Silicon Prairie News

View this email in your browser

newsletter, April 22 – Werner

Werner Enterprises and the Nebraska Startup Academy have teamed up on an accelerator for early-stage logistics and transportation startups. The inaugural cohort is just kicking off.  

Werner is no stranger to the Nebraska startup ecosystem. The company has a track record of supporting startups in developing their products, and has participated in corporate pitch days in collaboration with the Nebraska Startup Academy.

Startups in the new accelerator will have access to office space and support from Werner and the Nebraska Startup Academy over a 12-week period capped off with a virtual demo day for investors.

Meet the startups in the first cohort in the story on SPN.

Upcoming Events

  • Sign up for Blueprint to Business interactive business plan workshop, Thursday, April 23, 4-5:30 p.m., at Central Community College – Kearney Center.
  • Stop by Founder Friday happy hour, Friday, April 24, 4-5 p.m., at Boiler Brewing Company in Lincoln.
  • Connect with local, state and federal government buyers at Meet the Buyers 2026 | Virtual Conference, online April 28-30.
  • You’re invited to Idea Pub: Startup Showcase, Thursday, April 30, 1-3 p.m., at Catalyst Omaha in the EDGE district. 
  • RSVP to the May AI Omaha meetup, AI in Action: From Strategy to Real-World Impact, Thursday, May 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Farm Credit Services of America.

See more events on SPN »

ICYMI: Updates from around the ecosystem

  • Stuck in neutral: Nebraska used to be a leader in creating job and spurring growth. Not anymore.
  • Meet Mindy Ware from UNeMed in the latest Prairie Portrait
  • Highlights from IO2026: The Art and Science of Innovation
  • ‘A lighthouse in Nebraska’: How Lincoln-based Nelnet helped supercharge the local startup ecosystem

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

Learn more about SPN sponsorship opportunities »

Support SPN

Silicon Prairie News is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity

DONATE

Follow SPN

Facebook • Instagram • X • YouTube • LinkedIn

Copyright 2025 Nebraska Journalism Trust. All rights reserved.