As we get closer to the Silicon Prairie Awards, we still need you to help us determine which individuals and companies will take home these shiny golden analogs. We’ve compiled a few highlights from the massive number of nominations we received, so you can get to know the finalists a little bit better.
Remember, you can vote every day for your favorites and you still have 4 weeks to spread the word! Voting ends August 31st
2015 Silicon Prairie Champion Finalists
Brian Ardinger
2014 Silicon Prairie Champion winner, Brian Ardinger is an asset to the startup ecosystem in Nebraska. As Managing Director of the NMotion startup accelerator and host of the weekly Inside Outside podcast, he’s shown dedication to not only growing startups in Lincoln, but increasing awareness of the entire Midwest startup scene as well.
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Ardigner is a community builder who has launched and continues to coordinate events such as Open Coffee and Startup Week Lincoln. He is a startup veteran and a master connector. He embodies exactly what is needed within a startup community, intelligence and helpfulness. Vote now
Joni Cobb
As founding President and CEO of the Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship, Joni Cobb is a champion for entrepreneurs across the Silicon Prairie. She is a noted speaker on entrepreneurship and innovation. Her perseverance and drive to connect entrepreneurs, investors and partners from around the region is inspiring and motivating.
Cobb is also a founding adviser to the Athena League for women entrepreneurs. Her high-energy approach to making the Midwest a strong startup community is contagious. Vote now
Paul Jarrett
If one person could exemplify #BangTheDrum, it’s Paul Jarrett. Jarrett is a mentor to many organizations across the Silicon Prairie including NMotion, StraightShot and CEO Club. He tirelessly teaches and encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs no matter what part of the region they are in.
When he isn’t running Bulu Box or recording the Inside Outside Podcast, you might find him meeting with Lincoln City Council or Nebraska State Senators to improve his city and Nebraska’s economic development policies. Vote now
Joseph Knecht
CEO of VentureTech, Joseph Knecht has been passionately guiding local and regional entrepreneurs for 15+ years through strategically building their startup ideas.
Knecht was a key player in launching the Technology Association of Nebraska. He continues to give back through several economic development and university boards and over a dozen national startup accelerators. He has attracted several new startups to the region and is a constant ambassador for the Silicon Prairie. Vote now
Ben McDougal
Marketing Director of Drake Homes and CEO of Jet Set Studios, Ben “BENovator” McDougal has evolved from being an active member of the Des Moines startup community to one of the leading community builders in Iowa.
McDougal has built and sold two companies since 2007 and is rumored to have a hot new IoT product in the works.
As an inspired community builder whose true passion is the art of connection, McDougal has accelerated the evolution of 1 Million Cups Des Moines, dmStartupDrinks, Des Moines Tech Week and the Iowa entrepreneurial ecosystem overall. Vote now
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Join us at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln on October 1st to celebrate our region and to recognize the individuals and companies who are doing big things in the Silicon Prairie!
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