1 Million Cups Coming to Williston
A new program for entrepreneurs
and business startups is coming to Williston! The first 1
Million Cups meeting
will be held March 1, 2017.
1 Million Cups (1MC) is a grassroots
program that supports early-stage business owners. Williston Economic
Development is leading the effort to start the program in its hometown.
Executive Director Shawn Wenko said he was notified in early January that
Williston’s application had been approved.
“One of the steps that we have
taken towards fostering the entrepreneurial spirit was seeking to become a 1 Million Cups Community.
We are happy to report the City of Williston has been accepted,” said Wenko.
The Kaufman Foundation started 1MC
in Kansas City about five years ago. Today there are more than 110 1MC
communities nationwide, including programs in Bismarck, Fargo and Grand Forks,
North Dakota.
“1 Million Cups is a free
national program designed to educate, engage and connect entrepreneurs,” said
Wenko. “1 Million Cups is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover
solutions and network over a million cups of coffee.”
WED is working with several
community leaders to launch the Williston program. The meetings will be held
the first Wednesday morning of each month at a place and time yet to be
determined. Each meeting will follow the same format; two early-stage startups
will have up to six minutes to present their companies followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer
session with the audience. Coffee and pastries will be provided.
Wenko said he hopes the program
will foster a supportive, welcoming space for entrepreneurs to be open and
honest about their businesses and the challenges they face.
“One of our goals in 2017 is to
find additional ways to develop business from within our community and
region. It starts with the entrepreneur,” said Wenko.
Williston 1MC has an active website, twitter and Facebook
page. More details about who will be presenting as well as the place and time
of the meeting will be posted soon.
For more information please
contact Shawn Wenko at shawnw@ci.williston.nd.us
or 701-577-8110.