 The Maryland International Incubator helps foreign high–tech businesses establish operations in the state of Maryland, with the goal of spurring economic growth, foreign investment and job creation. The incubator, a joint program of the Clark School’s Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) and the Maryland Department of Economic Development (DBED), hosts seven clients in offices adjacent to the College Park campus, with more clients in the pipeline. The incubator’s largest client is itself an incubator—the University of Maryland/China Research Park—created by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology to help Chinese companies expand internationally. The UM-China Research Park is the only one of its kind in the United States and one of only five in the world.
 The Maryland Intellectual Property Legal Resource Center (MIPLRC) offers entrepreneurs free legal services concerning intellectual property and related matters and explores relevant legal, ethical and policy issues. The center is a joint initiative of the University of Maryland School of Law, DBED and now Mtech, and has moved from Baltimore to Mtech’s Technology Advancement Program facility. The center’s legal services will be available at no charge to university faculty and students, as well as to regional entrepreneurs and startup companies. Pictured right: Patricia Campbell, MIPLRC director.
 In the fall of 2010, the new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program, launched by Mtech as part of the university’s new Honors College, will provide a living-learning experience for all academically talented University of Maryland freshmen and sophomores interested in starting their own companies. Through experiential learning, dynamic courses, seminars, workshops, competitions and volunteerism, students will receive a world-class education in entrepreneurship and innovation. In collaboration with faculty members and mentors who have successfully launched new ventures, student teams will develop an innovative idea and write a product plan. Students can also compete in the university's $75K Business Plan Competition, apply for a share of the $250,000 Mtech Impact Seed Fund and volunteer through program-managed activities.
 Mtech and the Office of Advanced Engineering Education are jointly offering a new, four-course Graduate Certificate in Engineering in Technology Ventures and Innovation. The certificate program’s courses give technologists a firm grasp of the entrepreneurial process so they can launch successful ventures and bring products and services to the commercial sector. The program guides entrepreneurial engineers, scientists and technologists through the challenges, best practices and tactics of successful venture-building.
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