The 2016 Diamond Challenge final round came to fruition duringΒ the second annualΒ Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES!) at the University of Delaware, also broadcast live thanks to Capital OneΒ (watch the recording here). The day, which included more than 290 attendees from five states and six countries, began with breakout sessions led by esteemed entrepreneurs and innovatorsΒ and was peppered with networking opportunities, including with resource fair exhibitors such as ZeeMee, Β Barrel of Makers, and Schoolyard Ventures. The final round concluded with an inspiring keynote from Katlyn Grasso, founder and CEO of GenHERation. Judges for this year’s final round included Kris Vaddi, entrepreneur, scientist and member of the Horn Program advisory board, Katlyn Grasso of GenHERation, Suzanne Clough, President and CEO of Β Clough Health and Wellness, LLC, Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital, and Delaware Joint Finance Committee Senator Harris McDowell.

 

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The results for the two competitive tracks are as follows:

Business Concept Competition:

1st place winner of $10,000: Nathan Wagener and Gabriel Werner of Retracta-Ball Pump,Β Severna Park, Maryland

2nd place winner of $6,500: Philip Lee, Julian Davis, and Rostam Reifschneider of Polar Solis, La Jolla, California

3rd place winner of $3,500: Aditya Ganapathi and David Hou of Notifica, Palo Alto, California

Retracta-ball

Social Venture Competition (presented by Capital One):

1st place winner of $10,000: Ludmila Zgurean, Vladlen Grecu, Daniela Tihon, and Victoria Bradescu of Do it for Bunica, Orhei, Moldova

2nd place winner of $6,500: Nicole Birkner and Diego Uribe of Fresquiticos, San Jose, Costa Rica

3rd place winner of $3,500: Michael Chan and Emily Yu of MentourU,Β West Chester, Pennsylvania

Do it for Bunica

Details on the Breakout SessionΒ Speakers:

  • Educators Roundtable, Dan Freeman and Julie Frieswyk of the Horn Program
  • Building Your Personal & Professional Brand, Jill Pante of the University of Delaware
  • The Process is the Inspiration, Rich Roat of House Industries
  • Data Science, America’s Most Wanted Skillset, Ryan Swartz of Capital One
  • Startup Story, Shelby Newsome of Tote Magazine
  • The Art & Science of Social Recommendations, Sue Frech of Social Media Link
  • Learn to Code, Change the World, Trevor Geise of Salesbox.io
  • What you think a job is vs. what it really is, Zach Philips of The Kitchen
  • Finding your first customers, Ben Rapkin of Parsley
  • Developing an Entrepreneurship Club at School, Ben Mathew of
  • Be a Maker!, Jessi Taylor of Barrel of Makers
  • Yes, you can!…Come up with LOTS of ideas!, Tony Middlebrooks of the Horn Program

 

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ABOUT THEΒ DIAMOND CHALLENGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ENTREPRENEURS

  • The Diamond Challenge empowers high students around the globe by teaching them how to generate ideas to solve real problems for customers and beneficiaries and put their ideas into action.
  • Student entrepreneurs choose to compete in either the Business Concept or the Social Venture competition.
  • Participation in The Diamond Challenge is free for all high school students.
  • Students submit written concept and pitch their new venture ideas at live events around the world or via video.
  • Entrepreneurs and business leaders evaluate business concepts based on feasibility and growth potential; social ventures are also evaluated based on social impact.
  • Cash awards may be applied towards tuition at any higher education colleges or universities, or towards advancing students’ business ideas or social ventures.

The University of DelawareΒ Horn Program in Entrepreneurship ignites imaginations and empowers world changers through entrepreneurial education. Offerings emphasize experiential learning, evidence-based entrepreneurship and active engagement with entrepreneurs, business leaders and members of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participation in Horn Program courses and co-curricular activities provides students with the knowledge, skills, connections and access to resources needed to successfully manifest innovation and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Media Contact:

Julie Frieswyk

julief@udel.edu

132 E. Delaware Ave, Suite 100

Newark, DE 19711

Phone: 302-831-1527

Twitter @hornprogram @diamondchalleng