The hackathon-style event on Sept. 27 is a precursor to Silicon Prairie Startup Week 2025 programming. Attendees will form teams to build solutions for real-world problems posed by participating companies and organizations. Spots are limited. The event will include opportunities for insights, connections and prizes.

Amid a national environment becoming increasingly hostile to diversity work, the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE) initiative was rebranded, and its public accountability efforts are no longer on the website. Did it make a difference, and what do business diversity efforts look like moving forward?

The competition is hosted by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance. Nominations for the competition close July 31. Following a public voting period, the winner will be recognized at the NE Chamber Manufacturing Summit on Oct. 6.

Silicon Prairie News is expanding its team with the help of Report for America, a program that supports local news. Lev Gringauz will cover workforce development and corporate innovation in Nebraska’s tech ecosystem.

Nebraska employers are invited to take part in a statewide Software Engineering Skills Assessment designed to identify knowledge gaps and strengthen the state’s tech workforce. The 15-minute survey, open through July 11, provides companies with personalized feedback on their teams’ technical skills.

The following is a guest editorial authored by Natalie Micale, founder of Oh Hello Agency in Lincoln.

Omaha Performing Arts is piloting a new wearable technology that lets deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons feel live music and sound through touch. The SoundShirt, developed by UK-based CuteCircuit, transforms performances into immersive, multisensory experiences.

In northeast Nebraska, the lack of affordable, accessible child care is pushing parents out of the workforce and making it harder for businesses to hire. A new employer-backed initiative in Norfolk aims to change that by expanding capacity, supporting providers and creating a scalable model that could serve as a blueprint for other communities.

Omaha continues to outperform similar-sized cities with four companies on the 2025 Fortune 500 list, including Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific. Local leaders say the city’s strong corporate presence fuels economic growth, innovation and national recognition.