The 2026 JumpStart Challenge is fast approaching with the official kickoff and virtual overview of the reverse pitch competition taking place at noon on Monday, Nov. 2. The event is open to the public and has founders and builders of all backgrounds and experience come together to develop solutions for real problems pitched by real corporate sponsors.
The two-week building period, pitch day on Nov. 16 and concluding celebration that evening are part of Startup Week 2026 this year. All festivities will run from Nov. 16-21. Winners of the JumpStart Challenge will be announced during the Startup Week Launch Party.
Open Range Program and Events Manager Jocelyn Stange said the JumpStart Challenge is acting as the headline pitch competition this year during Startup Week. During Silicon Prairie Startup Week in previous years, there was a dedicated pitch competition — separate from the JumpStart Challenge — for Nebraska founders to share their businesses and compete for prize money.
Stange said Open Range is interested in doing a larger pitch competition for future Startup Weeks, but featuring the JumpStart Challenge this year is the organization’s way of filling that interest.
Open Range is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting and supporting the Greater Omaha and Lincoln startup hubs. The organization acquired Silicon Prairie Startup Week from SPN earlier this summer.
The winning prize packages:
- $2,500 for choosing to solve one of the two corporate problems or $1,000 for choosing to solve the ecosystem problem
- A guaranteed spot to continue working on the solution and receive additional assistance during Startup Weekend 2027 (another hackathon-style event hosted by Open Range)
- Multiple meetings with the problem providers, establishing connections with a potential customer
- Consultations with Don’t Panic Labs, a Lincoln-based software and consulting company, and NUtech Ventures, the commercialization and tech transfer office for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Logo design by Secret Penguin, a brand creation and management agency
The participating organizations include First National Bank of Omaha and Olsson for pitching the corporate problems. The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will be providing the ecosystem problem. All the problems will be unveiled on Monday, and sponsors will be open for feedback and communication with participants.
Stange said Open Range sought to be mindful on how to increase the visibility and participation in the JumpStart Challenge, from the virtual kickoff to a dedicated workday and opportunity for mentorship on Nov. 7 at DPL.
Individuals don’t need to form teams prior to the kickoff and can work independently.
“We’re not necessarily looking for somebody who has a ton of experience being a founder,” Stange said. “It’s just looking for people that know how to be creative, be innovative and solve issues that these organizations are facing.”
Stange said a recording of the overview webinar will be released for those who are unable to attend. She added that she and the team are available to answer any questions regarding the competition.
Past participants in the JumpStart Challenge have led to real companies, such as FanWord and SheMate in the sportstech space, and exits, such as LiveBy in the world of real estate.
You can learn more about the JumpStart Challenge and how to get involved here.
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