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About Us
Leveraging a Wealth of Entrepreneurial Resources
There's a reason the Dingman Center has been ranked among the top
entrepreneurial centers by magazines such as US News and World Report,
Business Week and The Financial Times.
Top-Tier Intellectual Capital
The Dingman Center's entrepreneurship faculty has garnered national
recognition for their research in entrepreneurship, and has received more
than a million dollars in grant money to support faculty research in
entrepreneurship. The Center boasts an impressive roster of
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence,
Dingman
Scholars, and
Senior
Smith Fellows, who reflect a diversity of businesses and areas of
expertise. Our founder,
Rudy Lamone, continues to support the Center and provide guidance from
his years of experience in the field. In addition, the Center has a
Board of
Advisors, comprised of leading area business leaders, and three
full-time staff who manage the day-to-day operations of the Center.
Theoretical and Applied Opportunities for Student
Entrepreneurs
The Dingman Center was the first on campus to bring successful
entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to teach and work with student
entrepreneurs, creating a rich and dynamic entrepreneurial climate at the
Center. The Center nurtures and enables future entrepreneurs through these
unique opportunities:
The Dingman Process—A systematic process that helps students and
regional entrepreneurs to identify trends, systematically analyze
opportunities, and develop successful businesses.
Pitch
Dingman—An opportunity for students to pitch their ideas to
experienced entrepreneurs. Held every Friday from 11-12 pm at the
Dingman Center.
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Senior Smith Fellows—These highly
experienced and credentialed entrepreneurs volunteer their time and
expertise to undergraduates, MBA students, Dingman Scholars and
Portfolio Companies. They are available on select Fridays to assist
students with their entrepreneurial ventures. Please call 301-405-9545
to set up an appointment. Read about our current EIRs: John LaPides,
Adam Lehman, Neil Selvin, and S. Tien Wong and Senior Smith Fellows Dan
Goodman and Mark Walsh .
Academic Program—With courses at both the undergraduate and
graduate level, the Dingman Center offers a wide variety of
entrepreneurial subjects, from New Venture Creation to International
Entrepreneurship, as well as ancillary learning and mentoring
opportunities through faculty research projects, hosted events, business
plan competitions, and professional organizations.
Seed Stage Funding—The Center provides seed funding to
student-run start-up companies through the Smith E-Fund.
Other Ways to Get Involved:
- Volunteer at the Dingman Center
to gain valuable experience working for new and growing businesses.
- Join the
MBA E-Club or
Maryland
Undergraduate Society of Entrepreneurs.
- Participate in a Dingman
Process Workshop.
- Discover our new
Social Venturing Program
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Find out about our employment
opportunities by becoming a Dingman Center Scholar, or a liaison
with our CAN, Portfolio, or Mentor programs. Students can also work
on real time business challenges with start-up companies. Call
301-405-9517 or email
Melissa Carrier to learn more. MBAs – check out
www.MBAFinder.net
for internship and short-term project postings.
Mentoring and Financial Support Programs for Regional
Entrepreneurs
The Dingman Center was the first entrepreneurial center to provide
workshops, seminars, and training programs for the regional entrepreneurial
community. Our ties to the local entrepreneurial community run deep, and we
are delighted to offer a variety of mentoring and financial support
services.
Senior Smith Fellows—Senior Fellows advise graduate business
students and regional entrepreneurs on the development of their
businesses. Read more about current Senior Smith Research Fellows
Mark Walsh,
Dan Goodman,
Wei-Wu He and
Ted Muendel.
Capital
Access Network—Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be coaches
on their investor pitch and gain financing through presentations to a
collection of the region's active
angel investors and early stage venture capital firms.
New
Markets Growth Fund— Launched by the Dingman Center, this $20M
venture capital fund invests in early and expansion stage companies,
primarily located in economically distressed sections of the
Mid-Atlantic.
Invaluable Affiliations and Partnerships
The Center uses its strategic position within the Robert H. Smith School
of business to leverage substantial entrepreneurial resources from the
entire University and external partners to assist both student and regional
enterprises. These resources include the following:
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