders) ### [Startup Spirit in Overdrive: Tom Stauffer’s Story of Creativity+Growth](https://horn.udel.edu/startup-spirit-in-overdrive-tom-stauffers-story-of-creativitygrowth) Entrepreneur and alumnus Tom Stauffer, class of 2024, has turned a passion for cars and content into a multi-business brand. As the founder of [Tom’s Refurb](https://www.youtube.com/@TOMSREFURB), he creates unique automotive videos that have fueled the growth of three ventures: [tomsrefurb.shop](https://tomsrefurb.shop/) (an online shop for branded gear), [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/tomsrefurbraw)(a subscription platform where fans support creators in exchange for exclusive content), and [Speedy’s Equipment](https://speedysequipment.com/) (an automotive performance parts business). From small engine repairs as a teen to designing his own auto parts today, Tom’s entrepreneurial journey shows the power of creativity, persistence, and building with purpose. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/startup-spirit-in-overdrive-tom-stauffers-story-of-creativitygrowth) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • October 06, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [Summer Founders](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/summer-founders), [demo day](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/demo-day) ### [Alumna Allison Sanders on Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Taking a Leap](https://horn.udel.edu/alumna-allison-sanders-on-launching-a-creative-business-and-taking-risks) From working behind the scenes at Horn Entrepreneurship to launching her own creative business, UD Class of 2020 alumna [Allison Sanders](https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsandersgoup/) has charted a bold and unconventional path. In this Q&A, she reflects on what it’s like to be a solopreneur, the lessons she’s carried from campus into her career, and what advice she’d give to students looking to launch something of their own. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/alumna-allison-sanders-on-launching-a-creative-business-and-taking-risks) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • June 16, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [careers](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/careers), [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups) ### [Navigating Bias & Brevity: How Pitch Q&A Responses Impact Funding](https://horn.udel.edu/navigating-bias-brevity-how-pitch-qa-responses-impact-funding) 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. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/navigating-bias-brevity-how-pitch-qa-responses-impact-funding) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • February 10, 2025 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [women entrepreneurs](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/women-entrepreneurs), [research](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/research) ### [Hen Hatch 2022: Your Idea, 3 Rounds, $50K](https://horn.udel.edu/hen-hatch-2022-your-idea-3-rounds-50k) Calling all Blue Hen student entrepreneurs: apply to University of Delaware’s premier startup funding competition, [Hen Hatch](http://www.udel.edu/henhatch). This program is a once-a-year opportunity for UD students to put their best ideas forward and compete for a portion of a $50,000 prize pool. [The submission deadline is September 16](https://my.reviewr.com/site/Hen_Hatch_Funding_Competition_2022). [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/hen-hatch-2022-your-idea-3-rounds-50k) by [Horn Entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/author/horn-entrepreneurship) • August 23, 2022 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [resources](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/resources), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [innovation](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/innovation), [Hen Hatch](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/hen-hatch) ### [Startups win $112,500](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-associated-startups-won-112500)   Three UD-affiliated startups won big at the 2022 Startup302, Delaware's premier funding competition for technology-enabled startups led by underrepresented founders. [Carbon Reform](https://www.carbonreform.com/) , [Resonate Forward](https://resonateforward.com/) , and [Omnipotential Energy](https://omnipotential.com/) won a combined prize of $112,500.  This year’s Startup302 competition attracted 125 startups from Delaware, the Philadelphia region, the United States and countries including Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Nigeria, Uganda and Bangladesh. These teams competed for a prize pool totaling $170,000.  [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-associated-startups-won-112500) by [Max Sewell](https://horn.udel.edu/author/max-sewell) • June 29, 2022 Topics: [alumni](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/alumni), [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [women entrepreneurs](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/women-entrepreneurs), [commercialization](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/commercialization) ### [Horn Entrepreneurship’s VentureOn-line; A Pitch Voting Event](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-entrepreneurships-ventureon-line-a-pitch-voting-event)     Members of VentureON take a moment before beginning earlier this spring semester. This semester brings a brand new opportunity for VentureOn teams to expand their viewability and grow their own support network for their startup! An online voting event will be held from May 9 and will remain open until May 20. Founders will fully promote themselves and their startups to gain the most votes. [Read More](https://horn.udel.edu/horn-entrepreneurships-ventureon-line-a-pitch-voting-event) by [Brandon Leo](https://horn.udel.edu/author/brandon-leo) • May 09, 2022 Topics: [entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship), [events](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/events), [social entrepreneurship](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/social-entrepreneurship), [competition](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/competition), [opportunities](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/opportunities), [students](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/students), [startup advice](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice), [startups](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startups), [pitching](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/pitching), [VentureOn](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/ventureon) 1 [2](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice/page/2) [3](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/startup-advice/page/3) ### Subscribe to Blog Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [entrepreneurship (244)](https://horn.udel.edu/topic/entrepreneurship) - 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