University System of Maryland
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Objective:
To identify, acknowledge and celebrate the entrepreneurial contributions
of USM's faculty and staff to the Maryland business community and economy.
Benefits:
There are
several potential benefits to the USM from establishing this award:
-
Symbolize
the University System of Maryland's support of entrepreneurs and their
potential to drive innovation, transform economies, and change communities
-
Encourage
and recognize the translation of research into a business ventures
-
Inspire
potential entrepreneurs
-
Leverage
engagement of the investment and venture capital community in the USM's
research and commercialization initiatives.
-
Promote
the University System of Maryland's involvement in the corporate community and
with the State of Maryland
Award:
The annual
Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be recognized by the USM Board of Regents in
a formal ceremony and public event. The recipient(s) will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a commemorative plaque.
Eligibility:
The applicant for this award must be a full-time faculty or
staff of a University System of Maryland institution, who has been
primarily responsible for the launch of a new venture start-up or a social
enterprise within the last three years.
The venture must be a viable enterprise that has received a significant
amount of funding either through earned revenue, grants, and/or debt/equity
financing. The applicant should be able to demonstrate potential with a
sustainable business model and impact on the Maryland community and
economy.
Application:
Click here to download the application. Applications should not
exceed five pages exclusive of the required internal letter(s) of endorsement
or optional external letters, which should be sent directly from the endorser
to award@usmd.edu in support of the nominee's
qualifications:
-
Required: An internal endorsement letter (not to
exceed two pages) from appropriate
senior ranking administrator (i.e., provost, dean, vice president or president)
- Optional: External endorsement letters from regional
and national leaders in business, not-for-profit organizations, and/or
government agencies (not to exceed 2 pages per letter; 3 letters maximum)
Note: the closing date for
applications is October 30, 2012. Please e-mail completed application
or questions to award@usmd.edu.
Criteria for
Nominee Selection
- Innovation
- Nominee's Commitment / Scope of Responsibilities
- Entrepreneurial Risk (Degree of Difficulty)
- Business Feasibility
- Financial Performance
- Local and Regional Impact
- Leadership and Personal Integrity