NORFOLK, Neb. -- Entrepreneurs. One of the hardest challenges to take head on in the business world. Maybe you want to be the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. Well, these people are here to help. 

“So, 1 Million Cups is a non-profit community through the Kauffman foundation out of Kansas City,” said Emma Bennett, community development manager. “So initially, it was started out of Kansas City with the idea that eventually there will be a million cups of coffee being had by entrepreneurs across the world.”

1 Million Cups opened a location here in Norfolk just two years ago; aiming to help entrepreneurs around the area. Their goal is to help those get planted in the business world and open a wide network of opportunities. 

“Nebraska has communities in Omaha, Lincoln, and Norfolk,” Bennett said. “We are the only one outside of the metro area which is really fun and it is made to help connect entrepreneurs and help grow them.” 

The group meets every Wednesday at 9 a.m. over at Intersect Coworking and Incubator. They host daily pitch meetings to those who have a new business idea. They also provide valuable feedback from themselves and professionals.  

“When you come to 1 Million Cups, in Norfolk, it is an on-ramp to innovation and entrepreneurial education," said Hunter Bergman, 1 Million Cups Representative. “Where you can get connected to the greater Nebraska ecosystem. With people like Emma, Invest Nebraska, or other individuals, you are one step away from the connections you need to be successful."

According to their website, every week, these entrepreneurs present business ideas to the local community and learn how those around them can support their business in its growth. Your local 1 Million Cups (1MC) community gives you the opportunity to refine your elevator pitch to a diverse audience, access training programs, and engage with a network for support.

“The value that 1MC has for people is connections,” Bergman said. “I mean we saw today, ‘Oh I have a friend that you can go talk to,’" Bergman said in reference to a connection that was made earlier in the meeting. "It’s the referral and relationship type-thing.” 

To plant the seed of your big idea, be sure to drop by. You never know who might be listening.