1 Million Cups pops the bubble, opening stage to rapid-fire pitches from global entrepreneurs

Kansas City’s 1 Million Cups gathering took on an international focus Wednesday, as 13 entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean joined the community through the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative.

Hosted in partnership with Global Ties KC, the gathering featured a special “Rapid 1MC” format, with five international founders presenting before a combined audience Q&A.

The approach reflected a broader effort to expand perspectives within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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“Entrepreneurship is global. We cannot stay in a bubble. We have to tap into other resources from time to time,” said Emmah Muema, program manager for 1 Million Cups. “We also have seen that we have to create space for other voices.”

A panel if international entrepreneurs sits before a crowd of 1 Million Cups Kansas City attendees at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center; photo by Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Faster format, broader perspective

The Rapid 1MC session allowed multiple founders to present within a single program, highlighting industries ranging from agriculture and health tech to mobility, architecture, and consumer products.

Courtney Brooks, president and CEO of Global Ties KC, speaks during a special 1 Million Cups Kansas City gathering at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center; photo by Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The entrepreneurs are participating in a U.S. State Department-backed fellowship that places emerging business leaders in American communities for month-long exchanges.

“It’s an economic exchange focused on building partnerships that lead to new markets, new ideas, and long-term collaboration,” said Courtney Brooks, president and CEO of Global Ties KC.

During the presentations, founders outlined challenges tied to scaling operations, adopting technology, and expanding into new markets.

Daniel Vasquez, founder of Easy Rental in the Dominican Republic, pitches his tech-enabled transportation platform during a special 1 Million Cups Kansas City session; photo by Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Five global pitches

Luciana Kliemann, representing Segredo Gaúcho Farm in Brazil, is helping modernize a family-owned grain operation through infrastructure upgrades and more efficient management systems, including sustainable crop rotation and end-to-end operational improvements.

“My biggest challenge is not production. It’s management,” she said. “We need to move the farm to more data-driven processes.”

Petra-Anne Davis, founder of Elixirs in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, discusses her company among a panel of international entrepreneurs at 1 Million Cups Kansas City; photo by Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Natalia Flores, a Costa Rica-based dietitian and co-founder of a nutrition platform the Healthy app, is working to help people overcome binge eating and build healthier relationships with food through personalized guidance and technology.

“People are not static,” she said. “Our habits are affected by our environment and our stress.”

Daniel Vasquez, founder of Easy Rental in the Dominican Republic, is building a tech-enabled transportation platform that integrates car rentals, VIP transfers, and group transportation for both travelers and corporate clients.

“We simplify ground transportation for everyone in the Dominican Republic, and then we will expand into Latin America,” he said.

Uruguay-based architect Vicente Bonilla leads Montevideo Architectural Group, a firm that collaborates with global partners on BIM-driven design projects that combine sustainability with digital fabrication and execution support.

“Our challenge right now is growth,” he said. “We know it’s a model that works.”

Petra-Anne Davis, founder of Elixirs in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is developing a mobile beverage brand that produces portable cocktails designed for events and on-the-go experiences, while exploring expansion into wellness-focused products.

“The issue isn’t demand. It’s visibility,” she said.

Emmah Muema, program manager for 1 Million Cups, opens a special 1 Million Cups Kansas City gathering at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center; photo by Matt Long, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Global ideas meet local connections

Participants were encouraged to engage directly with presenters, reflecting 1 Million Cups’ emphasis on connection and feedback.

The event also aligns with a broader strategy refresh within the program, which focuses on expanding access, strengthening community connections, and increasing support for entrepreneurs nationwide.

“We are collaborating. We want to make sure we are lowering barriers every year,” said Muema.

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The international exchange component reflects Global Ties KC’s role in connecting Kansas City with global leaders through professional and cultural programs.

“Kansas City’s story and the global story are written by entrepreneurs willing to think beyond borders, by organizations that open their doors to international exchange, and by individuals who choose to engage with the world right here at home,” said Brooks.