October 16, 2024
Utah Valley entrepreneurs seeking community need look no further than Orem’s 1 Million Cups event, where new and established innovators meet to listen to pitches and connect.
1 Million Cups is a national organization fostering a supportive environment where entrepreneurs share ideas and business ventures, receive feedback, and network. It has a Utah presence at two meeting locations: Salt Lake City and Utah Valley University in Orem. Meetings at both locations are held every Wednesday at 9 a.m.
“We like to be consistent, so anytime someone wakes up and realizes they have the time to attend, they know when and where to go without having to check,” said Illens Dort, CEO and founder of Maximum Impact Council and one of the event’s hosts.
This consistency extends to the meeting itself. The gathering begins with introductions of new and returning attendees, followed by a pitch given by at least one entrepreneur. The presenter is selected after the pitch deck is sent to the organizer. After pitches are given and questions answered, attendees mingle and network for the remainder of the time.
“1 Million cups is a great place for good ideas and bad ideas alike,” said Shad Woodland, the executive director of MakeUtah. “I’ve been coming for a year and a half. Myself and others have had really good experiences coming here. It’s helped me become more succinct, which has been great.”
Those who attend 1 Million Cups in Orem can stay to join the Small Business Development Center’s 11 a.m. Entrepreneur Insights meeting. This meeting, held every third Wednesday of the month, allows local business owners to share experiences to guide and inspire their peers.
“The purpose is that they come and share their insights,” said Dort. “They aren’t there to sell to the audience but to serve by inspiring the people.”
While joining a 1 Million Cups gathering is free, Entrepreneur Insights has a nominal $15 fee for lunch and attendance confirmation.
Learn more about both gatherings to expand your business skills and strengthen your ties to the local startup community.
The information in this article is current as of the publishing date and is intended for informational purposes only. This article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax, or business advice. Any resources and organizations mentioned, unless an entity of or a partner of the state of Utah, are not formally endorsed by the Startup State Initiative or state of Utah.