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In new reports, founders say access is uneven to Nebraska’s startup ecosystem as entrepreneurship grows
Three new reports from UNO give an updated look at the state of entrepreneurship in Nebraska while outlining the barriers that founders experience. Among the biggest concerns: a startup ecosystem defined by informal relationships in Omaha and Lincoln that can be tough to break into.
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UNMC announces new Office of Industry Engagement to bring funding and stability amid federal woes
The office will be tasked with streamlining how researchers work with industry partners as part of a larger strategy to bring in stable revenue. Traditionally, UNMC is reliant on federal funding through science agencies like the National Institutes of Health.
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Insurtech on the Silicon Prairie puts spotlight on AI, startups and regulators
The insurance industry is all in on artificial intelligence, with many ideas but little concrete benefit so far, said speakers at the insurance technology conference. For startups, that’s an opportunity to prove their solutions to industry problems.
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Business Innovation Act pause, AI and energy take center stage at third annual Tech Nebraska Summit
A soft relaunch for the Nebraska tech industry’s lobbying voice celebrated new Executive Director Emily Allen and zeroed in on current policy priorities. A sense of urgency permeated the event as the state gears up to address a $451 million budget deficit.
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Poverty elimination plans in Lincoln and Omaha focus on workforce development, face implementation challenge
The Nebraska Legislature mandated the plans, but it isn’t funding any of the follow-through, and federal cuts are likely to make poverty rates increase. But there’s still much the two cities can do.
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UNMC takes first steps in treating autoimmune disorders with a therapy originally used for cancer
CAR T-cell therapy uses re-engineered immune cells to attack diseases. After proving its effectiveness on cancer patients, it is now being explored as a treatment for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Nebraska Medicine and University of Nebraska Medical Center doctors treated the first patient in this new trial earlier this year.
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DED stops awarding funding for Business Innovation Act programs, offers no clear explanation
Nebraska’s startup community has worried for months about the future of the Business Innovation Act after it was targeted for funding cuts this past legislative session. Ecosystem leaders warn that if DED’s awards stop isn’t reversed, Nebraska innovation will suffer.
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At-risk federal SBIR funding is transformative for some Nebraska startups. Even with uncertainty, more should apply
A government shutdown, federal funding cuts and lack of congressional reauthorization is putting the Small Business Innovation Research program on the rocks. But speakers at a Silicon Prairie Startup Week panel encouraged Nebraska startups to still apply.
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Innovation Week to celebrate UNMC and UNO innovation, highlight what could be lost amid funding cuts and uncertainty
UNeMed, the tech transfer organization for UNMC and UNO, is holding a variety of events next week, including its annual Research Innovation Awards and a startup showcase open to the public to get a closer look at the work researchers do.
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Inaugural POWER Conference tackles Omaha workforce trends, focuses on education for evolving businesses
The Greater Omaha Chamber’s new conference guided participants across the nonprofit, business and government sectors on how best to grow and retain the city’s workforce. Breakouts spanned leadership development, data-led decision- making and how to better understand talent pipelines.
Lev Gringauz
