How to Enter

Contestant Eligibility
Eligible contestants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Maryland. Alumni of the University of Maryland, graduating with an undergraduate or graduate degree between May 2004 and December 2007 are also eligible for the competition..

Company Eligibility

  • All entrants must have an operating company that has generated at least $5,000 in revenue prior to the date of entry OR have won funding through a University of Maryland-sponsored business competition.
  • Companies that have generated more than $500,000 in revenue are not eligible to compete in Cupid's Cup.
  • Companies must also have acquired less than $250,000 in previous financing for eligibility.
  • Students who have won funding through the monthly Pitch Dingman Competition between September 2005 and December 2007 and who are actively pursuing the business idea that won the Pitch Dingman competition are eligible.
  • The judges reserve the right to disqualify entries.

Entry Criteria
The judges will use the executive summary to narrow the finalists. The executive summary should begin with an "elevator pitch" – one paragraph about the company, the value to the target market, and the competitive situation. It should then include very short summaries of the marketing, introduction, and implementation plan, as well as the financial plan.

Executive summaries typically answer the following questions:

  • What is your new product, service, process, or business model?
  • What is the value proposition?
  • If technology is involved, what is the expected life of the intellectual property?
  • Who will you sell to, or which set of beneficiaries will you target?
  • Who are your competitors, and how do you compare?
  • How much money is required and how will the funds be utilized?

The executive summary for this competition should be 2 pages in length. No attachments of any kind beyond this number of pages (plus contact sheet) are allowed. Entries will be accepted in electronic format or must be dropped off at the Dingman Center. You may use Microsoft Word for Windows or PDF for your file format. Please provide a contact sheet including the following information:

  • Business or company name/title:
  • Names and affiliations of all business partners:
  • Date of incorporation:
  • Revenues generated to date:
  • Financial funding to date:
  • Proof of eligibility:
    • State degree received and year for alumni
    • State degree pursued and expected graduation date for students
  • Business mailing address:
  • Primary contact name:
  • Primary contact phone number:
  • Primary contact E-mail address:
  • Secondary contact name:
  • Secondary contact phone number:
  • Secondary contact E-mail address:
  • State degree pursued and expected graduation for all student entrants:
  • Work contact information for any alumni entrants:

Entries are due by  February 29, 2008. Entries received after this date will not be considered. E-mail Jen Howell or drop off the completed entry to 3570 Van Munching Hall. In the subject line of the message include the title Cupid's Cup Entry. Upon receipt of your E-mail message you will receive a confirmation E-mail.