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 Solypsis Co-Founder Warren Citrin established a new, $250,000 Impact Pre-Seed Fund for socially responsible companies founded by students in the Hinman CEOs and Hillman Entrepreneurs programs. The fund offers grants, in $500 to $5,000 increments, to students who present business plans for new companies that benefit society. Seed Fund Grants of $2,000 to $5,000 are awarded to thoroughly researched, well-developed plans, while Opportunity Assessment Grants of $500 to $1,000 are given to promising ideas that require further research to assess the opportunity.
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 The Center for Advanced Transportation Technology (CATT) is working to implement an Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) System along the I-270 Corridor within Montgomery County, Md., as part of a U.S. Department of Transportation initiative. The goal of ICM is to actively manage all transportation infrastructure and assets in a corridor, such as freeway, arterial, bus, and rail systems, as a single transportation system, as opposed to the more traditional approach of managing each system separately. CATT has received an initial $117,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maryland State Highway Administration to participate in the initial development stages of ICM. Ultimately, up to four pioneer sites may be selected to deploy ICM within their respective corridors. A total of $10 million will be available for deployment and evaluation of the systems.
 The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) undergraduate program now offers instruction and hands-on research experience in six specialized mechanical engineering disciplines, called Career Paths. Students may choose any of these six concentrations to customize their curriculum and focus on the aspects of mechanical engineering that interest them most. Outside of class, a series of presentations by faculty and industry is offered to help with professional development. ME Career Paths include: Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing; Controls, Sensors, and Electronic Packaging; Energy and the Environment; Engineering Management; General Mechanical Engineering; and MEMS and Microfabrication Technologies.
 Through its Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) unit, the Clark School, in conjunction with the Robert H. Smith School of Business, launched a joint Certificate in Innovation Management Program. The program is a five-module series that focuses on specific aspects of business and innovation. The program is designed for entrepreneurs, small-business owners and executives in corporate venturing.
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 The Maryland Technology Extension Service (MTES), a component of MTECH, launched a new radio-frequency identification (RFID) assessment program for a limited number of Maryland companies. MTES offers the selected companies on-site RFID assessments at no cost. Assessments start with a review of a company's productivity or security-related issues. Possible RFID solutions are then studied, after which a report is provided including potential costs and return on investment.
 MTECH’s VentureAccelerator Program and Technology Advancement Program (TAP) began hosting free office hours for entrepreneurs. The collaborative effort also includes representatives from the Office of Technology Commercialization, the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, the Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center, experienced entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. TAP also launched open office hours for regional entrepreneurs. Open office hours are designed to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive advice on how to build and finance a startup company, develop and protect intellectual property, understand the technology transfer process, brainstorm business strategies, and tap into other entrepreneurial resources.
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