Big Omaha

  • Big Omaha early bird tickets are here!

    Big Omaha early bird tickets are here!

    Big Omaha is back on May 17-19! We are looking forward to seeing you at one of the nation’s most inspiring and innovative conferences for today’s startups or those looking for a catalyst to start up something new. Early bird tickets go on sale today for $399. Early bird ticket buyers have until March 13 to save…

  • SPN Startup Story Social revealed successes and surprises

    SPN Startup Story Social revealed successes and surprises

    Last night Silicon Prairie News hosted the first Startup Story Social, a new event highlighting a Silicon Prairie startup champion every month. Startup Story Social is aimed at helping to ensure the future of Silicon Prairie’s tech startup scene by building the community through social events that combine founders, creative types, investors, engineers, designers, marketers,…

  • Tanya Menendez at Big Omaha: “Make your customers an extension of your team” [Video]

    Tanya Menendez at Big Omaha: “Make your customers an extension of your team” [Video]

    Tanya Menendez of Maker’s Row spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about developing the idea for Maker’s Row, her company’s launch event and company growing pains. She also discussed the pushback she received for democratizing data about American manufacturers. “In the very early days people would come to our office and threaten us,” said Menendez. “They would say, ‘I…

  • Samantha Payne at Big Omaha: “The point is to make prosthetics cool” [Video]

    Samantha Payne at Big Omaha: “The point is to make prosthetics cool” [Video]

    Samantha Payne of Open Bionics spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about her company’s mission to create affordable, open source 3D printed bionics, their work at the Disney Techstars accelerator and rethinking what a human hand can be. She also discussed developing Iron Man, Frozen and Star Wars themed bionic hands for children. “The point of all of this is…

  • Bart Lorang at Big Omaha: “Embrace the worst” [Video]

    Bart Lorang at Big Omaha: “Embrace the worst” [Video]

    Bart Lorang of Full Contact spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about his early years selling pirated pornography on diskettes to his high school friends, underselling computers at OfficeMax and starting a PC consulting business. He also discussed what he does to keep from getting wrapped up in his title and position as CEO. “Everyday one of the things I…

  • John Henry at Big Omaha: “There’s riches in niches” [Video]

    John Henry at Big Omaha: “There’s riches in niches” [Video]

    John Henry of Cofound Harlem spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about his first job as a doorman, his work doing dry cleaning for Hollywood movies and television, and what he’s learned investing in Harlem. He also discussed what he learned when he became the go-to dry cleaning service for movie and television studios. “There’s riches in niches,” said Henry.…

  • Amy Emmerich at Big Omaha: “Success is not a ladder” [Video]

    Amy Emmerich at Big Omaha: “Success is not a ladder” [Video]

    Amy Emmerich of Refinery29 spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about her childhood in Queens, her work on HBO’s Cathouse, and why she decided to become Chief Content Officer at Refinery29. She also discussed the lessons she has learned along the way. “I don’t think success is a ladder,” said Emmerich. “You have to take chances every which way you…

  • Sol Orwell at Big Omaha: 84% of high growth companies did not take any VC [Video]

    Sol Orwell at Big Omaha: 84% of high growth companies did not take any VC [Video]

    Sol Orwell of Examine.com spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about his life as a immigrant, turning down investors, and work-life balance. He also discussed how venture capital is like a lottery. “In the average venture fund 2 percent of the companies generate 98 percent of the revenue,” said Orwell. “These are the things we never consider.” Orwell also…

  • Paul Singh at Big Omaha: “I don’t need to look at your pitch deck” [Video]

    Paul Singh at Big Omaha: “I don’t need to look at your pitch deck” [Video]

    Paul Singh of Results Junkies spoke at Big Omaha 2016 about his start with America Online, his development as a venture capitalist with 500 Startups, and the re-imagining of Crystal City as a startup community in Washington, D.C. He also discussed the rise of subscription-based SaaS services, the mobile revolution, and the “dirty secret” of venture capital today.…

  • Are you ready?

    Are you ready?

    We had an amazing time at the Big Omaha Opening Party last night at The Berry & Rye. Now it’s time for the real show to start. Check out the full schedule to see what’s coming up next and don’t forget to check out the Big Omaha live stream to get in on the excitement.…