Thom Ruhe

Talent in first cycle resulted in 8 companies receiving investments totaling $300,000 at awards dinner on December 17, 2013. Kauffman Foundation Vice President, Thom Rhue, and Program Officer, Jonathan Robinson, attended, as well as Innovation Fund America executives, Paul Corson and Tracy Green, from Lorain County Community College in Ohio - as well as dignitaries from the State of North Carolina.

Cycle 2 application period just closed, and start-up companies interested well exceed… Show more

Talent in first cycle resulted in 8 companies receiving investments totaling $300,000 at awards dinner on December 17, 2013. Kauffman Foundation Vice President, Thom Rhue, and Program Officer, Jonathan Robinson, attended, as well as Innovation Fund America executives, Paul Corson and Tracy Green, from Lorain County Community College in Ohio - as well as dignitaries from the State of North Carolina.

Cycle 2 application period just closed, and start-up companies interested well exceed 100, over 25% increase from Cycle 1.

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1 Million Cups (1MC) is a simple way to engage entrepreneurs in communities around the world. Each week, the 1MC program offers two local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors, and entrepreneurs. Presenters prepare a 6 minute educational presentation and engage in 20 minutes of feedback and questioning after they present. Entrepreneurs gain insight into possible ways they can improve their businesses, gather realtime feedback, connect… Show more

1 Million Cups (1MC) is a simple way to engage entrepreneurs in communities around the world. Each week, the 1MC program offers two local entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their startups to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors, and entrepreneurs. Presenters prepare a 6 minute educational presentation and engage in 20 minutes of feedback and questioning after they present. Entrepreneurs gain insight into possible ways they can improve their businesses, gather realtime feedback, connect with a community that truly cares about their progress, and walk away feeling like they have advanced their business. The audience also learns a great deal from the presentations. Whether this is through passively listening or deeply engaging with the entrepreneurs, there is much to learn every week from these dynamic and diverse communities.

The program takes place every Wednesday morning from 9:00-10:00am in locations all around the country. Visit our "Find an Event" page for a list of locations. Each city runs the program semi-autonomously, and gather in coffee shops, co-working spaces, and even TV stations.

1 Million Cups is a program run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. If you're interested in bringing 1 Million Cups to your community, please let us know. Start by visiting our "Caffeinate Your Community" page. We'll take it from there.

For additional updates, please follow us on Twitter @1MillionCups and connect with us on Facebook. Show less

Selected as one of only three community colleges nationwide to replicate an entrepreneurship program that involves regular cycles of grants and loans to scalable start-ups several times per year; Catawba Valley Community College's initial footprint in the Innovation Fund of America project pilot is the entire State of North Carolina (100 counties); initial partners include the Kauffman Foundation and Lorain County Community College (Ohio), Johnson Community College (Kansas) and Long Beach City… Show more

Selected as one of only three community colleges nationwide to replicate an entrepreneurship program that involves regular cycles of grants and loans to scalable start-ups several times per year; Catawba Valley Community College's initial footprint in the Innovation Fund of America project pilot is the entire State of North Carolina (100 counties); initial partners include the Kauffman Foundation and Lorain County Community College (Ohio), Johnson Community College (Kansas) and Long Beach City Community College (California).

Working on a detailed implementation plan that includes strategic goals, operational details, and major resource development to establish the significant fund. Planning for first funding cycle for projects in fall, 2013. Show less

Top of Mind is a weekly web show that highlights the latest news and information about entrepreneurship. I guest hosted the show that featured a visit to a local startup and an interview with the founder.

CODE2040 is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to educational, professional, and entrepreneurial success in technology for underrepresented minorities with a specific focus on Blacks and Latino/as. CODE2040 exists to make a direct impact on the achievement, skills, and wealth gaps in the United States. 2040 is the year when the US will be majority-minority. Our goal is to ensure that, by that same year, Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of… Show more

CODE2040 is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to educational, professional, and entrepreneurial success in technology for underrepresented minorities with a specific focus on Blacks and Latino/as. CODE2040 exists to make a direct impact on the achievement, skills, and wealth gaps in the United States. 2040 is the year when the US will be majority-minority. Our goal is to ensure that, by that same year, Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of America's innovation economy as technologists, investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs.

CODE2040's flagship program is our summer Fellows Program, which places high performing Black and Latino/a software engineering students in internships with top tech companies and provides mentorship, leadership training, and network development. Start preparing your application materials with our Applicant Toolkit and apply at apply.code2040.org. Show less

Inspire, Inform & Involve

The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is a revolutionary new online learning program designed to inspire and engage participants in the fundamental concepts of an entrepreneurial mindset and the unlimited opportunities it can provide.

This highly interactive program enables participants to learn directly from the firsthand experience of successful real-world entrepreneurs. The overall objective is to empower learners through entrepreneurial thinking and… Show more

Inspire, Inform & Involve

The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is a revolutionary new online learning program designed to inspire and engage participants in the fundamental concepts of an entrepreneurial mindset and the unlimited opportunities it can provide.

This highly interactive program enables participants to learn directly from the firsthand experience of successful real-world entrepreneurs. The overall objective is to empower learners through entrepreneurial thinking and immerse them in entrepreneurial experiences that will enable them to develop entrepreneurial skills.

Drawing on the entrepreneurial life lessons described in the book, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program combines narrated chalkboard style presentations with video interviews and case studies featuring modern-day examples of entrepreneurs who have triumphed over adversity by embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. In addition to the narrated chalkboard presentations, each lesson includes individual learning assessments, discussion topics, and assignments that are designed to maximize comprehension while encouraging real-world application of the core concepts. Show less

CODE2040 is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to educational, professional, and entrepreneurial success in technology for underrepresented minorities with a specific focus on Blacks and Latino/as. CODE2040 exists to make a direct impact on the achievement, skills, and wealth gaps in the United States. 2040 is the year when the US will be majority-minority. Our goal is to ensure that, by that same year, Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of… Show more

CODE2040 is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to educational, professional, and entrepreneurial success in technology for underrepresented minorities with a specific focus on Blacks and Latino/as. CODE2040 exists to make a direct impact on the achievement, skills, and wealth gaps in the United States. 2040 is the year when the US will be majority-minority. Our goal is to ensure that, by that same year, Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of America's innovation economy as technologists, investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs.

CODE2040's flagship program is our summer Fellows Program, which places high performing Black and Latino/a software engineering students in internships with top tech companies and provides mentorship, leadership training, and network development. Start preparing your application materials with our Applicant Toolkit and apply at apply.code2040.org. Show less