The new weekly event connects innovators, mentors, and startups in their native language.
Fort Worth, TX – The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s national entrepreneurship program, 1 Million Cups, will launch its first all-Spanish-speaking community on Wednesday, September 3 at 9:00 a.m., hosted at Accelerate Fort Worth, 1150 S. Freeway Bldg. 600, Fort Worth, TX 76104. This groundbreaking initiative aims to foster innovation and community among Hispanic entrepreneurs in Fort Worth.
1 Million Cups is based on the notion that entrepreneurs network and discover solutions over a million cups of coffee. The free, weekly gathering helps build startup communities on a grassroots level.
Since 2014, 1 Million Cups has been active in the Fort Worth community in English only. Beginning in September, entrepreneurs, innovators, funders, and other interested community members are invited to attend in English or Spanish each Wednesday at Accelerate.
The program’s model is consistent in each city: Every Wednesday morning, two early-stage startups present their companies to an audience of mentors, advisers, and other entrepreneurs. Each presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.
“The opportunity to start a Spanish-speaking 1 Million Cups community in Fort Worth is exciting and will provide more resources to serve Hispanic entrepreneurs, and the Hispanic community in such a unique way,” says Brian Harris, Executive Director for Accelerate Fort Worth.
“Launching 1 Million Cups in Spanish is more than an event, it’s a statement about inclusion, access, and opportunity,” says Ericka Garza, President & CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Our Hispanic entrepreneurs bring incredible innovation and resilience to Fort Worth, and now they will have a space that reflects their culture and language while connecting them to resources, mentorship, and capital. This is how we strengthen our entire business ecosystem.”
The inaugural Spanish-speaking 1 Million Cups in Fort Worth will feature presentations by TND Geomatics, a full-service professional land surveying firm, and Saltus Training Group, a bilingual training firm focusing on business formation, business plan development, financial planning, curriculum creation, and professional skill development. Both are locally minority- and women-owned businesses.
Visit the national website at www.1millioncups.com and access the 1 Million Cups Fort Worth en Español microsite
here.
About Accelerate Fort Worth
Accelerate Fort Worth Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs with the strategic tools, resources, and networks they need to build scalable, sustainable businesses. Through a focus on accountability, confidence-building, and growth, Accelerate supports entrepreneurs in expanding their capacity, accessing capital, and connecting with a robust ecosystem of mentors, coaches, service providers, and peers. Special emphasis is placed on supporting minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, as well as those from traditionally underserved or economically disadvantaged communities.
For over 25 years, Accelerate has been a driving force in cultivating a vibrant startup culture in Fort Worth. The organization operates from the historic James E. Guinn Entrepreneurial Campus, located at I-35 and Rosedale. To learn more, visit www.acceleratefortworth.org.
About the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC) has proudly served the business community since 1973, working to foster economic growth, provide access to opportunity, and champion the success of Hispanic and minority-owned businesses. Through strategic partnerships, programs and advocacy, FWHCC empowers entrepreneurs and strengthens the region’s diverse business ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.fwhcc.org.
About the Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful. The Kauffman Foundation is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and uses its $2 billion in assets to collaboratively help people be self-sufficient, productive citizens.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org.
Media Contacts
Brian Harris
Executive Director
Accelerate Fort Worth Foundation
(817) 201-7019
brian@acceleratefortworth.org
Christian Argueta Soto
Minority Business Enterprise Specialist
Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(817) 625-5411
Cristian.ArguetaSoto@fwhcc.org
Join us for coffee, conversation, and community every Wednesday at Accelerate Fort Worth.
