Capital One and DSU Host Pitch Competition for HBCU Students
DOVER, Del. and MCLEAN, Virg. – Capital One Financial (COF) and Delaware State University (DSU) hosted the Innovation Venture, a national conference and student-developed product pitch competition that bridges agriculture, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship to advance the future of homegrown agribusiness in the U.S. The Innovation Venture took place on the campus of DSU at the Memorial Hall Gymnasium.
“Delaware State University is proud to continue our partnership with Capital One and provide a platform to elevate the next generation of tech-driven leaders in agribusiness,” said Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University. “Entrepreneurship is a key foundation for building generational wealth. In addition to startup seed funding, this partnership means University students will receive mentorship and guidance from private sector leaders on business structures and intellectual property, equipping them with knowledge and experience to successfully enter the job market.
The Innovation Venture programming featured fireside chats and panel discussions on the state of agribusiness, the importance of practical solutions and advice on scaling a business from experts in the field including Daymond John, Investor and Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, James Lindsay, CEO of Rap Snacks, and Don Clifton, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture.
“Equipping the next generation with the tools they need to succeed is one of my top priorities,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) said. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we invest in the future of the agriculture and technology sectors, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and prepare for the future of work. I am grateful to both Capital One and Delaware State University for hosting this critical summit, and I look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Innovation Venture gathered not only students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), but also middle- and high school- students from New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. Heman Bekele, scientist and TIME’s 2024 Kid of the Year, joined the event to engage and inspire students who are eager to enter the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields through their AgTech product developments.
“Agriculture is our largest industry in the First State, fueling both our economy and our ability to nourish families. The continued success of this vital industry depends on partnerships that foster initiatives like Innovation Venture, which empowers the next generation of agribusiness leaders. By nurturing cross-sector collaboration, we unlock new opportunities for Delawareans, paving the way for a thriving and sustainable future for all,” stated Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay.
“Innovation is really the cornerstone of agriculture in today’s world. Some innovations are accepted quickly, however, others take more time before they are widely adopted,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton. “The individuals who accept the challenge and pursue these innovations are the leaders of the coming generation in agriculture.”
“Agribusiness forms the very foundation of how we grow and produce food, yet innovations in the industry remain underfunded,” Dr. Cherese Winstead, Dean of Delaware State University’s College of Agriculture Science & Technology said. “As Americans confront rising food prices and supply challenges, HBCUs are uniquely positioned to lead the charge to strengthen supply chains and drive economic growth.”
Innovation Venture attendees had the opportunity to hear from federal, state and local elected officials, including Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, former U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton, Delaware Chief Information Officer Gregory Lane. Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Delaware Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, Delaware State Reps. Kendra Johnson, Krista Griffith, and Franklin Cooke, Jr. also attended Innovation Venture.
“I’ve always believed that we shouldn’t have to choose between a strong economy and a clean environment, said former Sen. Tom Carper. We can have both. The Innovation Venture Summit is a powerful example of that vision in action, showcasing how education, entrepreneurship, and technology can transform our food systems while strengthening our communities. By empowering students to develop sustainable solutions in agriculture and environmental innovation, Delaware State University and Capital One are helping to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards who will lead us toward a cleaner, greener and brighter future.”
“Innovation and technology are essential to solving modern agribusiness challenges,” said Delaware’s Chief Information Officer Gregory Lane. “By fostering collaboration between students, industry leaders, and policymakers, Innovation Venture is helping to cultivate the next generation of problem solvers who will drive sustainable solutions in agritech and economic growth in agriculture.”
“As mayor of the City of Dover, I welcome the collaboration of Delaware State University and Capital One Financial showcasing the talents of our community and state,” said Mayor Christiansen. “The University continues to be on the cutting edge of innovation and entrepreneurship, offering many diverse opportunities to faculty, students, and our visitors.”
Innovation Venture, which built on Capital One’s years-long partnership with Delaware State University, is a co-designed initiative to help the university lead the charge in the agriculture and innovation space. In 2021, Capital One donated a $4.7 million, 35,000 square foot facility in Wilmington that now headquarters DSU’s University’s School of Graduate, Adult and Extended Studies, bringing the university to New Castle County, the state’s most populous geography.
“Innovation Venture marks an exciting new chapter of our partnership with Delaware State University by bringing students’ ideas to life and providing them with opportunities to address real world issues facing the agriculture industry,” Joe Westcott, Delaware Market President at Capital One, said. “Capital One and Delaware State University share a mission to empower this next generation of leaders to drive innovation through technology.”
Capital One previously partnered with DSU on an executive mentorship program, pairing executives with university sophomores, and has also provided over $250,000 in grants for the University’s Career Services Experiential Learning Program, among other programs. Capital One has continued to deepen its recruiting partnership with the University, focusing on connecting students to career pathways in business analysis, technology, and product development.
About Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company which, along with its subsidiaries, had $362.7 billion in deposits and $490.1 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2024. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches and Cafés located primarily in New York, Louisiana, Texas, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COF” and is included in the S&P 100 index.
About Delaware State University
Delaware State University is the nation’s #3 public Historically Black College/University (U.S. News & World Report) and an R2 doctoral-granting high research activity institution with a 130-year history of providing a high-quality, low-cost education for ALL. The University is the nation’s #1 provider of professional pilots of color and Delaware’s #1 provider of nurses, teachers, social workers, and accountants of color. DSU is also a national leader in STEM education, with cutting-edge programs in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and biotechnology. It is home to one of the nation’s only HBCU-based optical science centers and conducts groundbreaking research in neuroscience, renewable energy, and agriculture. For more information, visit www.desu.edu.
To register and read more information about the Innovation Venture, please visit https://innovationventure.org/
Media Contacts:
Lauren Williams
Capital One, External Affairs
lauren.williams3@capitalone.com
(202) 577-7690
Carlos Holmes
Delaware State
Director of News Services, University Historian
cholmes@desu.edu
(302) 399-5972
