Introducing Tom Chapman’s Innovation Chamber

There’s no doubt about it, Tom Chapman of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has been a very important part of our region’s expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem. In his role as director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Chamber, Tom works tirelessly to offer advice to individuals and businesses and connect those whom he thinks would be a good fit for a short meeting or possibly a business deal.

We’ve had the privilege of working closely with Tom on a number of events, sometimes covering the event and other times planning it with him, and we’ve also been fortunate to gain his and the Chamber’s support from the events we produce.

Today, I’m excited to announce another layer of involvement from Tom, the addition of him as our second regular guest contributor with his series Innovation Chamber (last week, we introduced William Fisher.) Carrying the tagline “A look outside the Chamber for innovation,” Tom will be drawing on his professional experiences to lend advice, share observations and provide milestones to the entrepreneurial community in the Silicon Prairie.

If you’re lucky, you may already be familiar with Tom from personal or professional interaction or by attending one the events he’s coordinated, such as Cornstalks, Cornstalks Demo Night or Omaha Startup Drinks. You might also recognize his name as he’s previously contributed to Silicon Prairie News with a variety of posts, such as his important series that broke down Nebraska’s “Talent and Innovation Initiative.”

Below you’ll find Tom’s full bio, and later this morning keep an eye out for his first Innovation Chamber post, “The importance of positivity and determination.” 

Tom Chapman is the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He is passionate about helping local ecosystems (particularly the Silicon Prairie) grow into blossoming fertile environments for new ventures. In his work, he has worked with hundreds of local (and some non-local) new ventures, many very large companies seeking innovation advice and a host of funders looking for deals. Tom claims to be an expert in very little but does have an energy background having worked at both Enron and American Electric Power in Houston, Texas and Columbus, Ohio. He has degrees from both Creighton University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.