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NOVEMBER 2007 |
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The Latest News
Congratulations to Shawn
Goozman, one of the Center's Board of
Advisors, on the birth of a healthy baby girl!
Hailey Rose was born on October 17 at seven pounds,
eight ounces and 21 inches. We're happy to see the
Dingman family expand!
Stop by the office and
meet our new staff members
- Beth Hess and Jen Howell joined the Dingman Center
team in October. Read about their
backgrounds.
Carly Fiorina and Kevin
Plank funded e-Fund featured in the news
- After numerous interviews by reporters,
Melissa Carrier and the e-Fund were featured in
local newspapers and several news Web sites. Check
out what the
Baltimore Sun had to say about the Dingman
Center and ask
Jen Howell for a copy of the Washington
Examiner
clip. Also, the university's latest issue of
Outlook featured the China Business Plan
Competition.
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Also Inside This
Issue...
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Pitch
Dingman News
The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University
of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business held
the October round of its Pitch Dingman Competition on
Friday, October 26, 2007. Pitch Dingman is a monthly
contest open to all members of the University of Maryland
community – including students, faculty and staff –
that is designed to promote entrepreneurship and the
launch of new businesses. The format allows for a five-minute
presentation of a business idea followed by three minutes
of questions and feedback. The contest judges include
a combination of Dingman staff, MBA student scholars,
and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
Ben Kubic, a sophomore at the University of Maryland,
won the October 2007 Pitch Dingman Competition with
his business idea, Peer Advantage Tutors. Kubic
describes his business as an affordable, high-quality
“Prince Georges County based peer-to-peer tutoring company
that uses high school and college students to tutor
their peers in almost any subject taught in local high
schools.” Peer Advantage Tutors offers in-home
one-on-one tutoring, SAT prep classes, and college applications
advising. In order to ensure high-quality tutoring,
Kubic requires peer tutors to maintain a GPA of 3.5
or better. In addition to the same GPA requirement,
SAT tutors must also achieve a least a 2000 on the SAT
exam. With over six years of experience as a peer tutor,
Kubic believes Peer Advantage Tutors meets the
unique tutoring needs of struggling students. With its
newest offering, an affordable specially-designed SAT
Preparatory course, Kubic expects Peer Advantage
Tutors to help Prince Georges County students meet
their educational goals and achieve academic success.
The Pitch Dingman Competition is held monthly at
the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University
of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business during
the academic calendar year. Also during the academic
year, working sessions (non-competitive sessions) are
held each Friday from 11am to 12 pm to assist entrepreneurs
in preparing their pitches and to offer feedback and
advice once competitors’ businesses are up and running.
For more information about the Pitch Dingman Competition,
the Pitch Dingman work sessions, and to register as
a participant, email
PitchDingman@rhsmith.umd.edu.
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Portfolio Company Updates
Amanda Nachman was interviewed by an editor from
mediabistro.com about starting the
publication. Ask
Jen Howell for an electronic version of the
article.
Jim Blakeslee of Geocentric was invited to discuss
the Moblie Web at University of Pennsylvania on Monday,
October 22 at the university’s “Developing an Award-Winning
Mobile Website” event. Topics discussed included: developing
for mobile devices, developing a productive designer-client
relationship and possible future directions of the mobile
web. See Jim's
predictions for Geocentric over the next
12 months.
Support a Dingman portfolio company by adding Goozex
to your profile on Facebook. This is the URL to add
the app to your profile:
http://apps.facebook.com/goozexgames/join.php.
Here is what our new application lets you do:
- Rate & Review Games -- Entire database of 23,000
games ready for you to comment on!
- Post your favorite games
- Post the games you want to play
- Connect to your Goozex account and show your
library lists
- See what your friends have done and what games
they are playing!
- Share with your friends!
North Star Games is a board game company that was
incubated in the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship.
Over the past 3 years, the Dingman Center provided assistance
in the form of advice, business contacts, and a small
equity investment. Their latest award-winning party
game, Wits & Wagers, is stocked at all 1,550 Target
locations.
The company was also featured in the
Washington Post.
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Upcoming
Dingman Center Events
Tuesday, November 13, 11:45 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center Hudson Institute
1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.
20005
Viktor Mayer-Schoenberger of Harvard University
will present a new paper on the role of pro-active policy
in fostering innovation. Prof. Mayer-Schoenberger suggests
that enforcing contracts and property rights, the traditional
role of government in business, is a reactive policy
that does little to encourage entrepreneurship. Rather,
entrepreneurship policy should be as innovative and
pro-active as entrepreneurship itself.
Ben Hallen of University of Maryland’s Smith
School of Business will comment. Prof. Hallen’s
research focuses on efforts by entrepreneurs to form
network ties with potential resource providers and
partners by raising equity investments from venture
capital and corporate investors.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director of
Hudson’s Center for Employment Policy, will
moderate.
This event is free and open to the public. Lunch
will be served.
11:45 a.m.
Registration and Buffet Lunch
12:00 p.m.
Presenter: Victor Mayer-Schoenberger, Harvard University
Discussant: Ben Hallen, University of Maryland
2:00 p.m.
Adjournment
To RSVP (acceptances only) or to request information,
please contact Hudson Institute at 202.974.6451 or e-mail
Andrew Brown at Abrown@hudson.org.
Hudson’s Center for Employment Policy is grateful
to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for the support
of this program.
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Partner
Events
Randy Pausch, a renowned computer scientist – recently
gave his “last lecture” at CMU. A survivor of advanced
pancreatic cancer, listen to Randy talk about the lessons
of his life, what he was proud of, what was difficult
– focusing on what it took to achieve his childhood
dreams. Check out the WSJ article on Mr. Pausch's talk
at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119024238402033039.html.
The full video of his talk is here:
http://www.etc.cmu.edu/global_news/?q=node/42
Randy’s personal page and treatment blog is here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
You're invited to a lively evening of networking
while listening to Eric Major, CEO of K2M, Inc., on
Tuesday, November 13 at Maggiano's located at 2001 International
Drive, McLean, Virginia. He will share the key lessons
he has learned as an entrepreneur and as the founder
of a fast growing medical device company.
6:00-6:45 p.m. Cocktails
6:45-8:00 p.m. Dinner and Program
Space is limited. If you are interested, please RSVP
to
Jen Howell by November 9.
Disruptive
Capital Partners is conducting a contest to find
publicly traded companies with the best disruptive investment
value. The company will award $50,000 in prizes to participants,
including a $5,000 award to your school club if the
grand prize winner is a member.
Winners will identify and articulate strongest investment
opportunities based on the principles of disruptive
innovation as described by Clayton Christensen and others
working in innovation science. Interested individuals
should submit a five-page paper explaining why a company
is disruptive and why it is a good investment.
Individuals or teams are invited to submit and multiple
entries are welcome. Deadline is November 26, 2007.
MIT Enterprise Forum StartupLab
The StartupLab program is aimed at emerging start-ups
(<$500,000 revenue; written business plan). The featured
start-ups, expert panelists and a knowledgeable audience
all participate in the program by discussing the companies'
business plans. This program is organized and run by
the Washington DC/Baltimore chapter of the MIT Enterprise
Forum, a non-profit dedicated to promoting the growth,
education and success of entrepreneurs, particularly
those involved with technology.
The StartupLab will be held on December 13 from 6:30-9:00
p.m. at JHU Applied Physics Lab, Columbia, Maryland.
Interested in presenting? Please contact
Jen Howell.
MITRE, a Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work
For," is seeking a Director to further develop and
manage a Technology Transfer (TTO) program.
Interested in the position? Please contact
Jen Howell for a complete job description.
Business Trends and Opportunities in
Biotechnology
The Macklin Business Institute is holding a forum
on Wednesday, November 14 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Come
hear distinguished leaders in the county's
biotechnology industry, learn about emerging
industry trends and hear the personal stories of
entrepreneurs.
Date:
Wednesday, November 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location:
Germantown campus, 20200 Observation Drive, Science
and Applied Studies (SA) building, Room 162
Speakers: Dr. Kenneth Carter, president and CEO,
Avalon Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Ahn Chang, CEO, Rexahn
Pharmaceuticals; and Joe Hernandez, president and
CEO, Innovative Biosensors, Inc.
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Fall 2007 Calendar
Students are invited to pitch their ideas to the
Dingman Center every Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00
p.m. Each student will have 5-10 minutes to give an
overview of their business idea and Dingman Center staff/EIRs
will provide immediate feedback. Business ideas found
viable will find further support in the Dingman Center.
Every Friday
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm
3570 VMH
Similar to the Pitch Dingman reviews. Business ideas
found viable will find further support in the Dingman
Center.
Friday, November 30
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm
3570 VMH
Friday, December 14
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm
3570 VMH
These catered luncheons are open to all University
of Maryland students. Successful entrepreneurs will
talk about their experiences and answer questions from
the audience.
Friday, December 7, Scott Nash, president and
founder of My Organic Market
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
1511
VMH
The CAN Breakfasts are by invitation only to angel
investors who are qualified investors in the CAN network.
Investors will have an opportunity to hear a 10 minute
presentation from approximately four start-up entrepreneurs
who are seeking funding for their business. For more
information on the CAN Program and to participate, contact
Melissa Carrier.
Wednesday, December 12
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 am
2517
VMH
Students and faculty are invited to hear start-up
companies present to our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
and Dingman staff as they prepare for Capital Access
Network angel investor presentations. Listen to feedback
by our experts, give some advice of your own, and learn
about some of the new businesses being started today.
It's a great experience for everyone!
Wednesday, November 14
9:00
a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - Cagic
10:00
a.m. - ContentNow
11:00
a.m. - SETECS
2505 VMH
See what's on the horizon in the world of technologies.
These panel discussions will look at some of the cutting
edge trends and innovations to come to market. Learn
how these technologies are going to affect healthcare,
entertainment, financial services, defense, media, and
the entire range of human interaction.
Wednesday, November 28
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1528
VMH
The Mentor Program is an innovative consulting service
for entrepreneurs and small-medium businesses that assists
companies in identifying solutions to business problems
with the support of experienced, senior management professionals.
Every Tuesday beginning September 18
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
3570 VMH
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Dingman Center
Programs
Got a business idea? Want free advice from seasoned
entrepreneurs? Join us every Friday from 11:00-12:00
p.m. to pitch your business in five minutes, no appointment
necessary. Your next opportunity to win $500 at the
Pitch Dingman Competition is on November 30 at 11:00
a.m. in 3570 Van Munching Hall. Please note that registration
is required for the Pitch Dingman Competition dates.
For more information, e-mail
PitchDingman@rhsmith.umd.edu.
In partnership with tech councils, incubators, and
state-funded institutions, the Capital Access Network
(CAN) enables entrepreneurs of start-up companies in
Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Delaware to connect
with active, accredited angel investors. The purpose
of the Capital Access Network (CAN) is to provide open
and efficient access to early-stage capital for entrepreneurs
in the DC Metro area. This year's sponsors are: Morrison
& Foerster LLP, Deloitte, Silicon Valley Bank, and Emerging
Technology Centers. To apply for potential exposure
to capital and investor coaching, email
Melissa Carrier.
If you are interested in attending presentations by
entrepreneurs and hearing feedback from Dingman's Entrepreneurs-in-Residence,
attend the next CAN Review Day is November 14 at 9:00
a.m. (student audience only please).
The Mentor Program at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship
is an innovative consulting service for entrepreneurs
and small-medium businesses that assists companies in
identifying solutions to business problems with the
support of experienced, senior management professionals.
Office hours are every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00
a.m. Contact
Melissa Carrier
for an appointment, to set up a session, or for more
details. Additionally, consultative services will be
available for select companies looking for longer-term
support from mentors at $250/hour payable to the Dingman
Center.
Check out the latest MD student business,
Feed the Turtle. This
business offers
an interactive database including menus, phone numbers,
addresses and hours of operation of the restaurants
and bars in College Park at
www.FeedTheTurtle.com.
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Dingman
Center's New Staff Members
In October, Beth Hess and Jen Howell
joined the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship as program
manager and operations manager, respectively.
As program manager, Beth will work on the Pitch Dingman
and Capital Access Network (CAN) programs.
Prior to joining the Dingman Center, Hess managed
communications and member relations for Hands On Science
Outreach, a nonprofit organization providing after-school
science programs for children nationwide. Previously,
she worked at the Washington, D.C. office of Hill and
Knowlton, an international public relations agency.
As a member of the media relations practice, she met
the communications needs of a range of corporate, nonprofit
and public sector clients.
A Maryland native, Hess holds a bachelor's degree
in journalism and political science from the Robert
E. Cook Honor's College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
She lives in College Park, Maryland.
Jen Howell is operations manager for the Dingman
Center and is responsible for planning and
coordinating all aspects of the Center's operations.
Prior to joining the Center, she served as account
executive and manager of client services at AutoCom
Associates, an agency providing public relations and
counsel to Tier 1 automotive suppliers. She previously
served as the director of operations for Michigan State
University's baseball team.
A Michigan native, Howell holds a bachelor's degree
in journalism from Michigan State University. She lives
in Arlington, Virginia.
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Student Successes
What started as a student initiative in 2003 is
now a unique event which inspires, educates and
promotes sustainable and creative thinking in the
global business arena. The Thunderbird Sustainable
Innovation Summit and Challenge comprises of a
global innovation competition for teams of Master's
level students from around the world to tackle
real-world business challenges. The Challenge begins
with an Online Round on October 1-21 and the Final
Round will be held at the Thunderbird campus in
Glendale, Arizona, on Nov. 8-10, 2007.
The UMD MBA team beat out more than 80 teams from
around the world in the first round with their
business concept "green future" - a private/public
partnership to produce renewable energy, engage in
public education about energy technology, attract
tourists and showcase local artistic talent. Team
members include: Billy Grayson, 2008, Valencia
Lawrence, 2008, Brian Mok, 2009, and Volkan Bayram,
2008.
The Dingman Center will sponsor the team's
appearance at the Final Round in Glendale, Arizona.
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Feed
the Turtle
Hungry? Look no further than this new student business
at www.feedtheturtle.com.
FeedTheTurtle.com was started in the Fall of 2007
by three students at the University of Maryland. Jimmy
Lyons, Sarah Kornides and Clinton Masterson grew tired
of always ordering food from the same restaurants. They
searched everywhere for menus and phone numbers, but
realized that this was an extremely frustrating experience.
After endlessly brainstorming a solution to this problem,
an interactive database including menus, phone numbers,
addresses, and hours of operation of ALL the
restaurants and bars in College Park, was born.
Although it took hard work, business negotiations
and extensive research, Jimmy, Sarah and Clint knew
that their all-inclusive online menu guide would greatly
benefit the students, faculty and residents of College
Park.
Their Web site includes all the menus for College
Park, some ridiculous food specials and nightly entertainment
information.
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Buy Your Smith-Branded Merchandise at the Smith
Store
 Your
VIP visitors and departmental guest speakers should
leave Smith with an elegant Smith-branded gift as a
thank you for their visit, and The Smith Store is THE
place to go for these items. The Smith Store has been
working hard to develop a selection of high-quality
merchandise that will be appreciated, displayed and
used back in your visitor's home or office. With two
weeks notice, the "sky is the limit" in terms of item
selection. If you are short on time the Smith Store
has in stock.
There are a few great products in stock now, ranging
in price. The Smith Store has newly designed T-shirts,
sweatshirts, hats, coffee mugs, coffee thermoses, wine
openers and many more items to come. Always available
from The Smith Store is the Smith polo shirt, available
for $25.00, or brown leather money clip wallets for
$15.00.
Questions? Contact Tarak Dave at
tarakd@umd.edu.
The Smith Store is located in 3570-U, in the Dingman
Center for Entrepreneurship. The hours of the Smith
Store vary and appointments are always available to
meet your needs.
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The Dingman Center for
Entrepreneurship
Founded by Rudy Lamone in 1986, the Dingman Center
was one of the first of its kind in the country and
has emerged as a top-ranked entrepreneurship center.
Thanks to initial funding with a generous grant from
Michael D. Dingman, founder of the Signal Corporation
(now part of Honeywell International), the Dingman Center
continues to grow as a regional and national catalyst
in the field of entrepreneurship. The Center is now
aggressively evolving, and in some areas, is expanding
its services to further its role as a leader in the
student, regional, and academic entrepreneurial communities.
The Dingman Center is currently led by:
Asher Epstein, Managing Director
Melissa Carrier, Director
Mr. John LaPides, Chairman of the Board and Entrepreneur
In Residence
Please visit our Web site at
http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman.
Past Newsletters:
- October, 2007
- September, 2007
- August, 2007
- July, 2007
- June, 2007
- May, 2007
- April,
2007
- March, 2007
- February, 2007
- January, 2007
- December, 2006
- November, 2006
- October, 2006
- September,
2006
- August, 2006
- July, 2006
- June, 2006
- May, 2006
- April, 2006
-
March, 2006
- February, 2006
-
January, 2006
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