MBA alum and former Dingman Scholar Matt Fleischer put passion into promise to create a successful beer company Zoey Rawlins, founder of Shop DC and former Dingman Scholar, launched her business by following trends in the marketplace Run by students, The Smith Store offers promotional branded apparel, accessories and gifts The Dingman Center supports entrepreneurs throughout the Washington D.C. Metro Area and beyond The Dingman Center is located at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland

Current Events

Upcoming Events for Spring 2008

CAN Breakfast (invitation only)
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 Melissa Carrier.

Wednesday, June 11

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

2505 VMH

CAN Review Day
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!

Wednesday, May 20

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

3570 VMH

Cupid's Cup Business Competition and BB&T Invitational
Cupid's Cup is an annual business competition showcasing young entrepreneurs from the University of Maryland. This competition is made possible by one of UMD's most successful entrepreneurs, Kevin Plank, CEO of Under Armour, whose generous donation of $22,500 is awarded each year to the 1st and 2nd place winning companies. Winners of the 1st Annual Cupid's Cup were North Star Games founded by two former Smith MBA students and past Dingman Scholars.

The BB&T Business Invitational is held in advance of the Cupid’s Cup Business Competition. The BB&T “marketplace” showcases all of the businesses being incubated by the Dingman Center. The BB&T Business Invitational and the Cupid’s Cup Business Competition are open to University of Maryland students and staff, as well as members of the regional business community.

Dingman Day Lunch
These catered luncheons are open to all University of Maryland students. Successful entrepreneurs will talk about their experiences and answer questions from the audience.

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.

Mentor Day
The Mentor Program is an innovative consulting service for entrepreneurs and small-medium businesses that assists companies in identifying solutions to business problems with the support of experienced, senior management professionals.

Pitch Dingman
Students are invited to pitch their ideas to the Dingman Center every Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 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
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 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.

Social Venturing
Advancing the social welfare of our community is a critical component of being a successful business leader and students seek this experience during their educational years. The Social Venturing Program's focus is on the nexus between businesses and non-profit organizations. Through this program, the Dingman Center is offering an array of programs that benefit the public and private sectors, students and the broader community.

Tech Visionary Panel (invitation only)
See what's on the horizon in the world of technologies. These panel discussions will look at some of the cutting edge trends and innovations to come to market. Learn how these technologies are going to affect healthcare, entertainment, financial services, defense, media, and the entire range of human interaction.