Mackenzie Frank, a University of Delaware junior, recently took home the top prize at the 2025 Hen Hatch startup competition with a color-changing straw designed to detect whether a drink has been spiked.
SafeSip is a chemically engineered straw that can detect GHB, ketamine and Rohypnol, tasteless and fast-acting chemicals known as “date rape drugs.” Frank’s research identified a large market for straws to make drinks out with friends safer.
Frank said the idea for SafeSip came after reading about spiking drinks. “Ninety percent of drink spiking incidents go unreported, and 75% happens to women”, she said. “People can end up in comas, people can be robbed, physically or sexually assaulted,” and it can happen to anyone.
Unlike existing products such as scrunchie drink covers, color-changing nail polish, or testing strips that have significant user experience problems, SafeSip is designed to be discreet, reliable, and safe to use in social settings. “My goal is for it to be as accessible and reliable as possible,” Frank added.
The Hen Hatch competition was hosted by UD’s Horn Entrepreneurship program during the Blue Hen Innovation Fest last winter. The pitch competition featured four teams tackling problems ranging from drink safety to animal welfare.
Frank’s winnings included $11,500 in cash, 10 hours of consulting from certified accountants, eight hours of workforce consulting from Placers, five hours of user experience consulting from Kelsey Kosinski at ChristianaCare, provisional patent assistance from SenseIP, and the Maskowitz Award.
Frank plans to use her prizes to develop a prototype, establish a corporation, and file for a patent. At 19, Frank hasn’t yet been a consumer in a bar setting, so “to be successful I‘d love to use those user experience hours just to make sure the product works as intended to and it reaches the right people” she said.
Judges praised Frank’s pitch, citing the strong business opportunity and her compelling storytelling. “She presented the strongest market need and had an impressive level of depth.” explained Brian Feuer, one of five judges and keynote speaker at Innovation Fest. The decision was unanimous, and Mackenzie “came on stage, and she had a presence, from the moment she went up the stairs to the stage she commanded attention”.
Reflecting on her experience, Frank encourages other students or individuals to take the leap. “Even if it doesn’t go as far as you hoped, be proud of the work and effort you put in,” she says. “Just go for it. I didn’t have everything mapped out, I took the risk.” Frank added that competitions like Hen Hatch are a great opportunity to practice public speaking, networking, and pitching.
The second-place winner, Relief Chronic Care, created by Emilie Delaye, was awarded $6,125 in cash, and consulting hours.
Brandon Schweitzer, Kyle Oehlmann, and Emanuel Sobin pitched Happy Dog Surf Shop, earning $3,625 in cash, the $1,000 audience choice award, a $500 giftcard from ShopRite, and consulting hours.
PipeFixBot, cofounded by Rushabh Dhoke, Sneh Shukla, and Riya Baranwal, received $2,750 in cash and a $1,000 ShopRite gift card. All four finalists also won up to $2,500 for travel experiences for future competitions.