Metropolitan Community College soft-launched its new hub for entrepreneurial programming, coaching and workshops at Millwork Commons last fall. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place last week to mark its official launch and showcase its designation as Nebraska’s second Small Business Development Center. This means more opportunities for Omaha business owners.

SPN sat down with Build Más Co-founder and CEO Claudia Muñoz-Nájar following her decision to wind down operations in early 2026. She reflected on her startup journey and shared advice for other early-stage founders in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship hosted its annual Entrepreneur Awards on April 14 in Lincoln. Leaders and advocates, ranging from experienced entrepreneurs and mentors to student founders and faculty, received recognition at the event. Festivities followed the 39th annual New Venture Competition, a pitch competition targeting student-led businesses.

The Nebraska Business Development Center annually recognizes the work of entrepreneurs across the state with its NBDC Business Awards. Mission Accomplished Founder Jenilee Woltman was awarded for her efforts in strengthening her small-town community and launching an AI-powered app built for supporting neurodivergent children and their guardians.

There has long been talk about how the startup world and tech talent coming from Offutt Air Force Base can work together, but both communities are still siloed. Veterans of the Air Force who are now founders started the B2G guild to meet on the last Tuesday of each month and make a shift.

The 10-week pre-accelerator is available through the Techstars Omaha Startup Community Partnership, supported by the nonprofit Open Range. Selected founders gain access to a global network of mentors on top of hands-on curriculum.

Beam Finance Inc. offers finance-specific construction management tools to help with invoicing, estimates and other tasks. Lincoln-based CompanyCam recently achieved unicorn status with its own job site solutions. Founders from both companies discussed their continued commitment to builders and contractors.

The grant program stewarded by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development gives high-growth startups $20,000 in non-dilutive funds and $15,000 worth of business support services. The goal is to help these companies grow, scale and boost Lincoln’s economy.