As the 2025 Reinventing Delaware process progresses, we’re excited to spotlight the standout ideas advancing to the final round of competition.
This year’s finalists have invested substantial time and effort into refining their concepts, thoroughly researching and analyzing each aspect to develop robust and viable models. Their dedication demonstrates a strong commitment to crafting innovative solutions that fuel economic growth and promote long-term development and sustainability for Delaware. Each finalist is focused on implementing strategies that will leave a lasting impact and help shape a prosperous future for the state.
This week’s featured finalist is Wilminvest, led by Joel Amin and Bryce Fender. In the following interview, they shared more about their concept:
How would you describe your idea in a 30-second pitch?
Our company’s mission is to support Delawareans in two simple yet impactful ways: by providing quality homes to families and by providing quality jobs to individuals.
Wilminvest CDC accomplishes this through its subsidiary real estate division and its newly launched logistics division. These are two independent companies operating towards the common goal of making Delaware a better place to live, work, and play, as former Governor Pete du Pont would say.
Our real estate company, founded in 2017, currently provides housing to over 30 families in Delaware. We have grown from 3 properties to over thirty properties in a little over 3 years’ time. Not only do we provide long-term rental housing in partnership almost exclusively with the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Wilmington Housing Authority, but we are also piloting an innovative homeownership program in partnership with Discover Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. This initiative will leverage millions of dollars to create first-time home buyers and activate one of Wilmington’s underutilized community assets— Stepping-Stones Federal Credit Union—which will provide innovative mortgages to these families.
We did this because we listened. Listened to the needs of the community. Listened to the nonprofit leaders. Listened to the government officials, and we learned that home ownership needed to be prioritized in Delaware, specifically in our beloved City of Wilmington. But it didn’t stop there! We continued to listen, as we grew, and the next request was for more jobs. So we began working down a path of being able to provide more jobs.
That’s when Wilminvest Logistics was born. Our logistics division, launched in late 2024, employs 54 individuals at this time. We have secured a substantial contract with one of the largest companies in the world to operate a fleet of 20 box trucks and sprinter vans out of a 20,000+ square foot warehouse in New Castle to deliver freight/packages. If we continue to perform as we have been, chasing excellence before money, Wilminvest Logistics has the opportunity to scale from 1 warehouse to 5 warehouses. This would allow us to employ up to 250 people across Delaware and beyond.
Collectively, these two companies accomplish impactful work, providing housing and jobs, while at the same time implementing scalable and sustainable business models. We are a young, hungry group of entrepreneurs born and raised in Delaware. We attended the University of Delaware and will remain in Delaware for the rest of our lives. Our team will remain committed, for years to come, to doing good work, and we humbly ask that you invest in your future leaders today.
What inspired you to pursue this idea, and how did you come up with it?
Both Bryce and I are fortunate to have been raised by fathers who are or were entrepreneurs. We were given a sense of direction from a young age because of our family upbringing. Bryce and I connected at an early age over a desire to do good things with good people. Once we found the Horn Program at UD, which gave us the support network and resources we needed to prove the concept, the rest was history! We are confident this is our purpose and have been fulfilling that call since 2017.
In what ways will your idea benefit Delaware?
Our idea will benefit Delaware because it provides quality affordable housing and jobs that pay livable wages.
What difference will your idea make in the community or the world?
Our idea will show people the power of operating a business in a for-profit manner with good intentions. We will show people that you can do well in business and do well by people at the same time.
How are you planning to achieve your idea’s purpose?
We are planning to focus on strategic growth so that we can scale our business.
Will you or someone other than yourself champion this idea should it continue to move forward, and why? If applicable, who else is on your team?
We will champion our idea. The team currently consists of Joel Amin and Bryce Fender.
What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
The advice I would give to an aspiring entrepreneur is to never give up. Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. If you persist long enough, you will be successful. Five years into the business is when it really, truly starts!
Next Steps: Finalist Announcement
After collaborating with our Idea Development team at Social Contract, our review committee—including PDFF staff, board members Thère du Pont and Jacqueline Flowers, Helena Rodriguez from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, and Scott Malfitano from the Delaware Workforce Development Board—will select an award recipient.
The top idea will be announced at a special press event on June 2, and the finalist chosen will receive a $15,000 grant to implement their concept, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and making Delaware an even better place to live and work.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities are available to support the development of each finalist, as well as the upcoming dinner this November. Stay tuned for the date!
Join Our Mission in 2025
We are currently seeking additional supporters and sponsors for the next phase of the program. By underwriting development services or making a donation, you can play a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving economic growth in Delaware.
For more details on getting involved with the Reinventing Delaware initiative as a sponsor, contact Lynn Roberts at [email protected]. You can also visit our donation page to support the idea development program. Your contribution helps invest strategic, practical resources to position businesses for success, ultimately creating jobs and improving our community.