The University of Maryland's leading Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced the launch of the 2010 China Business Plan Competition, in partnership with the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University in Beijing. Students from both universities have the unique opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and collaborate to come up with business ideas working virtually across continents, then compete together in China for prize money.

"We're providing Smith students the chance to collaborate and innovate with their counterparts in China, an invaluable opportunity that will help propel both groups to lead globally," said G. "Anand" Anandalingam, dean of the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. "In this increasingly fast-paced global economy, business leaders - whether running their own ventures or steering established organizations - need to know how to lead entrepreneurial teams to take advantage of new opportunities."

Teams of three to five MBA students from both schools will present their business ideas before a panel of expert judges in Beijing, China on January 15, 2010, and compete for $10,000 in cash prizes. The competition will cap an integrated entrepreneurship course offered by the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business that will have students exploring entrepreneurship and collaborating with MBA students from Chinese universities. The course will draw from the Dingman Center's experience assisting early-stage companies to guide participants through the steps of developing a business plan.

In January, the Smith students will travel to China on a Dingman Center delegation to meet their teammates and peers face-to-face and participate together in the final round competition and awards ceremony hosted at the Peking University campus in Beijing. The competition, now in its fifth year, will serve as the highlight weeklong business and cultural exploration of China.

"Though entrepreneurs in China and U.S. face different challenges, the experience of starting and growing a business is very similar," said Asher Epstein, managing director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. "Our students are learning the universal elements of entrepreneurship and innovation -- a solid business plan, a strong team, and a viable market - apply no matter where you start a business. And they are learning to collaborate globally, a crucial skill in today's business world."

Epstein was in China to officially kick-off the competition at Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. He delivered workshops to introduce the competition to Chinese university students.

This is the fifth China Business Plan Competition held by Smith School's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, in support of the growth of world-class business ideas and business leaders in China. Entrepreneurship is a key area of focus for the Smith School, which is internationally known for its entrepreneurship research and programs. The school was recently ranked No. 11 in the United States for entrepreneurship by the U.S. News & World Report college ranking report, "America's Best Colleges 2010," which evaluates undergraduate business programs.

About the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

The Dingman Center has been a hub of campus and regional entrepreneurial activity for more than 20 years. Among the Dingman Center's resources are its Capital Access Network (CAN), a pipeline that connects startups from regional tech councils, incubators and state-funded institutions with a network of more than 32 active, accredited angel investors and venture capitalists for early-stage capital. The Center also helps lead the University of Maryland's Technology transfer programs and provides MBA and undergraduate students at the Smith School with practical experiences and opportunities to pitch their business ideas, obtain feedback from experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence and access funding.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Carrie Handwerker
301-405-5833