Lincoln-based startup Nestimate closed a $3 million seed round to advance its retirement income planning solution. The round had investors from Texas, California, New York and Nebraska, including some notable names in financial services. Nestimate was founded in 2022 in response to evolving business needs during COVID and changes to retirement savings rules, according to…

In late September, a statewide stroke conference showcased how technology can turn remote learning into a hands-on, collaborative experience. Hologram boxes, virtual reality headsets and interactive walls connected health care providers across four University of Nebraska Medical Center campuses to simulate an in-person learning environment. Attendees from Omaha, Kearney, Norfolk and Scottsbluff were able to…

Last week was jam packed with more than 30 events happening in Lincoln and Omaha for the second annual Silicon Prairie Startup Week. Thanks to everyone who supported and attended! You can let us know what you thought and how we can improve for future years in the 2-minute survey that was emailed yesterday. SPSW…

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…