Tips & Advice | Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

Mar 21 2014

Worth Reading 3/21/14

This week, UMD students are enjoying their Spring Break and the Dingman Center is on the countdown to Cupid’s Cup! Only 14 days left until Game Day. Have you reserved your ticket yet? Visit http://www.cupidscup.com to get a ticket while they last. Now, here’s what is worth reading.

According to The Wall Street Journal, young companies thinking they might be worth billions may need a reality check. Read why Valuations Soar for a Select Few, While Many Early-Stage Ventures Struggle
Entrepreneurs are learning how to create killer applications that can disrupt the mobile ecosystem. Here is How To Create A ‘Killer App’: A Guide For Entrepreneurs.
For Some, Age Is No Obstacle to Entrepreneurship. Get inspired by these retirees who started a successful business over the age of 60.
Just a few years ago, the thought of a tech entrepreneur conjured up an image of a young, nerdy male in baggy pants, an old T-shirt and huge glasses coding in a windowless dorm room until the wee hours of the morning. All of that is changing. Witness The rise of geek chic: Tech entrepreneurs have ditched the hoodies for their own fashion style.

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Tagged Cupid's Cup, worth reading

Mar 07 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 3/7/14

Our Graphic Design Intern, Hannah Shaw, hard at work on Cupid’s Cup!

Today the Center For Social Value Creation held their signature event, the sixth annual Social Enterprise Symposium, attracting hundreds of attendees. In less than one month, it will be our turn! Register for Cupid’s Cup early to reserve your ticket at the nation’s toughest business competition.

Now, let’s check out this week’s Worth Reading:

Check out 15 Small Business Owners Share What They Wish They’d Known When They First Started and learn something new.
Let a young Spanish incubator tell you 5 Things Startups Do Before They Crash.
Read How To Prove Your Concept Will Attract Customers.
Check out how some of the Boston’s most successful women in technology support local nonprofits in Women put startup savvy to work for charity.

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Tagged Advise, business, business strategy, customers, entrepreneurship, ideas, tech women, telecom

Feb 28 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 2/28/14

Can our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence have the same effect on professional football players that they have on student entrepreneurs? We’ll find out this Sunday when EIRs Harry Geller and John LaPides participate in a four-day entrepreneurship conference for current and former National Football League players.

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Participants will include: NFL cornerback Phillip Buchanon who is creating a board game to teach money management and other life skills to kids; Arizona Cardinals long snapper Mike Leach who is developing a product to help parents toilet train their toddlers; and Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress who has introduced a line of colorful, luxury socks. Read this Baltimore Sun article for more details.

Now, here is what’s Worth Reading this week.

Shannon Bahrke Happe, a three-time Olympic skiier and owner of Silver Bean Coffee Company, knows how to be a winner on the slopes and in business. Learn her secrets through 10 Things I learned While Training for the Olympics That Absolutely Apply to Business.
Thousands of entrepreneurs will be flocking to Austin, TX next month for South by Southwest. If you’re there, make sure you check out the panel Student Startups: The Ultimate Educational Experience. Our managing director, Elana Fine (@elanafine) will be on the panel! For all you SXSW rookies, here is a survival guide with 14 things you should know before you get there.
The world’s cliché life lessons don’t always apply to entrepreneurs; just ask Mark Cuban or Bill Gates. These are 5 Life Lessons To Unlearn To Be An Entrepreneur (Infographic).
Are you a bootstrapped entrepreneur? Don’t let it hinder your progress. Check out these Practical Survival Tips For The Bootstrapped Startup.
Some of Boston’s most successful women in technology and business are putting their startup savvy to work to support local nonprofits. Read about the new funding model that is allowing successful women to give back.

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Tagged business, EIR, entrepreneurship, Fearless Founders, Life Lessons, NFL, Student Entrepreneur, tech women, tips

Feb 21 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 2/21/14

Dingman Center GAs at work.

As happens every four years, the Olympics are dominating the media. We can’t get enough of reading about athletes from all across the world. While it’s clear these Olympic athletes are fully committed to training for their sport, many have a day job. American snowboarder, Travis Rice, is not only a sensational athlete, but also a successful entrepreneur. He is the owner and the founder of the online gallery AsymbolGallery.com. There are many more athlete/entrepreneurs out there–who’s your favorite?

Check out some non-Sochi news we found Worth Reading this week:

For startups, the more social media you can execute yourself, the smalles your budget will need to be. Check out Social Media Stats 2014 (Infographic) to learn which network will work best for your business objectives.

If you’re in the food business, one of the most critical factors is location; however, for food trucks, no such concern exists. Read Food Trucks 101: How To Start a Mobile Food Business if you’re thinking about starting one yourself.

As teams grow bigger, it is harder for the boss to motivate and engage with each and every employee. If you’re a founder of startup with a growing team, read Why Don’t My Employees Care? and learn an important lesson.

Real entrepreneurs take actions. They are fearless and are not afraid of making mistakes. Check out 4 Traits That Separate Real Entrepreneurs From Wannabes.

“Why not let start-up incubators and accelerators provide a bridge between traditional Hollywood interests, tech companies and angel investors?” Check out Hollywood Needs Start-Ups Incubators for Entertainment.

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Feb 14 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 2/14/14

This Wednesday, we kicked off the Idea Shell cohort of Fearless Founders with 30 new student companies. The University of Maryland is closed again today due to inclement weather; stay safe!

Now, let’s see sit back and enjoy what we have prepared for this week’s Worth Reading:

Bisnow recently released it’s list of Power Women in Tech, including the Dingman Center’s managing director, Elana Fine! (@elanafine)
Since we have to cancel Innovation Fridays this week, take a look at How To Come Up With a Breakthrough Idea and be ready to pitch to an EIR next week.
For startups, one of the most efficient ways to get noticed is to become a thought leader in a certain field. Here’s How to Become a Thought Leader in a Month or Less.
Entrepreneur.com tells us that customers are looking for long-term relationships with brands, not a meaningless fling. In honor of Valentine’s Day, here is an infographic that will answer the question “Does My Customer Love Me?”
The Walt Disney Company is encouraging digital startups ten startups focused on media and entertainment ideas will work with Disney leaders. Read more about Disney Accelerator in The New York Times.

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Tagged entrepreneurship, New Ideas, POD, PR

Feb 07 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 2/7/14

Today, the Dingman Center is leading the Smith School’s MBA Entrepreneurship Club in hosting the regional Venture Capital Investment Capital Competition. Smith MBAs are joined by teams from the Wharton School, the Darden School of Business, the McDonough School of Business, the Tepper School of Business, the Carey Business School and the Columbia Business School. Follow our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on the winners. Now, let’s check out what’s worth reading.

Even Olympic athletes are getting bit by the entrepreneurship bug, starting companies during breaks from their intense training schedules. Read about how Olympians pursue startup ventures on the side.
We all read so much about how Millennials are starting their own companies left and right, but recent data is suggesting the opposite. Are Millennials Really the Entrepreneurial Generation?
According to Inc Magazine this is The One Behavior That Guarantees Failure.
What do Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffet have in common? It’s not just their net worth. Check out this infographic for Habits of the World’s Wealthiest People.
Earlier this week, Militello Capital announced it’s investment in SalesWarp, developed by Dingman Center Angels portfolio company, 6th Street Commerce.

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Jan 31 2014

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 1/31/14

Program Manager, Rebecca Thorman, talks to students about Innovation Fridays

Program & Project Manager Rebecca Thorman talks to students about Innovation Fridays

Welcome back to Worth Reading! It felt great to see students back on campus and in the Dingman Center. It’s another busy Friday for the team with Innovation Fridays resuming, the Fearless Founders course kicking off, and students watching pitches from regional startups at Dingman Center Angels Review Day. We’re re-launching a few other programs this semester, particularly for MBA students. In case you missed it, take a look at a recent post on what we’re planning for the Smith Experience.

Now, check out what’s worth reading this week:

Have you ever wondered what industries appeal most to VCs? You may be surprised. TechCrunch tells us why No Industry Is Safe From VC Disruption.
2013 was a rough year for tech companies, but Inc. predicts a “glass-half-full kind of year” for 2014. Here are 23 CEOs to Watch in 2014.
Dingman Center Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jason Shrensky, recently spoke to the Washington Post’s Capital Business about things for entrepreneurs to consider when selecting a co-working space. Shrensky is also a co-founder of UberOffices so he is quite the expert on the subject. Read this week’s Business Rx: How do you select a co-working space?
Megan Duckett, founder of Rent What? and Sew What?, became an accidental entrepreneur after a hobby turned into a multi-million dollar thriving textile business.

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Dec 06 2013

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 12/6/13

As of today, there is one month left to apply for Cupid’s Cup. We have received many impressive applications from all over the country, and we are still looking for more. Interested in total of $115K in cash prizes? Want to compete in the nation’s toughest competition? How about exclusive access to Kevin Plank‘s professional network? Don’t hesitate, apply for Cupid’s Cup right now and impress us with your brilliant business!

Now, let’s check out the Worth Reading for this week.

Many people believe in certain myths about entrepreneurship, but not all of them are true. Get it straight by reading 4 Startup Myths That Should Be Busted Immediately.
Entrepreneurs are resilient. They may stumble in one place but they always bounce back. Check out the stories of 4 Incredibly Successful Companies That Didn’t Get A Deal On ‘shark Tank’.
Check out 12 Successful Entrepreneurs Share The Best Advice They Ever Got and steal their secrets!
It is close to the end of 2013, and it’s time to evaluate the performance of outstanding entrepreneurs in this year. Read the article about Aaron Levie and see why he is named Inc. Magazine’s entrepreneur of the year.

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Tagged Advise, business competition, business idea, Cash Prize, Cupid's Cup, DC entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, kevin plank, Shark Tank, Startup Myth

Nov 22 2013

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 11/22/13

Global Entrepreneurship Week was a great success for the Dingman Center! From Tuesday’s Entrepreneurship Connector to Thursday’s Pitch Dingman Competition, check out some highlights in the below photo gallery. Thank you to those who celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week with us.

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Now, let’s check out this week’s Worth Reading.

Thanksgiving is approaching. As an entrepreneur, what do you do to boost sales? Read the 9 Ways to Make Extra Money Around the Holidays.
There is an old saying, ”you do not get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate”. Check out the 5 Way to Access Fair Pay and learn useful tips.
So why haven’t you started your business yet? Many entrepreneur-wannabes wonder. Read these four steps on how to become an entrepreneur in real life.
Mashable took some time to focus on female entrepreneurs this week. Take a look at 3 Tips for Women Leaders in the Boardroom.
Successful entrepreneurs are full of charisma. Read 10 Habits of Remarkably Charismatic People and learn some tips.

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Tagged boardroom, business, charismatic people, DC entrepreneurs, DC Startup, entrepreneurship, thanksgiving, tips, women entrepreneur

Nov 15 2013

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Worth Reading

Worth Reading 11/15/13

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This week, participants of Fearless Founders presented on the progress of their business ideas to sponsors from Capital One. It was great to see how far they’ve come! We also had a Research and Practice Luncheon discussing the use of crowdfunding. The luncheon promoted engaged interaction between faculty, staff, angel investors and students. Check out some photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Now, here’s the Worth Reading for this week.

It’s not east presenting your business to angel investors. Read this article to learn 7 Tips For Pitching Your Entrepreneurial Idea, Whether To Angels Or Sharks.
Electric car company, Tesla, has become the hottest name in the Silicon Valley. Read Elon Musk’s Tesla Strategy Starts With 3 Cars and realize why.
For entrepreneurs, when it comes to business development vs. technology development, which one works better? Read the Stanford vs. MIT: How Marketing Tumps Technology In Startups.
As a student, you might not have the time and money to start a viable business. Check out this article and play “Hipster CEO” instead.
Instagram is a free and effective resource for small business, but non-adopters are still reluctant to use it for a variety of reasons. Read this article of The 5 Biggest Misconceptions About Using Instagram for Business.

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Tagged business idea, CEO, entrepreneurship, instagram, Marketing, small business, student, technology

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