Robert H. Smith School of Business 2007 China Business Plan Competition

The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, a top-ranked U.S. business school with Executive MBA and custom executive education programs in China, has launched its 2007 China Business Plan Competition. Now in its third year, the Smith School's China Business Plan Competition supports the growth of world-class business ideas and business leaders in China. With its focus on globalization, entrepreneurship and technology, the Smith School is ideally positioned to share its leadership in these areas as part of its commitment to the China market.

The Smith School's China Business Plan Competition gives teams of entrepreneurs from around the world the chance to compete for three grand prizes totaling $50,000. The top three teams will also be awarded the opportunity to participate in a custom workshop with the Smith School's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, which organizes the competition. Training will focus on entrepreneurship and will include individual coaching, specialized courses and presentations.

The Smith School's 2007 China Business Plan Competition is supported by China Central Television (CCTV), China's largest national television network. CCTV produces and airs the hit television program Win in China , a reality-based Chinese TV show in which would-be entrepreneurs compete to become CEOs of new businesses. Other sponsors include the State of Marylands Department of Business and Economic Development, ING Investment Management Asia/Pacific, Zhongguancun Science Park, China Growth Capital, Zero2IPO and BusinessWeek China.

Who can enter the Smith School's 2007 China Business Plan Competition?
Teams of up to four individuals are invited to submit business ideas focused on the integration of business and technology. Key competition dates are as follows:

• September 29, 2006 - launch of the competition. Entries consisting of a two-page business summary will be accepted online until April 30, 2007.
• Week of June 18, 2007 - semi-finalist announcement. Semi-finalists will be asked to develop a 15-25 page business plan, which will be accepted until August 1, 2007.
• August 28, 2007 - final round notification to finalists
• September 10, 2007 - final round competition. Five selected finalists will make 10-minute presentations of their business plans as well as participate in a feedback session with the judges. The judges for the final round will include representatives of leading venture capital firms.

The Smith School in China
The Smith School is partnered with the University of International Business and Economics to deliver its top-ranked programs in China. The school is helping China meet a critical need for MBA graduates and world-class business leadership by delivering its leading Executive MBA programs in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as through its successful custom Executive programs.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, PhD, and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in four continents including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.