Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship Hosts Start-Up Bootcamp

The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business has found a unique way to inject entrepreneurial spirit into campus activities with a Dingman Center Bootcamp. In January 2009, under the Dingman Center's initiative, 28 University of Maryland students from diverse majors gathered at the Smith School to bring their business ideas to life in less than three weeks. The main goal of the bootcamp is to get students comfortable with start-up culture within the center's experiential learning environment.

So what was the Dingman Center Bootcamp all about? In a nutshell, each student committed 100+ hours for three weeks during winter break. Forming, brainstorming and performing was the plan of action. The center provided all the resources required to get a project off the ground including expert advice from the center's experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence, legal counseling, and networking events with venture capital and angel investors. Outcomes included a more refined business plan and ideas - not to mention free lunches and networking events!

The strongest support system for each venture, however, was built among the students themselves.

"Working day in and day out of the same room, thinking aloud and having everyone pitch in comments, suggestions and critical analyses on just about anything, laid down a strong foundation for each venture before taking it to the outside world," said Fatema Kothari, a University of Maryland graduate student. "This had to be one of the best experiences I've ever had and it's really built my confidence as well as my connections.

"I am so impressed with the effort and dedication of these students who voluntary gave up their winter breaks for a unique learning experience. In a tough economic environment students with such tremendous initiative would be a great addition for any new venture," said Asher Epstein, managing director of the Dingman Center.

In a job market where uncertainty is certain, the center is giving students fundamentals that will help them stay ahead of the curve and soar when the time is right. In addition to building ventures, the bootcamp was meant to be fun. Team building activities included field trips to the local mall to study retail businesses. Every day, lunch hours were spent building camaraderie, with collective discussion about individual progress for each new venture. There were 11 ventures in all, and at the end of the three weeks, the groups made presentations to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists for start-up funding.

These companies will try to make $5,000 by the end of February in order to become eligible for the Fourth Annual Cupid's Cup Business Plan Competition, April 17, where $22,500 in prize money will be awarded to the best University of Maryland student or alumni startup.

If you are interested in participating in the next Dingman Boot Camp, contact Sara Moon.