Texas Tech University is helping to bring the national 1 Million Cups entrepreneurial network to the Lubbock business community.
The 1 Million Cups format is consistent in each of its 84 locations across the country. On Wednesday mornings, one or two early-stage startup companies present their company to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators and advisers, according to the organization’s website. Each presentation lasts six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience, and each startup then receives feedback through a survey.
The free community event was initiated by Texas Tech, but local business owners will lead the group and organize weekly events, according to organizer Jennifer Horn, director of translational research and entrepreneurialism in the Texas Tech Office of the Vice President for Research.
“1 Million Cups is a supportive, neutral space welcoming entrepreneurs to be open and honest about their businesses and the challenges they face,” Horn said. “Each session always ends with the question, ‘What can we as a community do for you?’”
The inaugural Lubbock event begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday (Feb. 24) at the Texas Tech Innovation Hub and Research Park, 3911 4th St. Subsequent events will occur from 9-10 a.m. each Wednesday at the Innovation Hub. Coffee will be provided by local coffee shops, and attendees are invited to stay after the event to network.
About 1 Million Cups
1 Million Cups is an educational program developed by the Kaufmann Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, which helps entrepreneurs build a supportive network of like-minded individuals. The closest cities with 1 Million Cups chapters are Dallas; Fort Worth; San Antonio; Oklahoma City; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Press Release from Texas Tech University)