Innovation Fridays: Dingman Center Angels Among Nation’s ‘Most Active’ in Q2

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship in the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business stands out as a hotbed for angel investing, according to a new report released by the Angel Resource Institute, Silicon Valley Bank and CB Insights.

The collaborative’s Q2 2013 Halo Report cites the Dingman Center Angels as among the nation’s ten most active angel investing networks for Q2.

"We’re recognized, here, among some of the nation’s largest angel groups,” said Dingman Center Managing Director Elana Fine. “Although Q2 was a particularly active quarter, we have been an extremely active group both in number of deals, members and deal size for the past three years.”

The action crosses various categories. "In the last quarter, we invested in startups in sectors such as security, mobile, telecom and education technology," said Joel Marquis, who, as Dingman’s assistant director of venture programs, manages the 30-plus member angel investing network. “Our members are entrepreneurs, CXO's, venture capitalists and business leaders who have established world-class companies.”

Dingman’s is the lone, university-supported network in the listing. It’s also among just a few angel investing networks nationwide that’s housed in an entrepreneurship center or business school. “The setting makes us a unique hub for entrepreneurs and investors from campus and the region.  Over and above the investments, these relationships create project and and internship opportunities for our MBA students,” said Fine.

“The new Halo Report underscores how integrated  Dingman is in the mid-Atlantic entrepreneurship community," she added. “We’re effective in identifying and coaching innovative, technology-driven startup companies to strategically appeal to investors."

Contact: Elana Fine, 301-405-2170 or efine@rhsmith.umd.edu