1 Million Cups Welcomes Eight Arizona State University Entrepreneurs back to Arizona to Pitch to the Community
Co-Author Courteney Real
PHOENIX, Ariz. — 1 Million Cups Phoenix (1MCPHX) seeks to empower the community through connecting all entrepreneurs to the startup community. 1MCPHX was developed by the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO in April 2014 based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee. 1 Million Cups is a free program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs with their communities. This year we are excited to build a new relationship with ASU and Draper.
Eighteen Arizona State University students are coming back from Silicon Valley after attending the four-month-long Draper University. It is a partnership between ASU and Draper University to create The Entrepreneurship Incubator Program. These students were selected to participate in the first-semester long program at Draper University. The goal of the program is to help Arizona State University students start their entrepreneurial ventures while they complete their college degrees. 1MCPHX over the first four months of 2018 during ASU’s spring semester will be hosting eight student entrepreneurs to present about the company they started in Silicon Valley. The opportunity will help the students build a network and connect to Phoenix Valley’s startup community.
Arizona State University is igniting the entrepreneurial spirit through this innovative program. “We’re excited to continue to evolve ASU’s creative entrepreneurship teaching and learning environments, and our relationship with Draper allows us to take them to the next level,” said Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University.
1MCPHX is excited to welcome the group of students back to Arizona and help keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive! 1MCPHX host unlike people, providing the same table gathering to connect, inspire, educate and empower our the Phoenix communities. Every week, entrepreneurs present their startup company to their community and learn how their community can help support their business.
Starting on January 31st, once a month two student-entrepreneurs will present at 1MCPHX at 9 AM in the Skyline Lounge in Galvanize Phoenix. We’re creating an excellent opportunity for ASU students to pitch their businesses to the startup and entrepreneur community to receive feedback, connections, resources, and mentorship. These student entrepreneurs have started companies in a variety of industries such as Biotech, SaaS, VR, and Fintech.
Toyup will be presenting on Wednesday, January 31st and excited to kick off the series of student presentations. Christopher Oosthuisen, COO of ToyUp says, “We are thrilled to come back to AZ and become more embedded in the ecosystem here. We have learned a lot at our time at Draper, and are ready to introduce ToyUp to the world. That is why we are so fortunate for the opportunity to present at 1 Million Cups Phoenix and receive feedback to help our company grow”.
“This group of students has worked incredibly hard all semester, seven days a week to create outstanding companies. It was amazing to see a group of driven students to be able to accomplish a lot over the course of 16 weeks. We are excited to partner with 1 Million Cups Phoenix to bring the students back and keep the energy,” said Eli Chmouni, Executive Director of the ASU Draper Silicon Valley Program.
“What makes 1MCPHX special is our strong desire to connect and grow our community with inclusion. Not only do we have CEOs and Founders, but we also have student entrepreneurs present. We’re excited to have one of our own organizer Courteney Real be a part of the first Draper Program with ASU who initiated bridging these opportunities together.” Darryl Keeton II, Lead Organizer 1 Million Cups Phoenix
This event series is open and free to the public, starting at 9 AM at Galvanize Phoenix (515 E Grant St, Phoenix, AZ 85004). The event will last an hour with two companies presenting and time for networking. Students will give a 6 to 8 minute business pitch then followed by fifteen minutes of Q&A.
Join your Phoenix community and your newest entrepreneurs the following dates for a cup of coffee and a chance to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
We have an amazing team of organizers who love meeting new people and helping everyone in the community in any way possible. If you are interested in connecting with our team, sponsoring events, presenting, or joining us for a cup of joe, please connect with one of us today!
Darryl Keeton II, Luke Miller, Michael Ashbaugh, Shelby Crow, Leslie Pico, Katie Hess, Courteney Real, and Cody Faeth