CorpCo Blog

Hen Hatch competition to provide more than $40,000 in cash and services to startups.   In an effort to support innovation in the UD community, the Entrepreneurial Studies (E-Studies) Program is pleased to announce Hen Hatch, an annual venture funding competition.

Hen Hatch, a three-stage competition involving everything from written business concepts to venture funding pitches, will boast two competitive tracks at its inaugural event: a student track and an alumni, faculty and staff track. Up for grabs for the winners are prize packages of cash and in-kind services with a total value of more than $40,000.

Signed industry partners who have joined the effort, making prizes and opportunities possible include: legal services firm Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz, LLP; accounting services firm Belfint, Lyons & Shuman; professional incorporation service company CorpCo; the Emerging Enterprise Center at the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce; and the Emerging Technology Center, a program of Delaware’s Economic Development Office.

“Community response to the creation of Hen Hatch has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Dan Freeman, faculty director of the E-Studies program. “Because of industry support, we’re excited to be able to offer generous prizes that will support innovation and startup ventures.”

In addition to plentiful prizes, Hen Hatch opens the doors for a more diverse group of participants. Unlike many other entrepreneurship programs that offer student-only competitions, Hen Hatch’s inclusion of the alumni, faculty and staff track is a first for UD and provides a point of differentiation for the competition.

The idea for the two-track option emerged from close collaborative work between the E-Studies program and the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships at UD.

“The inclusion of this second track reflects our joint commitment to support all members of the Blue Hen family who have entrepreneurial aspirations,” says Freeman. “It also reflects our shared vision of establishing a vibrant entrepreneurial community centered around the University of Delaware.”

Participants in both tracks of Hen Hatch 2012 will compete through three stages. Stage 1 will involve the submission of a three- to five-page business concept. Stage 2 will involve the development and presentation of full venture funding pitches by those who submitted the best 10-12 concepts in each track. Stage 3 will involve refined final pitches by those who presented the three best pitches in each track.

 Final presentations for Hen Hatch 2012 will be part of the University’s annual President’s Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 2012.

December, 2011 – CorpCo is enjoying our new membership with the New Jersey State Chamber as we attend the “Everything Jersey” event !