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, is sponsoring its second annual China Business Plan Competition. The competition, themed "Building Leaders for the Digital Economy" is organized by the Smith School's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and will bring together entrepreneurs and business executives from around the world to compete for a total of $50,000 in prize money, including a $25,000 grand prize, $15,000 second prize and $10,000 third prize.

Beijing, China March 23, 2006 The University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business is seeking leaders for the digital economy. The Smith School today announced the launch of the second annual China Business Plan Competition a contest that offers aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to present a business idea focused on information, communication or technology to compete for a $25,000 grand prize, $15,000 second prize or $10,000 third prize.

Asher Epstein, managing director of the Smith Schools Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, recently led a delegation of students and entrepreneurs on week-long trip to Beijing, China from September 19 - 23, 2005. The purpose of the trip was to give delegation members first-hand insight into Chinas business climate, learn from and meet with local Chinese entrepreneurs, and to participate in the final round of the Smith School China Business Plan competition.

Beijing, China - September 14, 2005 Today the University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business, a leading provider of Executive MBA (EMBA) programs in China, named 10 finalists in the Robert H. Smith School of Business China Business Plan Competition. The finalists will have the rare opportunity to present their business ideas before a panel of international venture capitalist (VC) judges and compete for a total of US$45,000.

Twenty aspiring Chinese entrepreneurs are one step closer to building the businesses of their dreams. The Robert H. Smith School of Business announced the semi-finalists of the Robert H. Smith School of Business China Business Plan Competition at the Zero2IPO semi-annual Venture Capital Conference in Beijing on July 14, 2005. The entrants were judged on criteria that included their business plan feasibility, clarity, conciseness, value proposition and competitive positioning.