Stefanie Monge

  • Omaha and Lincoln gain ground in 2024 Best of the Midwest: Startup City Rankings

    Omaha and Lincoln gain ground in 2024 Best of the Midwest: Startup City Rankings

    Nebraska’s two largest cities advanced in this year’s ranking of startup ecosystems by M25 and Midwest Startups. As a whole, Nebraska saw improvements across the board with rising investment and performance. Omaha and Lincoln had significant momentum. See how both cities stack up in the story.

  • Newsletter, August 7 – The Grove

    Newsletter, August 7 – The Grove

    Nebraska founders have a new resource available as the Nebraska Startup Academy opens its first physical space at Millwork Commons called “The Grove”. It’s a combined incubator and coworking space that currently houses eight startups and provides founding teams with curated curriculum, as well as opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.  The Nebraska Startup Academy (NSA)…

  • Newsletter, July 31 – EVs

    Newsletter, July 31 – EVs

    Nebraska is near the bottom of the list when it comes to EV adoption rates. “Range anxiety” is one common concern deterring potential new EV drivers who are worried about getting stranded without a charge. Current EV owners in Nebraska say access to charging options for their vehicle isn’t a problem today. But it could…

  • Newsletter, July 24 – AgTech Connect

    Newsletter, July 24 – AgTech Connect

    The third annual AgTech Connect convened startups, industry and producers from around the Midwest for a day devoted to learning about innovation in agriculture. The importance of connecting startups in the space with Midwest producers to drive real-world impact in the AgTech sector was a main theme throughout the event. Conference presenters included familiar faces…

  • Newsletter, July 17 – Robotics

    Newsletter, July 17 – Robotics

    A new industry-certified training program supported by the Heartland Robotics Cluster is upskilling Nebraskans to navigate a future or work that includes collaborative and industrial robotics. The training is available through the Nebraska Innovation Studio (NIS) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Innovation Campus. Private businesses are sponsoring employees and individuals to get industry certified using robotic…

  • Newsletter, July 10 – Sprinkk Facilities

    Newsletter, July 10 – Sprinkk Facilities

    In June, Tessa Porter, candy scientist and founder of candy development company Sprinkk, opened a pair of state-of-the-art facilities in Nebraska to help up-and-coming confectionists bring their sweet treats to market.  Porter and her team hope to play a role in reshaping how startup candy makers develop and test their new product ideas with the…

  • Newsletter, July 3 – Pitch Black

    Newsletter, July 3 – Pitch Black

    This year’s Pitch Black event marks the first time the Midlands African Chamber hosted a conference alongside the annual pitch competition. The 2024 Pitch Black Conference and Tech Showcase attracted a diverse group of entrepreneurs, and one lucky startup walked away with $10,000 for their business. Read more about the event and see the list…

  • Newsletter, June 26 – Monolith Expansion

    Newsletter, June 26 – Monolith Expansion

    Monolith is a clean energy company that pioneered a new technology to produce carbon black and hydrogen. Now Monolith is expanding its footprint—and economic impact—in Nebraska by moving its global headquarters to Lincoln. Methane pyrolysis, also known as methane cracking or methane splitting, holds promise for a range of applications related to efforts to reduce…

  • Newsletter, June 19: Nave Funding

    Newsletter, June 19: Nave Funding

    Nebraska AgTech startup Nave Analytics raised a $400k funding round to advance its irrigation efficiency technology and expand into global markets. The AgTech startup developed a sensor-free irrigation platform that equips producers with tools to make data-informed decisions about water use. For example, the software can collect environmental data to produce 3-D maps of water…

  • Newsletter, June 12: Pipeline Entrepreneurs

    Newsletter, June 12: Pipeline Entrepreneurs

    Pipeline Entrepreneurs is a Kauffman Foundation program designed to support high-growth entrepreneurs in the Midwest, specifically Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Despite the Kauffman Foundation’s new strategic plan to refocus its commitments to drive more impact in the KC community, Pipeline’s Executive Director Melissa Vincent says the Pipeline Entrepreneurs program plans to target their efforts in…