Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. For one week every November, organizations around the world participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week with events and programs that celebrate entrepreneurship. After a successful GEW 2013, the Dingman Center is back at it, November 17-21, for a week-long celebration of entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland. Here’s what he have planned for this year.
Monday, November 17
Smith IS Global
All Day, Grand Atrium, Van Munching Hall
Nov. 17-21 is also International Education Week. Wear your “Ask Me About My Global Connections” sticker and share your study abroad experience, research, language, family story, etc. from around the world. Check the Smith kiosk for daily events or stop by Smith’s Office of Global Initiatives for a schedule.
Tuesday, November 18
Global Experience By Design
6-8:30 p.m., 6137 McKeldin Library
Where do entrepreneurial and innovative ideas come from? Using Design Thinking is a great place to start! Come to this hands-on workshop ready to work with a team on the pre-seeded design challenge Global Experience by Design in order to learn about design thinking. Leave ready to apply this process to a problem you are passionate about solving. This event is co-sponsored by the Academy for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship Connector Club.
To participate, RSVP at globalbydesign.eventbrite.com
Wednesday, November 19
Silk Road Rediscovered With Prof. Anil Gupta 
Noon-1 p.m., 2505 Van Munching Hall
Join the Smith School’s MBA Entrepreneurship Club and Professor Anil Gupta for an intimate conversation about his latest book, The Silk Road Rediscovered, the first book ever to provide a roadmap to understanding corporate linkages between China and India. Over lunch, Professor Gupta will discuss the growing challenges and opportunities to doing business in China and India. Attendees will also learn how leading innovative companies are pioneering the path between these emerging economic giants, followed by a Q&A.
RSVP at ter.ps/EClubNov19
Thursday, November 20
Terp Marketplace
3:30-5:30 p.m., Grand Atrium, Van Munching Hall
Shop the latest products and services from your fellow Terps while helping student entrepreneurs test the market.
Pitch Dingman Competition
6-7:30 p.m., Frank Auditorium, Van Munching Hall
Five student entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for $3,500 in prizes. As the signature event of the week-long celebration, all attendees will receive a free gift sponsored by Route One Apparel
Register at ter.ps/Nov20
Pitch Dingman Competition Judges Panel:
- John Gambaccini, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
- Ashish Gambhir, founder, newBrandAnalytics
- David Quattrone, Chief Technology Officer, Cvent
- Kathryn Stewart, Managing Director, Cranbrook Capital
Friday, November 21
Innovation Fridays: Pitch Dingman
11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2518 Van Munching Hall
Have an idea for a business? Entrepreneurs in Residence are available to hear and offer feedback on new business ideas. No appointment needed; just come ready to talk about your business idea and receive actionable next steps.
MBA Venture Capital Investment Competition: Final Round @Smith
1:30-5:00 p.m., Frank Auditorium, Van Munching Hall
Watch MBA teams negotiate term sheets with local startups in this annual mock venture capital competition. Negotiations will take place from 1:30- 4:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony and reception at 5:00 p.m. The winning team will represent UMD at the regional finals, to be held at Georgetown University on January 30, 2015.
For more about the competition, visit vcic.org.
