MBA alum and former Dingman Scholar Matt Fleischer put passion into promise to create a successful beer company Zoey Rawlins, founder of Shop DC and former Dingman Scholar, launched her business by following trends in the marketplace Run by students, The Smith Store offers promotional branded apparel, accessories and gifts The Dingman Center supports entrepreneurs throughout the Washington D.C. Metro Area and beyond The Dingman Center is located at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland

How to Register

Overview  ♦  How to Pitch  ♦  Preparing a Pitch  ♦  Past Winners  ♦  FAQ

To pitch your idea at one of the weekly informal Pitch Dingman sessions, all you have to do is show up prepared to talk about your idea. To reduce waiting time, we'd prefer you email us at PitchDingman@rhsmith.umd.edu  to let us know you are coming. Up to $500 will be awarded weekly.

To compete in the $2,500 competitions, register to pitch by email and submit an eight-sentence description of your business idea or an executive summary. We recommend that you attend at least one informal weekly session before you register for a competition, but it is not required. Then prepare a 5- to 8-minute PowerPoint Presentation directed towards an investor audience for delivery at the competition. Click here to learn about common mistakes made by entrepreneurs.

Competition dates for the 2008-2009 year are:

(all competitions are from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

  • September 26, 2008
  • October 31, 2008
  • November 21, 2008
  • December 12, 2008
  • February 27, 2009
  • March 27, 2009
  • April 24, 2009
  • May 9, 2009
 

Still have questions? Go to FAQs now.