1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids

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1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids

We feature two new ideas each week. After giving a six-minute pitch, entrepreneurs receive questions, feedback and connections from the audience.

1 Million Cups Cedar Rapids (1MCCR) takes place every Wednesday morning, offering a free opportunity to educate, engage, and connect local entrepreneurs and community members. Kauffman Labs for Enterprise Creation created 1 Million Cups (1MC) as a simple way to engage startup communities, based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee. Locations

rotate between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Find all the latest details on our meetup page: http://www.meetup.com/Vault-ISA/

06/15/2026

Join us this Wednesday, June 17, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Cedar Witch Goods owner and founder Katie Adams!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: Cedar Witch Goods Owner/Founder Katie Adams will host a fireside chat about expanding her business to a new location in Marion, after previously being located at the NewBo City Market. She’s discussing her wide range of crafted products and what it’s really like to run a small retail business.

To learn more about Katie or to view her product offerings, visit: https://www.cedarwitchgoods.com/

06/08/2026

Join us this Wednesday, June 10, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee and networking with our friends at 1MC Iowa City as we kick off ENTREFest!☕✴️ SPECIAL LOCATION NOTE: This event will take place at MERGE Iowa City, located at 136 S Dubuque St.

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: Ben McDougal will discuss his new book, “Brewed from Within,” which features area entrepreneur Andre Wright, who will join him for a fireside chat. Learn more about Ben by visiting: https://benmcdougal.com/.

In addition, Iowa JPEC’s Summer Fellowship Program will feature two student startup pitches. ⚡💼

We can’t wait to see you there! 👋

06/01/2026

Join us this Wednesday, June 3, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Me-2 RV Power Systems owner and founder James Dierickx!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: James will present on his kinetic energy wheel generator, which saves fuel, reduces environmental impact, and reduces noise pollution while using an RV. Me2-RV™ is a power system that captures kinetic energy and can be used instantaneously to meet the RV’s power needs, without running a gas/diesel generator. His product has been launched, and he is seeking feedback and referrals from various experts.

05/25/2026

Join us this Wednesday, May 27, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from A Piece At A Time founder & executive director Christy Hernandez!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: The mission of A Piece at a Time is to empower individuals pursuing health and wellness goals by providing clothing that fits their journey, restores confidence, and celebrates progress, a piece at a time.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Christy Hernandez is the Founder/Executive Director of A Piece at a Time. She currently works at Tanager as a Family Support Specialist, helping families navigate challenges and access vital resources.

Christy is deeply committed to serving the community and helping individuals overcome barriers to accessing essential supports and services. Her work is guided by empathy, lived experience, and a strong belief in meeting people where they are.

To learn more, visit: https://www.apieceatatime.org/

05/18/2026

Join us this Wednesday, May 20, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Familiar Cat Café owner and founder Kat Sung!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: Familiar Cat Café LLC is an aspiring cat cafe on track to open in June 2026. Familiar is a sanctuary for humans and cats alike, centered on connection and belonging. As cat cafés grow in popularity across the U.S., Familiar offers a unique twist: a welcoming space where healing, intention, and adoption come together.

Familiar will serve refreshments, highlight local artists and businesses, and feature a dedicated cat room where visitors can interact with adoptable cats. By partnering with a local rescue, Familiar will play an active role in facilitating cat adoptions and reducing shelter overcrowding.

ABOUT THE OWNER 😺: Founder Kat Sung (they/them) is a Korean adoptee with a background in psychology, crisis services, and spiritual healing. Driven by an intersectional identity, lived experience, and a love for both community and cats, Kat created Familiar as a space where everyone (and every cat!) can feel safe, valued, and at home.

05/11/2026

Join us this Wednesday, May 13, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Design Lab LLC co-founder Landis Cross!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: What does it take to build a global tech company while still in college? Step inside Design Lab LLC to see how automation, AI, and smart systems are driving growth across Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iowa — all while navigating an eight-hour time gap and operating through real-world conflict. Landis Cross, co-founder, will present their compelling story.

05/04/2026

Join us this Wednesday, May 6, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Uptown Coffee Company owner and founder Lexi Matthews!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: Lexi Matthews, founder of Uptown Coffee, recently opened her second location in the NewBo City Market after the success of her shop in Marion with her husband, Rex. We’ll hear about their search for the perfect bean, what makes a perfect cup, and the business behind the coffee.

To learn more about Lexi or her business, visit: https://www.uptowncoffee.co/

04/27/2026

Join us this Wednesday, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Victory Leadership Coaching owner and founder JJ Hardy!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: JJ Hardy is the owner and founder of Victory Leadership Coaching, where he motivates, inspires, and educates leaders on his six leadership principles (Vision, Ownership, Integrity, Communication, Empathy, and Servant Leadership) and helps them apply them not only in their own lives but also in their jobs/businesses. He has also published five books and hosts the Speak Up, Show Up, and Lead podcast.

Learn more at: https://victoryleadershipcoaching.com/

04/21/2026

Join us tomorrow, April 22, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from HEA Book Boutique owner and founder Jenn Draper!☕

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION 💡: 1MC Alumnus Jenn Draper will share information about her business, HEA Book Boutique, which moved to its new location at 588 Boysen Rd NE in January.

Jenn (the self-described "Chief Book Babe") has created a niche market for romance and indie authors, as well as gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Learn more at: https://www.heabookboutique.com/

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 👇

NEW LOCATION 🏢: We have moved! This event will be held in our new location at 460 12th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, 52401 Ste 100 (in The Depot Building, directly across the street from our former location).

PARKING 🚗: Please park in the lot behind the building; unreserved numbered space parking is okay/permitted!

ENTRY 🚪: Enter through the Ark Data doors and take an immediate right through the additional set of doors; we are located on the ground level.

04/13/2026

Join us this Wednesday, April 15, from 8:30 to 10:00 am for coffee, networking and a presentation from Rob Hach of Giddy.Love!☕

ABOUT THE BUSINESS 💼: Giddy.Love is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to make marriage feel exciting again. We believe connection doesn’t have to be complicated — it just needs intention.

Our founder, Rob Hach, knows this firsthand. After walking through a divorce he didn’t want, Rob set out to build a resource that would help other couples stay close, laugh more, and choose each other every day.

Today, Giddy.Love combines psychology, play, and purpose into one simple experience designed for real couples who want to stay in love, and have fun doing it.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 👇

NEW LOCATION 🏢: We have moved! This event will be held in our new location at 460 12th Ave SE Cedar Rapids, 52401 Ste 100 (in The Depot Building, directly across the street from our former location).

PARKING 🚗: Please park in the lot behind the building; unreserved numbered space parking is okay/permitted!

ENTRY 🚪: Enter through the Ark Data doors and take an immediate right through the additional set of doors; we are located on the ground level.

Address

460 12th Avenue SE Ste 100
Cedar Rapids, IA
52401

Opening Hours

8:45am - 10am

Website

https://newbo.co/1mc/

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