Open Range is a Nebraska-based nonprofit created to bridge and boost the startup hubs of Greater Omaha and Lincoln. The organization recently announced its latest founder cohort with Techstars and a new partnership with First National Bank of Omaha to develop programming for entrepreneurs.
Techstars is a global startup accelerator and professional network. Open Range was a key force in bringing Techstars to Omaha and has been the organizing entity behind finding Nebraska applicants and assisting them with joining the Techstars Founder Catalyst pre-accelerator.
Two cohorts have already occurred, with the first in the fall of 2025 and the second earlier this spring. The latest group is participating in the Techstars Founder Catalyst Global Fall 2026 Program, which lasts 10 weeks and consists of expert-led workshops and mentorship.
The five selected startups representing Greater Omaha and wider Nebraska:
- Enzo Clean: Sells hygiene and cleaning products for athletes and their equipment. Led by Tamio Stehrenberger.
- Etholytics: Offers machine learning technology centered on the monitoring and data collection of animal behavior. Led by Haley Beer.
- mNemo Automation: Builds secure artificial intelligence, custom apps and estate systems for homes and properties. Led by Jeremiah Jorgensen.
- Moonlit AI: Provides small businesses and marketing teams with data insights from analyzing their websites. The goal is to improve website functionality and customer experience. Led by Ashley Scalia.
- U-GoTrip: Helps travelers and their families plan and customize road trips on the go based on their wants and needs. Led by Ugo Okolo.
This cohort reveal comes as Open Range announces its official partnership with FNBO, which touts itself as one of the largest privately held banks in the U.S. and the largest bank in the state. According to the company, it has $35 billion in assets and is one of the largest agribusiness lenders in the country.
Open Range CEO Laurel Oetken said Open Range and FNBO are still in the works of figuring out specific programming to offer founders. However, she said FNBO was interested in appearing at community events, getting acquainted with entrepreneurs and their needs and helping them network and consider different financial pathways for funding their ventures.
Laurel said she also envisions opportunities for FNBO to offer insights to startups dabbling in the fintech space.
“We are excited to work alongside Open Range to help build the startup infrastructure that will support Nebraska’s next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Marc Butterfield, senior vice president of product and innovation at FNBO. “Strong founders create strong communities, and we are proud to play a role in that journey.”
FNBO is currently listed as a sponsor of the upcoming Startup Week scheduled for Nov. 16-21. Additional sponsors listed the Greater Omaha Chamber, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Invest Nebraska.
Startup Week is a week-long celebration of the Nebraska entrepreneurial ecosystem, targeting founders, investors, students, stakeholders and those curious about the startup scene. Open Range acquired Startup Week from SPN at the same time Omaha 100 acquired the publication earlier this summer.
Open Range Program and Events Manager Jocelyn Stange said the timing of Startup Week this year worked out to coincide with both local and international festivities. In addition to showcases of both the latest Techstars cohort and NMotion Accelerator Fall 2026 cohort, Global Entrepreneurship Week and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day will be taking place.
You can learn more about Startup Week, its updating agenda and how to get involved here.
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