x JumpStart Challenge
Sept. 27-Oct. 7, 2025
Lincoln, Nebraska
@ Don’t Panic Labs
330 S. 21st Street, Suite 200, 68510
🚀⏱️⚡️
Where Innovation Meets Impact
Are you ready to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions? JumpStart Challenge is back—we’re collaborating with 10-Hour Challenge to make it bigger, bolder and packed with opportunity.
This high-energy event brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, developers and industry leaders to tackle real challenges from Nebraska’s top organizations. Ready to jump in? Spots are limited. Choose your challenge and start building your future.
What’s the Challenge?
We’re flipping the script. Instead of pitching your startup, you’ll solve a problem pitched by a company or organization. These are real-world challenges—from agriculture tech to public health—and your solution could spark the next big startup.
We have three big categories (and if none of them inspire you, feel free to build whatever your heart desires):
A.I.
Civic Tech
AgTech
Stay tuned as more challenge details are released!
How the Challenge Works
10-Hour Challenge – Sept 27
See what you can build in 10 hours and decide if you want to go for the big prizes
- Quick connection activities
- Challenge presentations for the big three prizes
- Team formation
- Hackathon-style collaboration
- Award for best prototypes built this day
Build & Innovate – Sept 28–Oct 6
For those who chose to go for the JumpStart Challenge prizes, you get more time to prototype your solution.
- Ongoing hackathon-style collaboration
- Mentorship from past JumpStart founders
- Access to challenge sponsors and resources
Pitch & Celebrate – Oct 6–7
Present your solution to the challenge originators and judges.
- Lunch pitch event on Oct 6
- Awards at Milestones & Tombstones celebration on Oct 7
🏆 What’s at Stake?
- Cash prizes
- Potential pilots or partnerships with sponsoring organizations/corporations
- Design sprint workshops
- Mentorship and exposure
💡 Who Should Join?
- Innovators, designers, developers, students, and entrepreneurs
- Anyone with a passion for solving problems and building something meaningful
- Teams or individuals—come solo or bring your crew
Sponsors & Partners
For sponsorship information:
Contact Kathy Andersen at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
READY TO JUMP IN? ⏱️ 🚀⚡️
x JumpStart Challenge
Spots are limited. Choose your challenge and start building your future.
10-Hour Challenge x JumpStart Challenge is part of Silicon Prairie Startup Week. Learn more »