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

• 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.

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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.

Mentor Program—Mentors with a broad range of technical and educational backgrounds are available to provide guidance to entrepreneurs. They include business, marketing and financial consultants, attorneys, accountants, and other successful entrepreneurs.

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.

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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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