Entrepreneurs from Maryland, the District of Columbia and
Northern Virginia, who have completed a first draft of their business plan, are qualified
to apply for a mentor from The
Dingman Center. Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs, service providers, and faculty
members with expertise in nearly all areas of interest. There is a modest charge of
$45/hour for this service and a one time $25 application fee. Checks can be made payable
to the Dingman Center. Please remember that individuals without a business plan will
not be considered. Mentors lend advice on various business problems and issues including:
- Accounting
- Compensation / Staffing
- Financing / Financial Planning
- Government Contracting
- International Business
- Joint Venturing
- Legal / Management Issues
- Marketing / Sales
- Strategic Planning
Mentors provide assistance in
many ways: advising, providing introductions to business contacts, and focusing the
entrepreneur on the key problems facing his/her business. The specific needs of each
entrepreneur are matched with the skills of the mentors.
More Information:
- The Facts on the Mentor Program
- Mentor Program Policies
- I Want To Be a Mentor! (SIGN UP TO BE
A MENTOR. . .)
- I Need a Mentor! (REQUEST
MENTOR SERVICES. .
.)
- Contact The Dingman
Center (dingman@rhsmith.umd.edu)
- The
Dingman Center For Entrepreneurship
The
Mentors
The mentor program
offers entrepreneurs a low-cost opportunity to receive guidance from one
or more of the Dingman Center's large (more than 150) cadre of mentors.
This group represents a broad range of skills and technical backgrounds
with one common attribute: experience. Our mentors average over 20 years
of business experience in aerospace, biotechnology, chemicals,
electronics, food services, franchising, manufacturing, software,
telecommunications and other fields.
They are presidents, CEOs, managing partners and business founders,
attorneys, accountants, and consultants. The size of our mentor corps and
the breadth of experience allows us to tailor our mentor selections to the
needs, business maturity, and industry of each entrepreneur. These
business people have traveled the path from start-up to success and are
eager to share their experiences with early-stage entrepreneurs.
download
Mentor Profile ~ Word doc, 45K
...if
you are interested in becoming a Mentor
Applying
for Mentor Services
Small Maryland, DC, and Virginia area firms are eligible for assistance.
To be accepted into the program, the entrepreneur must demonstrate a
desire and a specific plan to build a company with significant revenues
and which will create a significant number of jobs. The entrepreneur must
submit an application and business plan executive summary. In exceptional
cases, mature companies are also eligible.
download
Request for Mentor Services ~ Word doc, 48K
...if
you are a "Mentee" in search of a Mentor
Cost
The mentors volunteer their time and receive no compensation for their
services. A nominal fee is charged by the Dingman Center to defray the
costs of administering the program: $45 per hour ($35 for University of
Maryland System incubator companies; FREE for full-time undergraduate and
graduate University of Maryland System students).
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