Free program developed by the Kauffman Foundation helps build startup communities nationwide
Miami, Nov 9, 2018 – The Idea Center at Miami Dade College (MDC) will be the newest home to a national program which aims to engage, educate and connect local entrepreneurs. Founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups, encourages entrepreneurs to connect and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. The free, bi-weekly gathering in Miami will help build startup communities at a grassroots level.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 14, entrepreneurs, innovators, not-for-profits and other interested community members are invited to attend the event on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 8:30 – 10 a.m., at The Idea Center. The kickoff gathering will take place at The Idea Center at MDC (300 N.E Second Avenue, Bldg. 8, 5th Floor).
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are key to the growth of our Miami entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Pamela Santos, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programs at The Idea Center at MDC. “We are committed to facilitate collaboration and more spaces to grow. This is an excellent opportunity to connect Miami entrepreneurs to each other”.
The program’s model is consistent in each city. On Wednesday mornings, two early-stage startups present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers and entrepreneurs. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience. In each 1 Million Cups city, local entrepreneurs drive the program as community organizers. #1MCMiami will be organized by the Idea Center and a group of community partners including Radical Partners, Refresh Miami, Space called Tribe, and WIN Lab. The gathering is sponsored by the Knight Foundation.
To learn more about 1 Million Cups, please visit www.1millioncups.com. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply at www.1millioncups.com/miami
For more information, please contact Pamela Santos, 305-237-7823, psantos1@mdc.edu
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About the Idea Center @MDC
The Idea Center is the college’s hub of innovation, the place where students from all disciplines can gather, collaborate and take advantage of resources and training to develop their entrepreneurial ideas. Through cutting-edge entrepreneurship education, professional development and experiential learning, students and community members can acquire the tools needed to identify challenges and develop solutions. For more information, visit www.theideacenter.co
About the Kauffman Foundation
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. For more information, visit www.kaufman.org