Do you run your own business?  Tell your story to one of UM’s most successful entrepreneurs—Kevin Plank, Founder and CEO of Under Armour. If you convince Kevin that you are the best, in addition to a great connection to this great entrepreneur, you will take home the Cupid’s Cup, an annual award to the best UM student/alumni entrepreneur, and $15K in cash!

Second place award is $7,500, People's Choice Award is $2,500.

Application deadline: February 26, 2010

Contestant Eligibility (UPDATED)

Eligible contestants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the University of Maryland System. Alumni of the University of Maryland, graduating with an undergraduate or graduate degree between May 2000 and December 2009 are also eligible for the competition.

Must be a University of Maryland current student or recent alumni (graduated in 2000 or later).

All entrants must have an operating company that has generated at least $5,000 in revenue prior to the date of entry OR have won funding through a University of Maryland-sponsored business competition.

Company must be no more than 5 years old.

Company must have acquired no more than $5 million in prior financing.

Students who have won funding through the monthly Pitch Dingman Competition  and who are actively pursuing the business that won the Pitch Dingman competition are eligible.

The judges reserve the right to disqualify entries.

Application Package:

Application process is very easy! Application package must include only 2 items: 2-page Executive Summary and 1-page Contact Sheet. Entries will be accepted in electronic format sent to acorey@rhsmith.umd.edu by COB February 26, 2010. You may use Microsoft Word for Windows or PDF for your file format.

1. Executive Summary

The judges will use the executive summary to narrow the finalists. The executive summary should begin with an "elevator pitch" one paragraph about the company, the value to the target market, and the competitive situation. It should then include very short summaries of the marketing, introduction, and implementation plan, as well as the financial plan.  The executive summary for this competition should be 2 pages in length. No attachments of any kind beyond this number of pages (plus contact sheet) are allowed.

2. Contact sheet and proof of eligibility to include:

Business or company name/title:

Names and affiliations of all business partners:

Date of incorporation:

Revenues generated to date:

Last fiscal years revenues:

Financial funding to date:

Proof of eligibility:

State degree received and year for alumni

State degree pursued and expected graduation date for students

UID

Business mailing address:

Primary contact name:

Primary contact phone number:

Primary contact E-mail address:

Secondary contact name:

Secondary contact phone number:

Secondary contact E-mail address:

Deadline
Entries are due by COB February 26, 2010. Entries received after this date will not be considered. Upon receipt of your e-mail message you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

Questions? Please call or email Alla Corey at acorey@rhsmith.umd.edu or 301.405.9511

More information at www.CupidsCup.com

Alla Corey

Program Manager

Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

Robert H. Smith School of Business

3570 Van Munching Hall

University of Maryland

College Park, MD 20742-1815

301.405.9511 TEL

301.314.7973 FAX

acorey@rhsmith.umd.edu

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman