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IO2026 Summit to convene ‘ties and T-shirts’ for corporate-startup learning and networking on Midwest innovation
The Lincoln event comes every two years, with this year’s theme being “the art and science of innovation.” Organizer Brian Ardinger sees an opportunity to refocus on human needs in the age of AI innovation, and for deep connections between established businesses and startups.
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New data confirms Omaha struggles with wages and jobs as the Greater Omaha Chamber rallies for the city at its annual meeting
The chamber’s annual meeting included a presentation from labor consulting firm Lightcast about Omaha’s challenges and opportunities. Still, the meeting focused on uplifting and celebrating the local business community to chart a way to revitalization.
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Nebraska companies, including Grain Weevil and Sentinel Ag, win top engineering awards in a show of momentum for the agtech ecosystem
Six of the 33 companies that won 2026 AE50 awards are in Nebraska. The strong showing is a win for Nebraska’s investment in agtech, including with resources like The Combine and Grit Road Partners. Advocates see this as the start of the state’s agtech journey, with more resources needed to maintain momentum.
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To solve poverty and workforce needs, Kellee Mikuls applies startup lessons from Swishboom to help Ignite Nebraska grow
Mikuls, the executive director of Ignite Nebraska, learned how to lead and solve problems with a startup mindset when founding Swishboom. The child care startup shuttered in 2023, but she found her skills can also work in the nonprofit world and help Nebraska in other ways.
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In 2025 report, UNeMed celebrates startups and new records with inventions and patents
UNO and UNMC innovation looks up despite rocky federal research funding as startups supported by UNeMed continue to make headway with FDA approvals and new products on the market.
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Nebraska grants approval for Telcoin to open the first-ever regulated digital asset bank in the U.S.
Global fintech company Telcoin received the final charter approval on Nov. 12 from Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Pointing to policies such as the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act, experts said the digital asset industry is one of caution and economic opportunity for the state.
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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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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.
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JumpStart challenge winners announced at Silicon Prairie Startup Week in Lincoln
The $6,000 prize was split among three winning teams from the Oct. 6 JumpStart pitch competition, held as part of SPSW in Lincoln.