Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

Upcoming Events for Fall 2009

The CAN Breakfasts are by invitation only to angel investors who are qualified investors in the CAN network. Investors will have an opportunity to hear a 10 minute presentation from approximately four start-up entrepreneurs who are seeking funding for their business. For more information on the CAN Program and to participate, contact Craig Dye.

September 9, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
October 14, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
November 11, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
December 9, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

CAN Review Day

MBA Students and faculty are invited to hear start-up companies present to our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Dingman staff as they prepare for Capital Access Network angel investor presentations. Listen to feedback by our experts, give some advice of your own, and learn about some of the new businesses being started today. It's a great experience for everyone!

October 23rd, 2009, 9 a.m. - Noon
November 13th, 2009, 9 a.m. - Noon
December 11th, 2009, 9 a.m. - Noon
January 15th, 2010, 9 a.m. - Noon
February 12th, 2010, 9 a.m. - Noon
March 12th, 2010, 9 a.m. - Noon
April 16th, 2010, 9 a.m. - Noon
May 14th, 2010, 9 a.m. - Noon

Dingman Process Workshop

This informative 75-90 minute workshop explains the Dingman Process, which consists of Ideation, Assessment, Implementation and Iteration. The most successful entrepreneurs are not necessarily those with the most innovative ideas, but those who can find gaps in the market and develop products to meet consumers' needs. The Dingman Process helps entrepreneurs systematically analyze and develop businesses based on this concept. This workshop is presented once each academic year, and this year it will be held at College Park as well as at each of our satellite campuses for our part-time MBA students.

Pitch Dingman Informal Sessions

Students are invited to pitch their ideas to the Dingman Center every Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each student will have 5-10 minutes to give an overview of their business idea and Dingman Center staff/EIRs will provide immediate feedback. Business ideas found viable will find further support in the Dingman Center. Up to $500 will be awarded weekly.

First three Fridays of every month
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
3570 VMH

Pitch Dingman Competition

Similar to the Pitch Dingman reviews. Business ideas found viable will find further support in the Dingman Center. Up to $2,500 will be awarded monthly.

October 23, 3 - 4 p.m. (at Stamp Student Union)
October 30, 11 a.m. - Noon (Van Munching Hall)
November 20, 11 a.m. - Noon

Join the Dingman Center in China, January 9-17, 2010

The Dingman Center has partnered with Beida University and the Guanghua School of Management to provide a unique classroom experience for full-time 2nd-year students.

BUSI 758 will be offered as a joint class between students at Beida and Students at Smith. Accepted students will be enrolled in BUSI 758 in the B term in the fall of 2009 from October 22d through December 10th. The entire class will then travel to China from January 9th - 17th, 2010 to participate alongside their Chinese classmates in the Dingman Center Annual China Business Plan Competition.

The 2 credit class will be taught by Dingman Center Entrepreneurs in Residence, Director Asher Epstein, and Professor Bob Baum.

Please contact Asher Epstein for more information.

Please note: There will be some additional fees for the trip costs of approximately $3,500 per student inclusive of airfare. No additional fees for the course credit are required.

Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship Research Lunch

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Noon to 1:10 p.m.
Executive Dining Room 2517 of Van Munching Hall

Dingman Center Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Robert H. Smith School of Business Faculty and Doctoral Students are invited to attend the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship Research Luncheon. The Lunch will be provided by the Department of Management and Organization.

The overall purpose of the luncheon program is to improve the quantity and quality of Smith entrepreneurship research. Each luncheon enables dialogue between researchers and practitioners to improve the development of research questions and practical grounding. The program offers entrepreneurship research support for all Smith departments in term of cash research awards, mentoring, and connections with data sources.

Bob Baum and Asher Epstein will summarize the 2009 2010 luncheon plan and describe the spring research award program. David Waguespack and Ben Hallen will each describe one of their current research studies.

Please RSVP by October 9! Please direct any questions to: mrh@rhsmith.umd.edu.

Terp Marketplace

November 19, Noon - 4 p.m.

It's never too early to start planning your holiday shopping! Please support our student entrepreneurs by shopping at this unique venue. We will have a wide assortment of products offered by our own UMD student entrepreneurs: hand-made Kenyan aprons, award-winning handbags, Smith Store merchandise, unique jewelry, stationary, and many other thoughtful gift ideas.

Are you a UMD student entrepreneur and would like to sell your goods at the Terp Marketplace? Please e-mail Alla Corey. Please include product description and price.