Popular 1 Million Cups Launching in Columbus

Popular 1 Million Cups Launching in Columbus

1 Million Cups Bringing Pitching Model to Columbus

There is no metric that measures how much is accomplished in the entrepreneurial world over “just” a cup of coffee. But anyone in this business knows it’s a lot.

That’s the idea behind 1 Million Cups (1MC), a free, national grassroots program founded by the Kauffman Foundation to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the county. 1MC is grassroots, organized by local volunteers, and operates weekly in coffee shops, co-working spaces, and other community locations in 180 communities across 40+ states.

And now, on Wednesday, July 11, we bring 1 Million Cups to the Columbus community as our city kicks off our inaugural 1 Million Cups event.

How 1 Million Cups Works

Think of 1 Million Cups as an inclusive and supportive front door to Columbus’ local entrepreneurial ecosystem. In each 1 Million Cups city, local, volunteer entrepreneurs organize and drive the program.*

The program model is consistent in each city. Every Wednesday morning (Columbus’ 1MC will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Rev1 Ventures) early-stage companies present their pitch to an audience of mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.

Columbus’ inaugural 1 Million Cups will feature a presentation by Alex Frommeyer, founder and CEO of Beam Dental, a dental and ancillary benefits company that recently closed a $23 million Series C round.

A different entrepreneur will present every week. It’s a terrific opportunity to engage with and receive free advice and feedback from a diverse audience, with the potential to receive local, regional, and/or national media coverage. Here’s how to apply.

So, whether you favor robusta, decaf, or a simple cup of green tea, 1 Million Cups is a great way to take Columbus’ Backyard Effect to the next level, connecting with other entrepreneurs, potential funders, mentors, and to the broader business community. This is a fun and educational grassroots gathering that creates purposeful relationships and opportunities.