Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Network

Vision

The Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Network (CEN) will be the most exciting and rewarding club on the University of Maryland campus. It will count among its members the next generation of successful entrepreneurs that will form companies that change the way we live. Our members will bring prestige and glory to the Robert H. Smith School of Business through their innovation and success.

Mission

The mission of the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Network, hereafter referred to as the Network, is to develop future leaders who will make high-tech ventures successful and change the world we live in. To reach its mission of developing future leaders the Network will offer stimulating programs that inspire and coach new generations of entrepreneurs from all parts of the University of Maryland campus.

Values

Our Network is unique among student organizations at Maryland in that our interests lie in all career tracks. The common thread that binds us is a burning desire to lead, build, and innovate. All members must sign the Confidentiality Agreement in order to foster an environment conducive to idea-sharing.

Goals

The Network will be the most well-known club on the University of Maryland campus within it’s first year of existence. Our greatest assets are our members and thus all activities are exclusively focused on the personal and intellectual growth of our budding entrepreneurs. Each month the Network will hold four meeting one of which must be an Event/Activity other than the general body meetings. This can include think-tank sessions, speaker events, field trips to local entrepreneurial businesses, prepared presentations by a member on a topic of interest to all, community service activities, business plan reviews, or end of semester member recognition ceremonies.

During the early semester months when exam burdens are still low, more Event/Activity meetings are encouraged. The general body meetings will serve as a platform for members to get to know each other and each other’s ideas in an informal setting. Resources allowed drinks and snacks will be made available to simulate an actual professional networking event. This will allow our members who come form a diverse set of majors to develop their personal skills so that they feel more confident approaching other entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in a networking session off-campus.

Strategy

We meet each week on Tuesday in Van Munching Hall, from 5:00 to 5:30pm. These meetings are primarily a forum for presenting ideas. Usually a 10-minute prepared presentation is followed by a 20-minute period of discussion, questioning, and suggestions from the audience. Members may also feel free to arrange time to present their own material to the crowd.

Networking is a major function of our meetings. Members may meet and pool their resources or experiences to launch or expand on ideas. You will find your aspiration for entrepreneurship shared by many that are eager to lend support and to help. The Club also serves as a resource for young start-up companies recruiting students through the resume book and internship listings in the monthly E-Perspective. The Dingman Center will serve as the arch-umbrella of the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Network. Aside from providing advice to new entrepreneurs, the Dingman Center can also be a source of jointly sponsored events for the Network.

For more information or to join contact Jonathan Asher Swerdlin, swerdlin@wam.umd.edu.