Texas State aims to boost entrepreneurship with 1 Million Cups

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Texas State University is supporting the 1 Million Cups program to foster local startups.

Founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups is based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. The program helps build startup communities on a grassroots level by encouraging entrepreneurs to share ideas in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

Entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend free networking events on the last Wednesday of each month from 9-10 a.m. The program will meet virtually until COVID-19 conditions improve to safely allow in-person gatherings. Anyone interested in joining is invited to register at www.1millioncups.com/greatersmtx.

At each meeting, two early-stage startups will present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers and other entrepreneurs. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience. Businesses interested in participating as presenters may apply at www.1millioncups.com/present.

The 1 Million Cups program is driven by community leaders in each participating city. In addition to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, local partners on the organizing team for 1 Million Cups Greater SMTX include volunteers from Modern Tribez Events, the city of San Marcos, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce and Splash Coworking Greater San Marcos Partnership.

“We are excited to bring this resource for entrepreneurs to the Greater San Marcos Texas community,” said Greater San Marcos Partnership’s Barbara Thomason, who is serving as a community organizer for the program. “We look forward to engaging entrepreneurs in the area and helping them grow and thrive.”

For more information about the national program visit www.1millioncups.com or view the1MC-Greater SMTX page at www.1millioncups.com/greatersmtx. Connect on Facebook and Twitter @1MCGreaterSMTX. 

About the Ewing Marion 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. 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. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org.