ABOUT 1 MILLION CUPS
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 180 communities.
As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life—and we’re here to fulfill that mission.
OUR CULTURE
Diversity, equity and inclusion are key to the success of our programs. Nationwide, 1 Million Cups communities aim to present an inclusive and supportive front door to their local entrepreneurial ecosystems. These qualities are essential for 1MC to fulfill its mission to educate, engage and connect entrepreneurs with their communities. And they are too essential to leave to chance as the number of 1MC communities continues to grow.
ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION
Founded by Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is driven to provide uncommon ways to create opportunities and connect people to the tools they need to achieve success, change their futures and give back to their communities. We believe that if you have an idea, you have a fundamental right to start a business to make it a reality.
We also believe that opportunity lies in the fields of education and entrepreneurship. Our team is based in Kansas City and made up of connectors and doers who dream big, solve problems with the communities we serve and take calculated risks to drive results.
Kelly Reeser
Kelly Reeser serves as the Director of Entrepreneurial Development for FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance. In this role, Kelly is tasked with supporting our region’s high-growth entrepreneurs with both startup and growth strategies. She accomplishes this goal by managing the Gulf Coast Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship- an innovation and technology-based incubator, partnering with local entrepreneurs to host Startup Weekend Pensacola, ITEN Wired and by coordinating entrepreneurial efforts with community partners.
Kelly currently serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement and The Global Corner, and is a member of the International Business Innovation Association. She was a member of the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2013 and also serves as a volunteer with middle school students at Olive Baptist Church.
Kelly holds a Master of Arts degree in Development Management & Public Policy from Georgetown University and bachelor degrees in Spanish & Latin American Studies from Southern Methodist University. She is a native of Pensacola, an avid traveler and loves being a mom—she enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, daughter, Evangelina, and baby boy, Elliot.
Jim Rhodes
Jim has actively participated in the planning of the annual ITEN Wired Summit since 2012 and is in his 5th year serving as its director.
He is a native of Pensacola and a graduate of Tate High School and the University of West Florida, where he received his degree in finance. He moved to Charlotte, NC in 1997 with a goal of furthering his career in banking, but later developed a passion for information technology. Upon graduating ECPI College of Technology, he officially entered into the world of IT in 2001. After working several years as a network engineer, he and his family relocated back to Pensacola in 2007.
Jim has been employed by AppRiver since 2008 and currently manages the mobile solutions team which provides mobile device support for a global customer base of almost 300,000 users. He also serves as an advisor to the board of directors for IT Gulf Coast and as a board member for Innovation Coast.
He is married and has two sons. He enjoys golfing, kayaking, and fishing.
ABOUT 1 MILLION CUPS
Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 180 communities.
As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life—and we’re here to fulfill that mission.
OUR CULTURE
Diversity, equity and inclusion are key to the success of our programs. Nationwide, 1 Million Cups communities aim to present an inclusive and supportive front door to their local entrepreneurial ecosystems. These qualities are essential for 1MC to fulfill its mission to educate, engage and connect entrepreneurs with their communities. And they are too essential to leave to chance as the number of 1MC communities continues to grow.
ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION
Founded by Ewing Marion Kauffman, the Foundation is driven to provide uncommon ways to create opportunities and connect people to the tools they need to achieve success, change their futures and give back to their communities. We believe that if you have an idea, you have a fundamental right to start a business to make it a reality.
We also believe that opportunity lies in the fields of education and entrepreneurship. Our team is based in Kansas City and made up of connectors and doers who dream big, solve problems with the communities we serve and take calculated risks to drive results.
