Grand Island launches '1 Million Cups' to connect local entrepreneurs

The City of Grand Island will soon be the newest home of a national program to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs.

Founded by the Kauffman Foundation, "1 Million Cups" is based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. The free and weekly gathering helps build startup communities on a grassroots level.

Starting Oct. 30, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend weekly Wednesday meetings from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center, at 407 W. Third St.

Every Wednesday, one or two early-stage startups will present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers and other entrepreneurs. Each founder will present for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session.

The inaugural 1 Million Cups in Grand Island will feature presentations by Housr, which streamlines the process of finding housing for students. In each participating city, local entrepreneurs will drive the program as community organizers.

Volunteering for the leadership roles in Grand Island are: Becky Rother, Grand Island Area Economic Development Corp.; Marcy Thompson, Exact Figures Accounting; Alex Hamann, Conservation Nebraska; Elijah Landell, Rising Tide Leadership Development; Aimiee Steinhardt, CCC Entrepreneurship Center; and Jon Rhoades, Login.Health

"1 Million Cups is an incredible opportunity for Grand Island to come together and foster the entrepreneurial spirit," Thompson said. "We're excited to create a space where innovators can share their ideas, learn from each other and build meaningful connections that will drive our community forward."

You can view the national website at www.1millioncups.com

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful. The Kauffman Foundation is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and uses its $2 billion in assets to collaboratively help people be self-sufficient, productive citizens.