On May 5, 2016, the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is set to host the second annual “Rudy Awards.” Named for Dingman’s founder and former Smith School Dean Rudolph “Rudy” Lamone, this annual banquet was created to honor the vibrant network of student and alumni entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and many others who contribute to the center’s continued success. 

Last year, the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship launched the third and final phase of its Fearless Founders startup accelerator program, Terp Startup. Happening every summer, this incubator phase is designed to give students a means to focus exclusively on growing their startup. During the course of the program, the center provides students with a $3,500 stipend and access to mentors who will help them grow their business.

A coffee startup that emerged through the University of Maryland (UMD) has captured the 2016 Cupid’s Cup Competition. Javazen, which blends coffee with teas and superfoods for “a healthier caffeine boost,” topped five other entries in the 11th annual competition, established by Under Armour Founder and CEO Kevin Plank -- in collaboration with his alma mater and founding "university partner," UMD.

On Thursday, April 7, Cupid’s Cup Entrepreneurship Competition will return to The Clarice for its eleventh year of show-stopping startup exhibition. Six companies have been announced as finalists, selected from hundreds of applications representing nearly 100 universities and colleges. On Feb. 19, Under Armour Founder and CEO Kevin Plank ’96, who chairs the competition, hosted the semi-final round at Under Armour’s global headquarters in Baltimore, Md.

A “superfood coffee blend” developed and sold by University of Maryland graduates is one of six finalists vying for more than $100,000 in total prizes in the 2016 Cupid's Cup Entrepreneurship Competition. Javazen, the name of the startup and product, has been selected from hundreds of applications representing nearly 100 universities and colleges.

WeCook, a new tech company that brings personal chefs into people’s homes to stock their refrigerators with meals for a low subscription fee, was the big winner in the Feb. 16 Pitch Dingman Competition. The first-place win came with a $15,000 prize that the startup plans to use for marketing.

Pitch Dingman Competition Finals Tuesday, February 16, 2016 6 p.m.—7:30 p.m. Stamp Student Union, Colony BallroomRegister to attend

UPDATE: Evan Lutz appeared on Shark Tank on Jan. 8, 2016, and received a $100,000 investment from Robert Herjavec for a 10 percent stake in Hungry Harvest.

The Do Good Challenge is excited to announce the selection of the 2015-2016 Accelerator and Ladies First awardees. 

François de Zamaróczy, Smith MBA candidate 2017, writes about the Pitch Dingman semifinals event last week. Pitch Dingman is the University of Maryland’s only business competition exclusively for Terps.