Silicon Prairie Startup Week events officially kicked off over the weekend with the 10 Hour Challenge x JumpStart Challenge at Don’t Panic Labs in Lincoln. Around 60 people showed up for a 10-hour sprint to build their ideas. In the end, 10 teams pitched. Some teams will continue iterating on their concepts to pitch again…

Multiple new reports say the Omaha and Lincoln metros — Nebraska’s economic powerhouse — are losing jobs and wages to other metro areas. Finding solutions means tackling complex questions about what Nebraska’s economy looks like and what leaders mean when they talk about growth. The data reveals a more nuanced view of just who is…

The Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator at UNL is giving students the chance to grow their businesses while still in college. From scholarships and mentorship to peer groups and practicum credit, the program is shaping the next generation of founders in Nebraska. The accelerator is now in its second year with members of the inaugural cohort continuing…

Access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for Nebraska small business owners. A new $500k microloan fund launched by the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange aims to change that. The fund marks a first-time collaboration between the Urban League of Nebraska, Invest Nebraska and Nebraska Enterprise Fund. The initiative combines financing with training, mentorship and…

The SPN Ecosystem Project is a multimedia series tracing key players, startups and events that have shaped Nebraska’s entrepreneurial landscape since the early 2000s. The series blends SPN’s archival content with new reporting to explore how the ecosystem has evolved and the individuals who helped build it. This installment spotlights Karen Borchert, founder and CEO…

Makers who want to operate out of a physical retail location have a new option to sell their wares. Makers Street in Omaha’s Old Market offers a shared storefront where local makers can sell handmade goods without the burden of running a store on their own. Since opening in June, the collective has become a…

The countdown to Silicon Prairie Startup Week has officially begun! The SPSW Pitch Competition sponsored by Open Range is accepting submissions now through Monday, Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Nebraska startups have the chance to win a $10,000 cash grand prize or be named the people’s choice winner and receive a $2,500 cash prize.…

In 2022 and 2023, a group of around 10 representatives from the startup community in Omaha and Lincoln took part in a program to accelerate entrepreneurship in Nebraska. They traveled to different cities, including Boston and Perth, Western Australia, on a mission to learn from peers and experts.  The goal: To define the “must-win battles”…

A seasoned economic development professional with national experience and Nebraska ties has been named the executive director of the Omaha Inland Port Authority. Garry Clark’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment as the port authority is advancing two cornerstone initiatives: a $90 million Airport Business Park and a $30 million Innovation District designed to foster…