By Silvana Villarreal
02/13/2023
The UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center hosted the inauguration of a weekly event called 1 Million Cups, which will give local entrepreneurs a platform to share their story and receive feedback from the community.
Their mission is to “change conditions, address root causes and break down systemic barriers so that all people — regardless of race, gender, or geography — have the opportunity to achieve economic stability, mobility, and prosperity,” according to the 1 Million Cups official website.
Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization Linda Ufland said the event is not meant to hear ideas, but it is a way to allow entrepreneurs to network and engage with the community.
A total of 33 different 1 Million Cups events are taking place around Texas, making Brownsville its 34th recipient.
The now weekly event allows the community to interact with entrepreneurs and harness their ability to grow as a business.
To kick off the event, Ufland introduced two business owners to guest speak in the event and retell their inspiration, obstacles and experiences the upbringing of their enterprises.
With the help of the Kauffman FastTrac program, the business Amor y Pan was successfully launched, and owner Karina Saldiavar used the 1 MIllion Cups platform to share her entrepreneurial journey.
Her business specializes in making pastries safe for consumption by people with food allergens such as peanuts, wheat and dairy.
“I do have a passion for everything that I make. I do it for that kid that can’t have a birthday cake… I do it for the people, like my brother, that can’t have that flour tortilla,” Saldivar said.
The Kauffman FastTrac is a series of courses given by ECC that helps entrepreneurs launch their business by providing guidance and funding for their future endeavors.
With no shortage of issues and obstacles found in business running, Saldivar managed to move forward with the help of community resources.
“She [Linda Ufland] basically became my monitor. She started telling me about everything wonderful that Brownsville has to offer,” Saldivar said. “It started with ECC , and then I met Julio [Quiroga] with TMAC and they’ve been giving me the best pointers.”
The event is set to take place every Wednesday in the eBridge center from 9-10 a.m.
For more information visit the Brownsville branch 1 Million Cups website.
