Lakeland soon will 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, weekly gathering helps build startup communities on a grassroots level.
Beginning August 21, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and other interested community members are invited to attend each Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Catapult Lakeland, located in the basement of the Bank of America building (331 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL).
The program’s model is consistent in each city: Every Wednesday morning, one or two early-stage startups 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.
In each 1 Million Cups city, local entrepreneurs drive the program as community organizers. Volunteering for the leadership roles in Lakeland are:
- Ginny Sigle, Boring Business Systems;
- Robert Blacklidge, Catapult Lakeland;
- Christina Graham, Catapult Lakeland;
- Christin Strawbridge, Catapult Lakeland;
- David Befus, Central Florida SCORE
- Chris McCray, Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida;
- Melissa Kulp, Florida Southern College;
- Garrett Secor, Florida Southern College; and
- Sarah Breed, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.
View the national website at www.1millioncups.com and access the Lakeland microsite at www.1millioncups.com/lakeland
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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 and connect with us at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn.