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newsletter, Sept. 3 – Nebraska Opportunity Exchange

Access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for Nebraska small business owners. A new $500k microloan fund launched by the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange aims to change that.

The fund marks a first-time collaboration between the Urban League of Nebraska, Invest Nebraska and Nebraska Enterprise Fund. The initiative combines financing with training, mentorship and long-term support to prepare businesses for growth and sustainability. Business owners can apply for up to $50k in funding.

Upon completion of the capacity building programs that accompany the financing, business owners could become eligible for additional funding through partner lending organizations.

Learn more about NOE and what it takes to qualify in the story on SPN.

Upcoming Events

  • RSVP for Startup Strategy for New Entrepreneurs at The Combine on Lincoln Innovation Campus (remote option available), Thursday, Sept. 4, 12-1 p.m.
  • Join AI Omaha for Generative AI at Kiewit: Laying the Foundation for Smarter Work, Thursday, Sept. 4, 5-6:45 p.m. at Kiewit La Vista.
  • Sign up for the Customer Acquisition & Market Research webinar with Entrepreneur’s Education Collaborative, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. online.
  • Register for Collaborative Futures: A Regional Economic Development Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue. 
  • Celebrate the Commonwealth Omaha Grand Opening, Friday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at The Commonwealth coworking space in Omaha.

See more events on SPN »

ICYMI: Updates from around the ecosystem

  • Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship releases 2024-2025 annual report
  • Meet Jenilee Woltman, founder and creator of Mission Accomplished, in the latest Prairie Portrait
  • The Omaha Data Science Academy received accreditation in Nebraska
  • With a new entrepreneurship space and housing boom, Hastings aims for breakthrough growth
  • SPN Exclusive: NU President Jeffrey Gold responds to uncertainty after more than $50 million in federal research cuts

Have an announcement or event you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter? Send it to tips@siliconprairienews.com.

Until next week!

Sincerely,

Stefanie Monge, SPN Editor

Stefanie Monge, Executive Editor

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