Charlie Horn

Charlie Horn headshot

CHARLIE HORN is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in numerous high growth companies. He is an innovator in the health care and consumer benefits arena, utilizing strong marketing and category changing technology. Charlie founded two mature companies, ScriptSave® and HealthTrans, both of which have been designated as Inc. 500 companies multiple times. Additionally, ScriptSave® has been recognized numerous times in Best Place to Work and Most Admired Company lists.

Multiple national business publications have recognized Charlie, and The University of Arizona McGuire Entrepreneurship Program and Tucson Regional Economic Organization both recognized him as one of the leading entrepreneurs in Arizona. He has been awarded the Thomas R. Brown Excellence in Entrepreneurship award, and The University of Arizona McGuire/Anheuser Busch Entrepreneur-in-Residence award. Charlie also serves on the National Board of Advisors to The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy.

Charlie and his family created the Horn Program In Entrepreneurship at the University of Delaware in 2012. The Horn Program has already become leader and innovator in entrepreneurship education and commercialization across the globe. It’s signature high school entrepreneurship program, the Diamond Challenge, currently enrolls students in numerous states across the U.S. and in 17 countries on 5 continents. The Horn Program facilitates and invigorates commercialization of both IP developed at the university and by the private sector by active engagement with the entrepreneurial ecosystem through its Venture Development Center. The Horn Program also has incubated the Delaware Innovation Fellows Program, a unique four year educational experience for elite multidisciplinary students.

Charlie’s Lights:

  • Secret: I believe that the happiest people cannot tell the difference between work
    and play.

    Success is a choice – “Our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose our attitude.” ― Viktor E. Frankl

    Believe in yourself – “What the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.” ― Napoleon Hill
  • Market: Value Proposition is the manifestation of your business secret. It requires a
    vision and a deep understanding of the needs of the market.

    “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” — Henry Ford.
  • Model: The business design is essential to success. The model needs to change with the market and is constant work in progress.

    “Design is the search for a magical balance between business and art; art and craft; intuition and reason; concept and detail; playfulness and formality; client and designer; designer and printer; and printer and public.” — Valerie Pettis, co-founder of Pettis Design.
  • Resources:
    Great entrepreneurs have a unique trait in common to achieve their dreams – resourcefulness.

    “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back–Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” — Van Goethe.
  • Team: Nothing worthwhile is accomplished without a passionate and committed team that has synergy that is impossible to achieve as individuals.

    “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller.

    Leadership – “The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful.” — Benjamin Zander.

    Go Blue Hens, Cats, Eagles and Flyers