The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation Announces Top Three Finalists for Reinventing Delaware 2022

    WILMINGTON, DE, February 25, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation's Reinventing Delaware program has announced its three finalists, chosen for their innovations aimed at creating jobs and making Delaware a better place to live, work and raise a family.

The foundation's seventh annual Reinventing Delaware event was held Nov. 11, 2021, at CSC Station in Wilmington. The event, presented by Discover Bank, invited 100 individuals to present bold and innovative ideas for Delaware.

The review committee met on Jan 31 and selected 3 finalists and their ideas to move forward in the competition. The finalists were selected based on their collaborative, innovative and bold ideas for Delaware. Each finalist will receive professional business services with Social Contract and IA Business Advisors to further develop their idea for a chance to win $15,000 this summer. The winner will be celebrated at this year's Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation Award event Sept. 22, 2022, at the Hotel du Pont (details to be announced).

"We are thrilled to advance these three innovators and their ideas into the next step of the Reinventing Delaware process. Their vision for improving Delaware through the expansion of their businesses is inspiring and exciting," said Thère du Pont, Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation board chairman.

The top three finalists and their ideas are:

Angela Wagner, Esq.: Delaware Creative Economy
Angela's vision is to establish a creative economy in Delaware that attracts filmmakers to the First State and replicates Georgia's success of the past 30 years. A creative economy would provide quality, stable employment for residents; attract top talent and keep current talent; and build part of the economy that reaps a larger dollar percentage than agriculture and construction.

To encourage the growth of the creative economy, Angela will build on the momentum of Akima Brown and Friends of Delaware Film, an organization that has lobbied for the passage of a tax incentive program and redesign of the Delaware Film Commission.

Theo Nix: DWS Drone School
DWS Drone School is an idea that combines technology and entrepreneurship to answer two of Delaware's most pressing social issues: lack of activities for teens and gun violence.

The DWS Drone School will help teens develop job skills and financial freedom by focusing on technology careers. They aim to educate and employ 1,000 Delaware teens, offering technology certification, internships and job experience, and expand their business nationally.

Adam Stager: TRIC Robotics
With engineering, robotics and data, Adam and TRIC Robotics want to improve the future of agriculture. Farmers, especially organic farmers, contend with pests and pathogens in their fields, including mites, mold and mildew. Pesticides and herbicides carry environmental and health risks.

TRIC Robotics uses a patented robotic design with UV-C light to control pests and reduce the use of chemicals to treat them. With Adam's background in mechanical engineering, combined with U.S. Agriculture Department research on UV-C light as an alternative to pesticides, TRIC Robotics is the solution for this problem.

"Reinventing Delaware is one of my favorite entrepreneurial events held in Delaware. For me it is an inspiration to be surrounded by so many innovators who truly want to make the world a better place. TRIC Robotics is excited to see where this takes us, and we can't wait to get started," said Adam Stager of the event and being selected as one of the finalists.

In addition to Thère du Pont and Johnnie, Reinventing Delaware Committee members are: Scott Malfitano, CSC, foundation board member; Pierre du Pont, Cerity Partners, foundation board member; Amy Walls, Discover Bank; Mac Macleod, Carvertise; Jenn Cho, Barclays; and Connie Montana, Bank of America.

The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes our country's spirit of private enterprise by fostering access to the marketplace for entrepreneurs and their ideas. The foundation is committed to carrying out the legacy of former Gov. Pete du Pont. Information: www.petedupontfreedomfoundation.org. To learn about sponsorships, contact Stephanie Johnnie, [email protected].

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