November 11-16, 2024
A week-long celebration of the startup and entrepreneurial community in Nebraska.
Get ready for an unforgettable experience spanning three days in Lincoln, three days in Omaha, with additional events in Council Bluffs and Ashland.
Silicon Prairie News has joined forces with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development to present the inaugural Silicon Prairie Startup Week, kicking off November 11, 2024. This marquee event transcends geographical boundaries, fostering unity and inclusivity in the Nebraska startup community.
Silicon Prairie Startup Week is not just about celebration; it’s about meaningful content and connections. The programming is a collaborative effort that combines the strengths of SPN and the Chambers to foster more intentional engagement between the Omaha and Lincoln entrepreneurial communities.
Entrepreneurs, community members and supporters are all welcome to participate in this multi-day, multi-location event series from Monday, November 11 to Saturday, November 16. Meet fellow startup founders, shake hands with investors, connect with support organizations and learn more about the resources available to you.
STARTUP WEEK SPONSORS
Schedule of Events
Monday, Nov. 11 — Lincoln
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2024 IO Summit
IO Summit
The IO2024 Summit: Innovation Unfiltered is a one-day conference that brings together trailblazing startups, pioneering enterprises, and innovation champions for a dynamic day of ideas, insights, and pure inspiration – raw and unfiltered! Join them at Rococco Theatre, 140 N 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508. Please register for this affiliated event at: https://www.theiosummit.com/
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
UNL Center for Entrepreneurship Open House
An open house to meet the staff and faculty at the UNL Center for Entrepreneurship. This event will be held at the UNL College of Business, #315, 730 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68588.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Veterans Day Entrepreneurs Panel
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
A panel discussion featuring military veterans-turned-entrepreneurs sharing takeaways from starting and growing their businesses. This will be held at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 1128 Lincoln Mall #100, Lincoln, NE 68508.
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SPSW Kick Off Party / IO Summit Afterparty / NMotion Showcase
Silicon Prairie News
NMotion
A combined celebration with the IO2024 Summit and NMotion Showcase for the official kick off of Silicon Prairie Startup Week. Join us for food, drinks and a showcase of the NMotion Fall 2024 Accelerator Cohort. This event will be held in downtown Lincoln at the Rococco Theater, 140 N 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Tuesday, Nov. 12 — Lincoln
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Investor’s Decision: After the Pitch
Nebraska Startup Academy
The Nebraska Startup Academy hosts an engaging session where you’ll get a front-row seat to the decision-making process of top investors. This event will feature a live pitch from a startup founder followed by an unfiltered panel discussion with investors from MOVE Venture Capital Partners who will openly share how they assess the pitch, debate investment potential, and decide on their next move. Join us at The Combine, Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2125 Transformation Dr., Suite 1000 Lincoln, NE 68508.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
AgTech Lunch & Learn
Invest Nebraska
Join The Combine AgTech Accelerator for lunch and roundtable discussions with startup resource providers. This event will be held at The Combine, Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2125 Transformation Dr., Suite 1000, Lincoln, NE 68508.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Don’t Panic Lab Ideation Sessions for Innovators
Don’t Panic Labs
Join us for an interactive workshop led by Don’t Panic Labs and learn how to avoid the traps that capture most startups. Learn the time-tested processes and tools Don’t Panic Labs uses to bring innovators’ visions to life. Leave with a fresh view of the problems you are trying to solve and be better prepared to move your ideas forward. Limited spots available! This event will take place at Fuse Coworking, Fifth Floor, 151 N. 8 St., Lincoln, NE 68508.
Husch Blackwell Educational Event
Husch Blackwell leads an educational event related to legal considerations for founders. Event in Lincoln, with time and location to be announced soon!
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Lincoln Mystery Dinner
Silicon Prairie News
A small group dinner with strangers featuring a 3-course meal and facilitated conversation. It’s a Mystery because you won’t find out the location or theme until the day of! Space is limited, and this is a ticketed event, so be sure to grab tickets if you would like to join us!
Wednesday, Nov. 13
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
1 Million Cups Omaha
1 Million Cups Omaha
Every Wednesday, 1 Million Cups provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Join us Wednesday at Millwork Commons, The Ashton, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
1 Million Cups Lincoln
1 Million Cups Lincoln
Every Wednesday, 1 Million Cups provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities. Join us Wednesday at Turbine Flats, 2124 Y St, Lincoln, NE 68503.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Lincoln Office Hours – VC, Legal
Baird Holm Attorneys at Law
A chance to ask your general legal and funding questions related to starting or growing a business in Nebraska. Join us at Turbine Flats, 2124 Y St, Lincoln, NE 68503.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Omaha Office Hours – VC, Legal
Baird Holm Attorneys at Law
A chance to ask your general legal and funding questions related to starting or growing a business in Nebraska. MOVE VC, Baird Holm and Omaha Data Science Academy will be available to provide feedback to attendees. Join us at The Ashton, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Elevator Essentials | The Investor’s Decision: After the Pitch
Elevator
Ever wondered what happens in the minds of investors after a founder leaves the room? You’ll get a front-row seat to the decision-making process of top investors. This event will feature a live pitch from a startup founder followed by an unfiltered panel discussion with investors from MOVE Venture Capital Partners who will openly share how they assess the pitch, debate investment potential, and decide on their next move. Join us at Elevator Co-Warehousing, 1402 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Face the Chamber with Christie Stukenholtz
Senior Care Finder
A fireside chat with with Christie Stukenholtz, Co-Founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder. Event to be held at the Lincoln Country Club. Please register for this affiliated event at their site: https://lcoc.weblinkconnect.com/events/Startup-Week-Face-the-Chamber-with-Senior-Care-Finder-979/details
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Meet in the Middle with NBDC
The stretch of I-80 between Lincoln and Omaha can feel like a significant barrier to collaboration in Nebraska. The solution? Meet in the middle! In this session, skilled moderators will pose a challenge faced by the innovation ecosystem in Nebraska. Cross-disciplinary teams will work together to build potential solutions. Come prepared to stretch your thinking, collaborate with new partners, and bridge the I-80 divide. Lunch will be provided. Join us at Glacial Till Tasting Room, 1419 Silver St, Ashland, NE 68003.
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Startup Showcase & Pitch Competition
Silicon Prairie News
The Silicon Prairie Startup Week Pitch Competition is an exciting opportunity for Nebraska startups to pitch their innovative ideas, gain exposure, and compete for a cash grand prize. Join us at The Ashton, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102. There will be a startup showcase from 4:30-5:30pm with a finalists live competition from 6pm-7pm and a hosted happy hour and hors d’oeuvres throughout.
Thursday, Nov. 14 — Omaha
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Military Veterans Founder Panel
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
A panel discussion featuring military veterans-turned-entrepreneurs sharing takeaways from starting and growing their businesses. Join us at Nebraska Enterprise Fund, 2112 N 30th St Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68111.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Small Business Resource Fair
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
Join us for a science fair style showcase of Nebraska startup and business resource and service providers to answer your questions. Join us The Venue at Highlander, 2120 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111.
Husch Blackwell Educational Event
Husch Blackwell leads an educational event related to legal considerations for founders. Time and location to come soon!
Entrepreneurs and Friends
Founders helping founders is the theme of this event where you’re invited to come with an ask for the group and also a skill you can contribute to help others. The event will be held in Council Bluffs, with location and time to come soon!
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Creative Entrepreneurs Panel and Resource AMA
Join us for a panel discussion with creative entrepreneurs about how their views on risk and “failure” have evolved over time. Location to come soon!
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
UNeMed Startup Showcase
An opportunity for local investors and the entrepreneurial community to meet and hear a slate of carefully curated pitches from UNeMed’s portfolio of technology startup founders. Doors open at 4:30pm for libations and networking. Pitches will begin at 5pm starting with “mini-pitches” from select pre-raise startups before turning the stage over to startups actively raising investment. Happening at UNMC Catalyst Events Center, 609 S. 48 St., Omaha, NE 68132.
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
AIM Tech Awards
AIM Institute
AIM Tech Awards 2024 will honor the outstanding achievements of tech talent and recognize those who have made a profound impact within the local tech community. Hosted at Peter Fink’s Muscle Car Museum, 5808 N. 90 St., Omaha, NE 68134. Register for this affiliated event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-aim-tech-awards-tickets-780952328437?aff=SPN
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Omaha Mystery Dinner
Silicon Prairie News
A small group dinner with strangers featuring a 3-course meal and facilitated conversation. It’s a Mystery because you won’t find out the location or theme until the day of! Space is limited, and this is a ticketed event, so be sure to grab tickets if you would like to join us!
Friday, Nov. 15 — Omaha
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
BarCamp Silicon Prairie Startup Week
A “user-generated conference” where attendees sign up to present a lightning talk on the topic of their choice. Held at UNMC Catalyst Events Center, 609 S. 48 St., Omaha, NE 68132. Register here: https://spsw.barcamp.events/
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Maverick Venture Fund Small Business Boost
At the inaugural MVF Small Biz Boost, local small businesses will pitch to MVF Analysts for a chance to win $1,500 in non-dilutive funding for their business! Open to UNO/UNMC Students and Community Members. Light food and drink will be provided. Join us at Mammel Hall, Room 162 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68182. Register to attend: https://forms.office.com/r/in9F4cUvk2
Small businesses apply to pitch here: https://forms.office.com/r/r1sxEtg5pE
Saturday, Nov. 16 — Omaha
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
10-Hour Challenge
Join us for a 10-hour hackathon to build something cool with other smart folks from the Nebraska startup ecosystem. No team or idea required to sign up. Join us at Elevator Co-Warehousing, 1402 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102.
REGISTER TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT AT SPSW
Support A Unified Celebration: Bridging Communities For Purposeful Connection
Silicon Prairie Startup Week is a community-driven effort to strengthen the bonds that define our vibrant startup ecosystem.
Your brand can take center stage in this exciting venture, contributing to meaningful connections, knowledge sharing and economic development opportunities right here in Nebraska. Connect with us to explore various sponsorship opportunities.
Get involved early
Join us as a sponsor, volunteer or event host at Silicon Prairie Startup Week. Or just submit your ideas for making the week a success. We’d love your help!
Fill out our ideas and information form to get started today!
November 11-16, 2024