Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship (UMD)

UMD's hub for student founders, pitch competitions and angel investment

University / ResearchSuburban Maryland

About Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship (UMD)

What it is

The Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship sits within the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in College Park. Its stated aim is to educate, empower and equip students with the business skills needed to be an entrepreneur and to provide resources that help turn business ideas into real ventures. The center traces its origin to a 1986 meeting in which businessman and philanthropist Michael Dingman pledged support to a proposal from Rudolph "Rudy" Lamone, then acting dean of the Smith School, and it describes itself as one of the first entrepreneurship centers in the country.

What it offers founders

Dingman Advising: one on one sessions, in person or virtual, with legal, industry, accounting and strategy advisors and experienced entrepreneurs. No business plan is needed, just an idea.
Pitch Dingman Competition: an annual competition open to UMD students of any major, with a fall Idea Track and spring Quattrone Tech and Main Street tracks, plus bootcamps and pitch training.
E-Fund: non-dilutive seed grants of $250 to $1,000 for costs such as equipment, hosting, prototyping and incorporation fees.
New Venture Practicum: a permission-only, three credit spring course for undergraduates with a validated idea, ending with a pitch for seed funding.
Terp Marketplace and the Stewart and Dugal Impact Summer Fellowships, which let students test products with the UMD community or intern at startups with matching funds.

The center is also affiliated with Dingman Center Angels, a Maryland based angel group whose members invest individually in early stage, mostly mid-Atlantic companies.

Who it is for

Most programs serve University of Maryland students at any venture stage, from an early idea to an operating business. Dingman Advising is open to UMD students, staff, faculty and alumni, and you do not need to be a Smith School student. Dingman Center Angels is open to outside companies that meet its investment criteria, with a preference for Maryland, DC, Virginia or Delaware.

How to engage

Start with the Dingman Portal, where you register, apply and browse resources. Program details are listed on the Initiatives and Programs page, and competition rules, tracks and deadlines are on the Pitch Dingman Competition page. The center is based in Van Munching Hall, and the team can be reached at rhsmith-dingman@umd.edu or 301-405-9545.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

For student and alumni founders at Maryland's flagship campus, the center combines free advising, prize money, small grants and access to a regional angel network in one place. Its angel group reports more than 200 transactions since 2005, giving companies in the region a route to early stage capital through Dingman Center Angels.

Programs

Dingman Advising
One on one sessions with advisors, staff and faculty, including legal, industry, accounting and strategy experts, to refine ideas and plan next steps. Open to UMD students, staff, faculty and alumni, in person or virtually.
Pitch Dingman Competition
Annual student pitch competition with a fall Idea Track and spring Quattrone Tech and Main Street tracks, offering cash prizes plus bootcamps and pitch coaching.
Dingman Center Angels
Maryland based angel investor group affiliated with the center that hears pitches from early stage, mostly mid-Atlantic companies at monthly meetings. Members typically invest $100K to $250K per company.
New Venture Practicum
Permission-only, three credit spring course for undergraduates with a validated idea who test business models and go to market strategies and pitch for seed funding.
Terp Marketplace
Lets students test the market by selling products or services to the UMD community.
Stewart and Dugal Impact Summer Fellowships
Summer fellowships that place students in internships at startups, with matching funds from the center.

Who it serves

University of Maryland students, alumni, staff and faculty building ventures at any stage, plus early stage mid-Atlantic companies seeking angel investment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a Smith School student to use the center?

No. Dingman Advising is open to all UMD students, staff, faculty and alumni, and the Pitch Dingman Competition accepts UMD students from any college or major.

How do I book an advising session?

Register through the Dingman Portal at dingman.umd.edu. Sessions are offered in person and virtually, and you only need an idea, not a business plan.

Who can enter Pitch Dingman and what are the prizes?

UMD students can enter, and teams must be at least half Terp by leadership or equity. For 2026 to 2027, spring grand prizes are $25,000 in the Quattrone Tech Track and $15,000 in the Main Street Track, and the fall Idea Track awards Best in Show $4,500.

Can a company outside UMD pitch Dingman Center Angels?

Yes. Companies apply on a rolling basis through Gust. Criteria include a mid-Atlantic location, a developed product with revenue, and a raise of $100K to $1M, or more with a lead investor.

Where is the center located?

2518 Van Munching Hall, College Park, MD 20742. Contact rhsmith-dingman@umd.edu or 301-405-9545.