University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship is welcoming leading entrepreneurs and innovators to judge Hen Hatch, UD’s premier startup funding competition, scheduled on April 25.

The judges are Frank Andreula, managing director and global head of Client Service, JP Morgan Chase and Co.; Ngozi Bell, regional advocate, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration; Holly Flanagan, managing director, Gabriel Investments; Anthony P. Green, vice president, Technology Commercialization Group, Ben Franklin Technology Partners; Erica Nemser, CEO, Compact Membrane Systems; Brooks H. Pierce, CEO, BHP Consulting Group LLC; and Mark A. Turner, president and CEO, WSFS Bank.                

“The women and men who have volunteered to judge our competition are knowledgeable and experienced professionals, active in the startup and innovation community,” said Vincent DiFelice, faculty member and venture support lead with UD’s Horn Program in Entrepreneurship. “They will help us provide resources and connections to our students, alumni and community. We are fortunate to be associated with them.”

Hen Hatch will be held from 5-9 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, at World Café Live at the Queen in Wilmington, Delaware. Six teams will compete for a $100,000-plus total prize pool. Tickets are $20 for students and $50 for faculty, staff and community members. Tickets can be purchased here or www.udel.edu/henhatch.

Admission to Hen Hatch includes a networking reception, award ceremony and Innovation Showcase, an exhibition of University of Delaware innovation projects and startup businesses. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, including beer and wine, will be provided.

Finalist student team profiles

• GeoSwap is a social networking app that lets users tap into the pulse of their city. GeoSwap includes Jason Bamford and Keith Doggett, College of Engineering, Class of 2017; and Jordan Gonzalez, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics, Class of 2017. Doggett and Gonzalez are both in the University Honors Program.

• Influencia is an influencer marketing platform that brings business and influencers together. Influencia was created by Danilo Vicioso, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2018.

• Revive helps women find a purpose for the clothing they no longer wear through the use of a mobile application. This team includes Rachel Weinberger, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2017; Emma Lynch, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2019; Avalon Greene, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2018; and Palina Ivanova, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2017.

Finalist alumni, faculty and staff team profiles

• Strados Labs offers Pulmawear, which aims to improve chronic respiratory disease management. Nick Delmonico, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2012.

• TenantU is creating a new model for residential property management. This team includes Jacob Jeifa, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2016; Wilson Hsu, College of Engineering, Class of 2015, Krzysztof Czerwinski, College of Engineering, Class of 2016; and Alex Carr, College of Engineering, Xlass of 2017.

• Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel (VTA) offers wearable, therapeutic products that use vibration technology to help alleviate pain. This team includes Amira Idris, College of Engineering and Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, Class of 2016, and Danielle Dubay-Betters, College of Arts and Sciences, Class of 2017.

About the Horn Program in Entrepreneurship

The Horn Program in Entrepreneurship ignites imaginations and empowers world changers through educational offerings that emphasize experiential learning, evidence-based entrepreneurship and active engagement with entrepreneurs and other members of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through participation in Horn Program offerings, students gain the knowledge, skills, personal capacities, experiences, connections and access to resources needed to successfully manifest innovation and thrive in the rapidly changing world.