Go Global with Smith!

China Business Plan Competition

One-credit fall term BUSI788K & Two-credit winter term BUSI798K

Cities Beijing
Faculty Dr. Bob Baum, Professor Emeritus
John LaPides, Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Dates Abroad January 6-13, 2012
Pre-departure Classes Thursdays: September 20, October 25, November 15, and December 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 1511 Van Munching Hall + select Friday advising sessions.
Register Register by September 14 for the fall term BUSI788K BA01 class on Testudo at the same time as your other fall courses.
Program Fee The program fee is $2,000 plus 3 credits tuition (BUSI788K and BUSI798K) and covers the hotel, ground transportation, sightseeing and most meals. There is an additional $250 study abroad fee which goes directly to the campus office to maintain the emergency plan.

Experience China, one of the world's fastest growing economies with fellow students, Smith School faculty and Dingman Center Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and compete for $10,000 in cash prizes at the 8th Annual China Business Plan Competition. The one-credit fall course is about writing and presenting new venture business plans relevant to the Chinese market. It involves pitching your team’s business plan in the US (December) and in Beijing, China (January). Business ideas must either take place in China or leverage Chinese resources. The course is required for participation in the China Business Plan Competition which offers up to $10,000 in cash prizes.

2011 Dingman Center China
Business Plan Competition

Entrepreneurial Skills

  • Gain exposure to and interact with local early-stage firms and entrepreneurs
  • Develop a business idea that involves China and present it to expert judges for feedback

International Experiences

  • Compete against top Chinese MBA students in the 8th Annual China Business Plan Competition for a chance to win cash prizes
  • Learn about Chinese history and culture through sightseeing tours and company visits

Student Testimonials

“The Dingman Center organized an amazing trip for MBA students to learn about the depth, scope, and scale of China's economic development. The Center leveraged its incredible network/connections and arranged meetings with entrepreneurs, organized trips to explore China's history and witness the country's strengths and weaknesses.” - Pradeep Suthram, MBA ’12

“We were able to grasp what it’s like to do business in China. The competition was a great opportunity to create a business idea and share it with experienced entrepreneurs and investors for feedback. We got to practice our pitches in a competition setting and even win some money! It was great seeing the ideas coming from the Chinese students and being able to establish good contacts and friendships with students from Beida and UIBE in Beijing.” - Julie Mullins, MBA ’12 

Note:

Please do not purchase airfare until class is confirmed, August 31, 2012. Students are advised by UMD Education Abroad to purchase refundable airline tickets, and we recommend STA Travel.

The UMD drop schedule and refund schedule apply for the one-credit BUSI788 course. There is an additional $500 penalty if you drop the course after the course is confirmed, August 31, 2012.

A visa is required for US citizens, and costs around US$130. Students of other nationalities should check the consular office for visa information and requirements. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date, and you should have 2 blank visa pages available. We will send the letter of invitation you need after the course is confirmed. 

The time abroad IS the class and any instances of: being late and therefore delaying the group, noise in hotel hallways, damage to hotel rooms, hung-over behavior, sleeping during meetings or public displays of affection will be frowned upon as it would for any business traveler on meetings or conferences abroad. You are expected to incorporate professionalism while abroad, and professionalism is part of your total grade. It is our intent to develop world citizens and savvy business travelers, and the courses abroad should be undertaken as serious academic endeavors.