1 Million Cups presenters have shot at $10K
July 1, 2015 | Bobby Burch
One of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s most popular programs, 1 Million Cups, will soon be offering entrepreneurs more than its typical morning refreshments.
Program leaders announced Wednesday that it’s launching the “One in a Million” competition, in which former presenters in the program could snag $10,000.
Now in more than 70 cities worldwide, 1 Million Cups invites two startup founders each week to present their companies over coffee or tea and then respond to questions or comments from the audience.
“This competition is really great for entrepreneurs and for more awareness of the program,” said Courtney Chapman, a co-organizer of the weekly event. “It’s really amazing that we have this network of people in 1 Million Cups. Each program around the country is a little bit different, but each still has the same goal of fostering entrepreneurship and making their communities better for entrepreneurship. ”
Presenters from all the U.S. cities in which 1 Million Cups operates are eligible for the competition, culminating in Kansas City during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. Finalists in the contest will also receive pitch coaching and other mentorship.
To be eligible, an entrepreneur must have presented at 1 Million Cups before Aug. 2, and have a scalable company located in the U.S. The winner of One in a Million will receive $10,000, while second place earns $5,000 and third $1,000.
Featured Business

2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Midwest-made crossover artist charts solo success that eluded him when he was young
Sebastian James assumed until recently that his music career had already peaked, the hometown hit-maker shared. In 2011, the 18-year-old Riverside native and Park Hill South graduate started touring the country as the drummer for the Nigel Dupree Band, opening for bands like Korn and Stone Temple Pilots. But this year, at 30, he launched…
Early childhood isn’t a money maker, but can be a money breaker: ECJC initiative links lack of child care to business’ bottom lines
Access to safe and affordable child care is an issue that should concern everyone, Judy Bumpus acknowledged. Research indicates the current capacity to provide child care within the Kansas City metro is only 45 percent, according to the director of client services for the Kansas City Women’s Business Center, with 80,000 children still needing childcare…
KC Black Owned’s fall summit returns this weekend with corporate backing, tools for Black entrepreneurs
A summit planned for Saturday at the Kansas City Convention Center aims to inspire Black business owners and equip them with the resources, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. The Global Strategies Summit for Market Innovators — organized by KC Black Owned — is deeply rooted in its founder’s drive to…
This Midtown pizza shop sliced through challenges, topping years of popup work with grand opening
Orange By: Devoured — the flagship pizza shop from Jhy Coulter — is finally ready for the public, she said, after enduring years of pop-ups to keep the dream alive, renovations, and the closure of business lending platform Mainvest that took founders by surprise. “I am tired — I’m exhausted,” Coulter said with a laugh,…

