PONTIAC – Oakland County on Sept. 13 will join a program founded by the Kauffman Foundation to provide free, weekly networking that is aimed at supporting startups on a grassroots level.
The 1 Million Cups program is based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. Beginning September 13, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders and all interested community members are invited to attend each Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at The Oakland County Executive Office Building, located at 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, Michigan.
The program’s model is consistent in each city: Two early-stage startups present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers, entrepreneurs and fellow community members. Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.
The inaugural 1 Million Cups in Oakland County will feature presentations by Innovative Dronomics, which provides situational awareness and premise information to every first responder involved at an emergency, and Facility Health Inc. leverages their real-world CHFM facility management experience to ultimately improve patient care through predictive investment in the physical environment.
In each 1 Million Cups city, local community members drive the program as volunteer organizers.
The inaugural organizing team in Oakland County includes:
- Kendra Corman, managing director of H2H Consulting
- Greg Doyle, manager, Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center
- Thomas Fehrenbach, business development, Oakland County
- Scott Garretson, co-founder, Brilliant Chemistry
- Yusuf Hai, managing director, CIG Capital Advisors
- Michael Keith, founder, The Office Coffee Shop
- Jay Patel, president and CEO, Amtech Electrocircuits
- Erick Phillips, business consultant, Oakland County Business Center
- Thomas Raymond, business consultant, Oakland County
- Jason Verbrugghe, owner, DPro Healthcare
- Vernell Wilson, owner, ARight for U.
“As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the value of connecting and supporting others in their entrepreneurial journey,” Patel said. “1 Million Cups Oakland County is the first of its kind in Michigan, and I am proud to be on the inaugural organizing team.”
Entrepreneurs across Oakland County are welcome and encouraged to apply to present their business. If interested, please visit www.1millioncups.com/oaklandcounty to submit your application.
MITechNews.Com is a media sponsor of this event.
