The Pitch Dingman Competition is UMD’s premier annual venture competition, where undergraduate and graduate Terps compete for more than $150,000 in startup funding!
Fall: Luby Idea Track
Have an idea for a business or making progress on an early stage venture? Give it a shot in the Luby Idea Track! For current students only. Applications (questions + super short video) are open during October, with training and mentoring opportunities to refine your idea and boost your entrepreneurial skills. Let's have fun and see where this idea can go!
Want to put your best foot forward on your application? We're here to help.
As part of the Luby Idea Track application period this October, applicants are invited to hear from experienced entrepreneurs and ask all the questions. These bootcamp sessions will give you a boost in applying, and improve your entrepreneurial skills! (Attending one of these live will also earn you the Training Badge on the application to show the judges your commitment *wink wink*)
🔎 How to Conduct Customer Discovery
with Evan Shubin, serial founder, COO and investor
Learn more about today's speaker here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanshubin/
This event already happened, but you can view the recording here!
😬 Is My Idea Any Good?: Turning Data into Actionable Insights
with Anne Spear, founder of Plan Forward and winner of PDC Alumni Tech Track 2025
Learn more about today's speaker here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspear-phd/
This event already happened, but you can view the recording here! She also would like to share this article with you.
💬 Last Minute Advising Sessions
Oct 27-30 between 4-6pm (virtual-book here), or at Dingman Advising on Oct 30 between 4-6pm (in person)
Meet virtually with alumni and past competitors to refine your idea, get expert tips, and earn the Mentored Badge.
What are badges? *new this year*
Applicants in the Fall can demonstrate their commitment to learning by earning virtual badges. These badges are gained by attending the training and/or advising sessions listed above, and will be shared with the judges. They do not affect your score, but are there to 1. improve your application before submitting, and 2. show the judges you mean business.
Spring: Main Street, Quattrone Tech, Alumni Main and Alumni Tech Tracks
Been working on a venture and want to accelerate your growth? Compete in the more advanced Main Street and Tech Tracks! For alumni and current students. Applications open in January, with the main event in late Spring. Top student entrepreneurs deliver pitches to judges who are experts in entrepreneurship, angel investing and venture capital. In addition to the opportunities for seed funding, competition participants gain access to exclusive workshops and mentoring.
Applicants will be evaluated on the uniqueness of their ideas, the current traction and scalability of their business, and the viability of their business as measured by the steps that they have taken to mitigate risks. For the final rounds, judges will also take into consideration the contestants' progress toward their goals and steps taken to grow their business since time of application.
Check out the website for a complete list of tracks, dates, and prizes.
General Information
How to Enter: You must submit an application by the deadline for your track to enter Pitch Dingman Competition. There is no application fee. Ventures are eligible to compete in only one track each semester. Nonprofits are also eligible, if at least 50% of revenue is earned from the sale of goods and services.
Eligibility in brief - Student Tracks - Quattrone Tech, Main Street & Luby Idea: All current University of Maryland - College Park students, both graduate and undergraduate, are welcome to apply. UMD-CP at Shady Grove students, and students who graduated last December or January are also eligible to compete. Applicant teams must be composed of at least 50% UMD-CP students. Those students must be founders of the venture and currently serving in management roles. Ventures of any industry are welcome. Each application must have a single submitter, the "Team Lead"; an applicant can only serve as Team Lead for one application per semester.
Eligibility in brief - Alumni Tracks - Alumni Main Street and Alumni Tech: All University of Maryland - College Park alumni, both graduate and undergraduate, are welcome to apply. UMD-CP at Shady Grove students, and students who graduated last December or January are also eligible to compete. Applicant teams must be composed of at least 50% UMD-CP students. Those students must be founders of the venture and currently serving in management roles. Ventures of any industry are welcome. Each application must have a single submitter, the "Team Lead"; an applicant can only serve as Team Lead for one application per semester.
Key Dates
Fall - Luby Idea Track
Applications open: October 10 at 10 a.m.
Training Period: October 10-31
Application deadline: October 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Idea Showcase & Awards Ceremony: November 18
Spring - All Advanced Tracks
Quattrone Tech, Main Street, Alumni Tech & Alumni Main Street Tracks
Applications open: January 20 at 1 a.m.
Application deadline: February 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Round 1 Announced: March 6
Next Round Bootcamp: March 10-26
Alumni Tech & Alumni Main Street Round 2 Semifinals: March 26
Quattrone Tech & Main Street Tracks Round 2 Semifinals Deadline (virtual): April 3
Finals Prep Bootcamp & Pitch Practice: April 8-23
Finals Day – Terp Town Showcase, Finals Competition & Awards Ceremony: April 29 at Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center