Bartholomew, who started Jan. 5, is an entrepreneur and business owner hoping to support all parts of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Top of mind: making sure all businesses know about and can access the founder community for help.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for IO2026: The Art & Science of Innovation. The innovation conference, held every two years, is happening at Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln on April 13. Keep reading to see what’s in store for this year’s event.

The program, run by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, aims to grow Lincoln’s economy by offering seed funding and the equivalent of $15,000 in business support to six companies.

See which stories were the most popular on SPN in 2025 in this year-end roundup.

An EDC is a common model in Nebraska to provide gap financing for small businesses while also supporting such workforce development needs as housing and business attraction. Learning lessons from its previous dependence on one employer, an EDC could anchor Sidney’s efforts to diversify its economy.

Pitch Black is a flagship event for the Midlands African Chamber, held during its conference of the same name. The competition will take place on May 2, 2026, with a grand prize of up to $15,000.

SPN is looking for Nebraska-based freelance writers to help tell stories about entrepreneurship and innovation across the state. The freelance program is a paid opportunity that will launch in January 2026. Keep reading to learn more about how you can get involved and what we’re looking for.

The 20-week initiative offers fellows access to support and resources to build working prototypes and new businesses. The Nebraska Innovation Studio hosts the program, which the Heartland Robotics Cluster made possible. Applicants of all backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to apply.

The event is open to the public and will take place on Nov. 13 at Millwork Commons in Omaha. While the job mixer is aimed at young professionals, organizers said anyone interested in networking with founders and pursuing a job at a startup company can attend.

The SPN team reflects on some of our favorite moments, events and takeaways from Silicon Prairie Startup Week 2025.