Stories & Updates

The Entrepreneurship Club’s Spring Pitch Party was full of fresh new ideas on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Students brought their ideas to the market for a night filled with fresh pitches, innovative ideas, and cash prizes.

Arielle Mahugu, Class of 2027, is turning her interest in science and wellness into something tangible through Arima Skincare. A Biological Sciences major with a Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor, Arielle is building a skincare brand while balancing academics, leadership roles, and hands-on entrepreneurial experiences through Horn. From Pitch Party and VentureOn to Hen Hatch and E-Club, Arielle has been steadily growing as both a founder and a student leader.

Alec Boyd is a fall 2025 entrepreneurship grad 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college courses back to the University of Delaware to save time and tuition, he hit a wall of PDFs, emails, and outdated processes.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, Pitch Party, and Hen Hatch to turn a personal frustration into a tool that can save students real time and real money: Equivly.

The EntreX Impact Talk series continued this quarter with a conversation focused on sustainability, climate innovation and entrepreneurship. Hosted by Horn Entrepreneurship, the event featured Jo Norris, co-founder and CEO of Carbon Reform, a climate technology startup working to reduce building emissions through HVAC innovation.

Building parts that stand three feet tall isn’t an everyday 3D printing job and that’s exactly where Relay Manufacturing 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, 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, NSF I-Corps, and VentureOn, experiences that helped him turn hands-on problem solving into a growing business.

Get ready to celebrate creativity, big ideas, and entrepreneurial energy at the University of Delaware’s 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!

The Entrepreneurship Club’s Fall Pitch Party knocked it out of the park on Wednesday, October 22, bringing rookie pitchers and seasoned innovators together for an evening of high-energy ideas, cheering fans, and cash prizes.

Do you have an idea for a new product or service? Step up to the plate and take a swing at the Fall Pitch Party on Wednesday, October 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Venture Development Center (VDC). This baseball-themed event is perfect for rookies who are new to pitching ideas or veteran players. It’s a fun, fast-paced night where creativity meets community and everyone walks away a winner.

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.

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, he creates unique automotive videos that have fueled the growth of three ventures: tomsrefurb.shop (an online shop for branded gear), Patreon (a subscription platform where fans support creators in exchange for exclusive content), and Speedy’s Equipment (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.