Tag Archives: events

An Interview with Pitch Dingman Competition Finalist: Flee

In anticipation of the final round of the 2018 Pitch Dingman Competition, the Dingman Center is interviewing each of the five startup finalists about their progress and upcoming challenges as they prepare to compete for the $15,000 Grand Prize on March 6 in the Grand Ballroom of Stamp Student Union. Learn more and register to attend the competition here.

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Flee

Didac Hormiga, Founder & CEO

bluepngflee.pngUniversity of Maryland junior Didac Hormiga is the founder of mobile app Flee, which stands for “Finding Local Events and Entertainment.” Didac is a marketing and information systems double-major with a minor in technology entrepreneurship, but is also a former YouTube content creator (with over 1,000,000 views) and current LinkedIn Campus Editor. Didac’s marketing and social media background is complemented by the app development skills of his CTO, Ian Sawyer, whom he met while interning at Talk Local. Together, they have successfully beta-tested an events app targeted to college students that has what it takes to compete with the limited events functionality pasted onto popular social media platforms. The app currently contains over 200,000 events from both local partners and larger event providers such as Eventbrite and Ticketmaster, with convenient options for discounts, on-site payment (through Venmo or Paypal) and transportation to venues. Between enrolling in the Terp Startup phase of the Dingman Center’s Fearless Founders Accelerator and pitching at Pitch Dingman Competition Finals, Didac and Ian have continued to develop their app based on customer feedback, and are poised to imminently launch a massive contender in the social events app space.

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Keep Up With The Dingman Center This Summer

Did you think the Dingman Center was taking a break this summer? Think again! Although we’re not having weekly Pitch Dingman sessions or monthly Dingman Center Angels investor meetings, there are a number of ways you can stay engaged with us this summer.

1. Attend a FREE startup workshop.

One of the biggest perks of being in the Terp Startup summer incubator program is that students have access to workshops from leading experts. Since not all of the entrepreneurs in our network could join Terp Startup, many of these workshops will be open to the public! Join us for sessions on a wide range of topics including Growing Beyond Product #1, Customer Relationship Management, Sources of Funding and Accounting Needs. A full listing of all open workshops are available on the Terp Startup page on our website.

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2. Sign-up to receive The Pitch!

The Pitch is a bi-weekly email digest that will keep you informed on what’s happening in our community. It includes regional events, job postings, updates on our portfolio companies and student startups, as well as recent news from inside the Dingman Center. If you don’t already receive The Pitch, join our mailing list.

@UMD_Dingman3. Tweet, tweet, tweet.

The best place to get real-time updates from the Dingman Center is through our Twitter feed. Don’t miss a shout out, behind the scenes picture or #tbt post!

4. Network with us

Our involvement in the regional startup community doesn’t stop just because it’s summer. You can see our staff out at various events in D.C. and Baltimore. This weekend, Managing Director Elana Fine will moderate a panel on MBA Women Entrepreneurs at the  2015 Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference. Our Fearless Founders will be out at various tech meetups too. We look forward to seeing you out and about.

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Smith Centers of Excellence and SERC to Present JOBS Act Panel: “How To Protect The Crowd In Crowdfunding”

It has been three years since Obama’s historic signing of the JOBS Act, which was enacted as a way to help small businesses, the lifeblood of job growth in the U.S., more easily obtain funding by easing securities regulations. Since 2012, the entrepreneurial community has eagerly awaited the SEC’s final guidance on the rules regarding crowdfunding.

It appears that the SEC is close to issuing rules on how the Act will affect equity investments of non-accredited investors in small businesses and startups, particularly through crowdfunding vehicles.

jobs-act-senate-passesOn Friday, May 8, the Smith School’s Center for Financial Policy, Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and the Smith Entrepreneurship Research Conference will host a panel discussion among experts from the academic, regulatory and entrepreneurial communities on how to regulate the industry in a way that protects investors from fraudulent activity while preserving the spirit of the JOBS Act.

The panel will be moderated by Brent Goldfarb, Academic Director at the Dingman Center and Associate Professor.

The panelists will include:

  • Wayne Kimmel, Founder and Managing Partner, Seventy-Six Capital
  • David Lynn, Partner, Morrison & Forester, and former Chief Counsel of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Ramana Nanda, Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University
  • Brian Knight, Associate Director, Financial Policy, Center for Financial Markets, Milken Institute

The panel culminates the annual invitation-only Smith Entrepreneurship Research Conference hosted by the University of Maryland, which is attended by faculty from leading academic institutions (e.g., Wharton, Stanford and MIT). Leading researchers and rising stars in entrepreneurship research gather to discuss relevant social, economic and organizational issues around entrepreneurship.

The crowdfunding panel is the only session open to the public. Join us for the event, which will be held in Tyser Auditorium, Van Munching Hall at 3:30 on Friday, May 8. For more event details, please click here.

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Mark Your Calendar: Spring is Full of Entrepreneurship Events for Terps

It’s officially spring, and with that comes many exciting entrepreneurship events for the Terp community. Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss!

Apunnamedril 8 & June 11: Dingman Center Angels Pitch Sessions

The final two investor pitch sessions will be held for the Dingman Center Angels. Members will gather to hear pitches from promising regional startups. Click here for more information.

April 10 & 17: Pitch Dingman hops on the TerpRide bus.

In celebration of UMD’s 3rd Annual 30 Days of Entrepreneurship, the Dingman Center EIRs will be on the TerpRide bus on these two dates to provide startup feedback to Terps. The bus will be parked outside the Stamp Student Union. Terps can pitch their business ideas on the bus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 22: 10th Anniversary Cupid’s Cup Competition

Join Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank and an all-star panel of judges as six student entrepreneur finalists compete for more than $115K in cash prizes in one of the world’s toughest business competitions. RSVP today, space is limited and the event will sell out!

3:30-5:30 p.m. Startup Showcase
6 p.m. Final Competition
Register at www.cupidscup.umd.edu

cupidscupMay 6: Inaugural Rudy Awards presented by the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship  

Guests will be invited to join the Center for its inaugural awards celebration where honors will be given to a Student Entrepreneur of the Year; Mentor of the Year; Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year; a Faculty Award and more. Invitations will be distributed in the upcoming weeks.

May 7-9​: Smith Entrepreneurship Research Conference

The Robert H. Smith School of Business’ Management and Organization Department will host the 11th Annual Smith Entrepreneurship Research Conference (SERC) in Van Munching Hall. The conference is a gathering of PhD students and professors who perform research on the topic of entrepreneurship. It’s an opportunity for researchers across the world to exchange ideas about their work. Click here for more information.

DCE logoMay 21: UMD Commencement Ceremony

The Dingman Center will see many Fearless Founders, MBAs and other student entrepreneurs walk across the graduation stage. For details, please visit ww.rhsmith.umd.edu/commencement/.

May 23-31: AdVENTURE Challenge: China

The Dingman Center will travel to China for the 9th Annual China Business Model Competition. This year’s delegation includes MBA students from the Smith School and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Check out more details here.

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Be sure to visit the Dingman Center’s website for information on additional events and student resources.

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Lessons from TOMS Shoes at the Social Enterprise Symposium

By Danielle Bennings

Shira Shafir, director of Social Innovation and Impact at TOMS Shoes

Shira Shafir, Director of Social Innovation and Impact at TOMS Shoes

Last week the Center for Social Value Creation hosted the 7th Annual Social Enterprise Symposium; one of the largest annual events at the University of Maryland. Students, faculty and staff from across campus gathered for a day of interactive sessions, panel discussions and workshops centered around social, environmental and economic change. One of the most exciting aspects of the day was the morning keynote from Shira Shafir, Director of Social Innovation and Impact at TOMS Shoes. Her talk focused on the evolution of TOMS as an organization and their mission to use business to improve lives. Keep reading for highlights from the talk.

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Finalists Announced for Spring Pitch Dingman Competition: RSVP Today

CaptureOn March 4th, five Terp start-ups will compete for $3,500 in funding at the semi-annual Pitch Dingman Competition, which will be held from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Tyser Auditorium, Van Munching Hall. The finalists will each have 6 minutes to pitch their business before the UMD community.

An all-star panel of judges will select the most promising companies to walk away with the cash prizes.  The audience will also have the chance to text-to-vote for their favorite company and award them the $500 Audience Choice Award. Make sure you register to attend and bring a friend to cast your votes at the competition!

Meet the finalists:

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Event Recap: The Silk Road Rediscovered with Professor Anil Gupta

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Professor Anil Gupta, Dingman Chair in Strategy & Entrepreneurship

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of just that: innovators who give life to new ventures that drive economic and social value creation everyday around the world.  Who better to talk with Smith School students about the importance of international entrepreneurship than than global innovation expert, Professor Anil Gupta, the Michael Dingman Chair in Strategy and Globalization at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

On Wednesday, Nov.19, Prof. Gupta led a lunchtime discussion with Smith graduate students and faculty around his latest book, “The Silk Road Rediscovered,” which examines the business and cultural relationships between the emerging countries, India and China.

Though these countries have been around for thousands of years, India and China are more entrepreneurial than ever. As Prof. Gupta shared, these economic super-giants are growing faster than ever, and are poised to surpass the GDP of the developed countries such as the U.S., Japan and Germany in the next 10-20 years.

“Professor Gupta gave very interesting insights into India and China,” said Seth Faulb, a 2015 MBA candidate and president of Smith’s Entrepreneurship Club. “The most interesting thing from the discussion, I thought, was how in the last 2,000 years the global economy was dominated by these two countries and, given conservative estimates, it is very likely to return that way in only 10 years. It sounds to me like the more developed world needs another huge event like the industrial revolution to keep the competitive advantage they have held for the last 100 or so years.”

As future business leaders, a solid understanding of the economic growth and business opportunities in China and India is paramount. At Smith, we are privileged to have such worldly, expert professors, like Prof. Gupta, who can share not only the business implications but also the cultural nuances that will help us work more effectively with diverse teams.

“No matter what career path we are pursuing, at some point it will be very beneficial to have an understanding of the Chinese and Indian economies and the unique characteristics that define each,” said attendee and 2015 MBA candidate, Patrick Gillece. “There are few people who are as knowledgeable and as effective in communicating those issues as Dr. Gupta, so I really appreciated the opportunity to hear from such a renowned expert in the field.”

Anil K. Gupta is the Michael Dingman Chair in Global Strategy & Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business, at the University of Maryland at College Park. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on strategy, entrepreneurship and globalization. Thinkers50 has named him as one of the world’s 50 most influential management thinkers and has been named by The Economist as one of the world’s “superstars” in a cover story on “Innovation in Emerging Economies.” Click here for more information about Dr. Gupta and his latest book, “The Silk Road Rediscovered.”

IMG_5316The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and the Office of Global Initiatives lead a program that brings Smith MBA students to China each year. This year, students will travel from Shanghai to Beijing where they will participate in the 9th Annual China Business Model Competition. Click here to register or learn more about the program.

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Top 5 Reasons to Attend The Pitch Dingman Competition

GEW_LogoThe Pitch Dingman Competition is THE signature event of UMD’s Global Entrepreneurship Week festivities.

Aside from seeing the five finalists pitch their fearless ventures, here are the top 5 reasons you should attend the Pitch Dingman Competition on November 20th:

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Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week With the Dingman Center

During the week of November 18–22, the Dingman Center will participate as a partner in Global Entrepreneurship Week – the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. The week will be full of exciting events with participants from across our community. Take a look at what we’ve got planned and become part of something truly remarkable.

Monday, November 18
Fast Pitch at TEDCO Entrepreneur Expo
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., BWI Marriott
At this session during TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo, companies will test how well they can communicate their business in a three-minute fast pitch to a panel of Dingman Center Angel Investors.

Extreme by Design Movie Screening
5:30–7 p.m., Frank Auditorium, Van Munching Hall
Watch this documentary following three Stanford University students as they design and build products to meet the basic needs of the world’s poor. The Center for Social Value Creation, the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and the Office of Global Initiatives will host a discussion following the film. Register to attend at ter.ps/screening

Tuesday, November 19
Networking Panel at Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day
11-12 p.m., Jimenez Room, Stamp Student Union
Managing Director of the Dingman Center, Elana Fine, will facilitate a networking panel during Bioscience Research & Technology Review Day presented by the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The event aims to join executives and professionals with scientists to promote the potential for academic-industry-government collaboration. Read more about Bioscience Day.

Entrepreneurship Connector
5:30–7 p.m., 2511 Van Munching Hall
Hosted by the Dingman Center and Mtech, students will network with others interested in all things innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn about opportunities across campus, exchange ideas and meet your next co-founder. Attendees will also discuss ideas for a new campus-wide entrepreneurship club that is in development. Dinner will provided. If you’re on Facebook, let us know you’re coming.

Wednesday, November 20
Terp Marketplace
11 a.m.–2 p.m., Grand Atrium, Van Munching Hall
Student entrepreneurs will test the market by selling their products and services to potential customers. Join us for an afternoon of fun and shopping in Van Munching Hall.

EIR Advising Sessions
5:30–8 p.m., Smith School DC Campus, Ronald Reagan Building
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Harry Geller, will be available by appointment to provide feedback and next steps for your business idea. These sessions are great for any part-time MBA students that can’t get to Van Munching Hall for Innovation Fridays. If you are interested, sign up for an appointment.

Thursday, November 21
Pitch Dingman Competition
6:30–8:30 p.m., Tyser Auditorium, Van Munching Hall
The signature event of Global Entrepreneurship Week will be the biggest Pitch Dingman Competition to date! Five student entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas to an all-star panel of judges led by CEO of WeddingWire and keynote speaker Tim Chi. Check out the five finalists here. Attendees will have chance to vote for their favorite company to award them the $500 Audience Choice prize! Arrive early to receive a t-shirt, snack pack and other giveaways. Register to attend at ter.ps/Nov21

Friday, November 22
Dingman Center Angels Review Day
10 a.m.–1 p.m., 1518 Van Munching Hall
Hear presentations by local startups seeking funding from angel investors. Learn the lingo, hear comments regarding startup strategy, learn about entrepreneurial financing options, and get presentation tips from the investor feedback. RSVP to attend HERE.

Innovation Fridays
11 a.m.–1 p.m., 2518 Van Munching Hall
Meet with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence for an informal session to receive valuable feedback on your business idea. No suits or business plans required. All you need is an idea.

Friday, November 22 – Sunday, November 24
College Park Sustainability Jam
2333 Van Munching Hall

Join the Center for Social Value Creation for  the 2nd annual College Park Sustainability Jam (CPSJ) – a weekend long engagement aimed at creating new, real-world ideas to promote and advance sustainability. The purpose of the Jam is to learn about design thinking, build new ideas, explore our understanding of sustainability, meet cool people, work hard, and HAVE FUN! The end result is a set of “workable prototypes” that will be uploaded to an international shared database. Activities will run roughly 5-8 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m-6 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m-3 p.m. on Sunday. Register at http://ter.ps/3yp  

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Worth Reading 8/30/13

It was an exciting week for The Dingman Center. We are thrilled to see MBA students coming back to campus for the start of another great academic year. A highlight from the week was Wednesday when the first year MBA students hosted MBA Marketplace, a fundraising competition to test out students’ creativity. Staff had fun using monopoly money to shop at the Marketplace. We also welcomed a new Dingman team member, Adam Van Wagner. Adam is our Community and Venture Programs Coordinator so many of you hear from him via email. When you’re in the office stop by and say hello.

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Let’s check out what’s worth reading for this week:

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