The Terp Startup Accelerator, run by the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, has once again showcased the incredible talent and innovation within the University of Maryland community. As we wrap up another successful cohort, we’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our 2023 participants. This year, we saw a diverse range of ventures tackling various industries and challenges, each bringing their unique vision to the forefront.
The culmination of the accelerator program was marked by an exciting Demo Day, where each venture had the opportunity to pitch their business to an audience of peers, mentors, and investors. The energy in the room was palpable as these aspiring entrepreneurs shared their progress, insights, and future plans.
In recognition of their hard work and growth throughout the program, we awarded a total of five prizes, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, across different categories. These awards were designed to acknowledge the ventures that demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in key areas of business development.
Award Categories and Winners
Cohort Choice Award ($1,000)
This award was determined by a vote among the cohort members during and after the Demo Day pitches. Each participant had one vote to cast for the venture they believed made the most significant progress throughout the accelerator, showcasing substantial growth and development.
Customer Discovery Award ($1,000)
Recognizing the venture that excelled in understanding their target market, this award was given to the team that demonstrated a deep and insightful approach to customer discovery, laying a strong foundation for their business.
Go-To-Market Strategy Award ($1,000)
Awarded to the venture with the most compelling and well-defined strategy for entering the market, this prize acknowledged the importance of a clear and executable plan for reaching customers and achieving growth.
Product-Market Fit Award ($1,000)
This award celebrated the venture that effectively identified and addressed a genuine need in the market, showing great promise for success and scalability with their product or service.
Audience Investing with Dingman Dollars ($2,000)
A unique aspect of our Demo Day was the opportunity for attendees to “invest” using Dingman Dollars. Each participant received three Dingman Dollars to allocate to their favorite ventures. The venture that attracted a minimum of five Dingman Dollars and the highest total investment received this special award, highlighting its popularity and potential appeal to real-world investors.
Looking Ahead
As we congratulate the winners and all the participants of the Terp Startup Accelerator 2023 Cohort, we look forward to seeing how these ventures will continue to grow and make their mark in the entrepreneurial world. The dedication, creativity, and resilience demonstrated by these young entrepreneurs are a testament to the vibrant and innovative spirit of the University of Maryland community.
Stay tuned for more updates and success stories from the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship as we continue to support and nurture the next generation of business leaders and change-makers.
Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship 