For Smith students and budding business school entrepreneurs across the country, it’s that time of year again.
Kevin Plank, Under Armour’s founder and CEO, will partner with his alma mater, The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business to host Cupid’s Cup—Smith’s Entrepreneurial Business Competition. Plank, ’96, will welcome six finalists and a panel of celebrity judges on April 22, 2015. There’s more than $100,000 on the line, and access to the CEO’s professional network.
Last year, Disease Diagnostic Group, which makes inexpensive handheld devices that can diagnose malaria in one minute, was named the winner of the 2014 Cupid’s Cup Business Competition. Unlike most Cupid Cup Finals, last year’s competition had a last-minute twist involved: Disease Diagnostic Group’s founder accepted Plank’s offer of an additional $25,000 in exchange for equity to be held by Plank’s Cupid Foundation, bringing the company’s grand prize winnings to $100,000.
Plank started the competition a decade ago with the Dingman Center to foster interest in student entrepreneurship. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate-level students at accredited U.S. colleges and universities, and recent graduates of these institutions. Registration for the 10th Annual Cupid’s Cup is open, and students can register on Tuesday in Van Munching Hall or immediately online at www.cupidscup.umd.edu.