TiE-DC and University of Maryland's Smith School
of Business Launch TiE-Smith Fellows Program
New program for Washington DC-area entrepreneurs links next-generation CEOs with top business leaders, world-class business faculty and the investment community

College Park June 1, 2005 The University of Marylands Robert H. Smith School of Business and TiE-DC, one of Washington's largest business networking organizations, today announced the launch of the TiE-Smith Fellows Program, a 14-week program that will provide area entrepreneurs with mentorship and support. The announcement was made at MAVAs Capital Connection, an annual mid-Atlantic venture association and the regions top venue for bringing entrepreneurs and venture investors together to discover emerging leaders and start-up companies.

We are excited to launch a practical program that helps new and established entrepreneurs leverage the untapped investment community and the potential of local area business executives who are eager to mentor next generation leaders, said Aneesh Chopra TiE-DC co-president.

We look forward to collaborating with a leading institution like the Smith School to sow the seeds of growth for the local economy, said Hemant Kanakia, TiE-DC co-president.

The program will give 12 selected TiE-Smith Fellows access to TiE-DC charter members and special mentorship programs conducted by both top faculty members from the Smith School and local successful area entrepreneurs. Each fellow will benefit from inclusion to TiE-DC invitation-only networking events as well as from monthly guest speakers at the Smith Schools Dingman Center, a nationally-recognized, leading entrepreneurial center.

The program is designed to act as a catalyst for entrepreneurship by linking together key regional resources Smith School and Dingman Center thought leadership and expertise, VC community funding, and TiE mentorship, said Anil Gupta, research director for the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and a co-director of the TiE-Smith Fellows Program. By getting these working parts to work together we have created a powerful channel of growth for local talent, ideas and business.

The TiE-Smith Fellows Program is accepting nominations for the 2005-2006 program, which will begin in the fall. Questions about the program and nominations should be directed to tie-smith@tie-dc.org or 703-934-5556.

The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, is one of the first and leading entrepreneurial centers in the nation. The Dingman Center has facilitated, supported and guided entrepreneurs in the mid-Atlantic region since 1986. More information about the Dingman Center can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman.

About TiE-DC
TiE (TiE-DC), is one of Washington's largest business networking organizations, dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the mid-Atlantic region. TiE stands for The Innovative Ecosystem and is a not-for-profit global network of entrepreneurs and professionals. TiE is an open and inclusive organization that has rapidly grown to more than 40 chapters in nine countries, with over 10,000 members. TiE endeavors to cultivate and nurture the ecosystems of entrepreneurship and free-market economies everywhere, as it sees this as the single most powerful instrument of prosperity.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the digital economy. The Smith School one of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, PhD, and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in three continents including North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

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For more information: Angela Toda Robert H. Smith School of Business University of Maryland ( 301.405.8062 atoda@rhsmith.umd.edu