Charity Fundraisers: Building a Quality Product to Benefit Nonprofits
Brian Rechtman ’05, founder of Bluetree Marketing, helps nonprofits raise funds through curated experiences and auctions. Inspired by Smith School advice to “sell the best,” he’s built a social enterprise that’s supported nearly 10,000 charity events worldwide.
AI Tool That Aims for Viral Clips Takes Top Honors at Pitch Dingman
An AI tool that auto-clips livestreams for social media won the top $25K prize at UMD’s 2025 Pitch Dingman Competition, hosted by the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship, which awarded over $170K to ventures across five student and alumni tracks.
Startup Bazaar Showcases Smith Impact, Leadership in Business Education
Startup Bazaar, held April 12 at the Smith School, showcased the state’s tech ecosystem and featured leaders including Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. The event highlighted Smith’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and AI, and drew strong participation from startups and state officials.
Entrepreneurial Education From Smith Helps Alumnus Follow His Passion
Joe Kattan ’23 leveraged his Smith finance degree to land a consulting role at Bain before pursuing his entrepreneurial passion. Now the owner of AppraiseItNow, he applies automation and AI to modernize appraisals, drawing on skills honed at Smith.
One Alumna and Entrepreneur’s Three-pronged Approach to Success
Shalanda Armstrong, MBA ’12, founded 100KM Ventures to support women-led startups in digital health and the future of work. With a background in engineering, strategy, and finance, she remains engaged with Smith, mentoring students and serving on advisory boards.
A Founder’s Legacy
The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship has been renamed the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship, honoring founder and former Smith School Dean Rudolph P. Lamone. A $3.8 million gift will expand its support for inclusive entrepreneurship, student ventures, and alumni businesses.
Influential Entrepreneurship Center Re-Named the Dingman-Lamone Center to Honor Longtime Dean Rudy Lamone
The University of Maryland’s Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship has been renamed the Dingman-Lamone Center, honoring Rudy Lamone’s visionary leadership. A $3.8M gift from Linda Lamone strengthens the center’s endowment, supporting its renowned entrepreneurship programs and fostering future innovators.
Alumna’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Helps Generations of Smith Entrepreneurs
Elana Fine ’97, CEO of VWG Wealth Management, exemplifies an entrepreneurial mindset through her career and leadership. As a former director and current board member of the Dingman-Lamone Center, she champions student entrepreneurship and supports next-generation business leaders.
‘Hustle Your Tail Off, But Do it With Kindness’
Manpreet Singh ’03, co-founder of Singh Capital, emphasizes success with kindness, selflessness, and community service. From launching startups like TalkLocal to fostering philanthropy for minority communities, his values guide his ventures, including mentoring through Smith’s Dingman-Lamone Center.
Why I Give: Gifting Inspired by Rudy Lamone’s Tireless Mentorship
Ish Dugal ’05 and his wife, Priya Atur Dugal ’05, established the Dugal Impact Fellowship to support aspiring entrepreneurs. Administered by Smith’s Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship, the fellowship provides stipends for University of Maryland students interning with startups, fostering hands-on experience and entrepreneurial grit.