RETURNING FOR 2025!
October 6-11, 2025
A regional celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Nebraska with events in Lincoln and Omaha
SPSW Pitch Competition
SPONSORED BY
Ready to take your startup to the next level? Submit your application today and seize the opportunity to shine in the Silicon Prairie News Pitch Competition!
This high-energy event brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, developers and industry leaders to tackle real challenges from Nebraska’s top organizations.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, Sept. 27th — Lincoln
Don’t Panic Labs, 330 S. 21 St., Suite 200
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
10-Hour Challenge x JumpStart
Silicon Prairie News
NMotion
Don’t Panic Labs
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.
Monday, Oct. 6th — Lincoln
The Mill at Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Dr.
10:00 AM
Combine Showcase
The Combine
Connect with resources for agtech startups at The Combine incubator and accelerator.
11:00 AM
Building Software as a Non-Developer
CodeBuddy
Your business deserves software built for your processes, your industry, your way of working. CodeBuddy’s RIDE platform makes custom software accessible. See how the platform works in a live demo.
12:00 PM
10-Hour Challenge x JumpStart Final Judging
Silicon Prairie News
NMotion
Don’t Panic Labs
Final judging of solutions created by teams at the 10 Hour Challenge x JumpStart Challenge on Sept. 27. Prizes will be presented to the winners.
1:00 PM
Baird Holm Legal Office Hours
Baird Holm Attorneys at Law
Learn practical insights into the legal framework that supports business growth in Nebraska from experienced attorneys. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate the legal complexities of starting and scaling their businesses in the state.
2:00 PM
The Investor’s Decision: Beyond the Pitch
Nebraska Startup Academy
MOVE VC
Get a front-row seat to the decision-making process of top investors. This event will feature a live pitch from a startup founder followed by an unfiltered panel discussion with investors who’ll share how they assess the pitch, debate investment potential, and decide on their next move.
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Nebraska Innovation Studio: Past, Present and Future
Nebraska Innovation Studio
Join us to celebrate a decade of Nebraska Innovation Studio and the launch of the Frontier Tech Lab. Hear from current makers, staff, and partners on what’s been happening at the studio and meet the people who will shape the next 10 years of making. See projects that push the limits of traditional and digital fabrication.
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Maker Mondays Meetup
MakeShift
Each Monday, makers from surrounding areas come together and share the projects they’ve been working on.
Tuesday, Oct. 7th — Lincoln
Don’t Panic Labs, 330 S. 21 St., Suite 200
10:00 AM
Speed Networking
Hustle Conference
A curated speed networking event to help you make the right connections based on what you’re looking for right now.
11:00 AM
Venture Capital Office Hours
NMotion
MOVE VC
Nebraska Angels
A great opportunity to connect with investors, network and ask questions alongside other Nebraska founders and entrepreneurs.
TBD
How to Scale from 10 to 10,000
Silicon Prairie News
A conversation about the realities of what it’s like to scale your product and team as a startup from the ground up.
Throughout the Day
Don’t Panic Labs Coaching Sessions
Don’t Panic Labs
Get tailored advice on product development from the team of experst at Don’t Panic Labs.
TBD
Innovation and Economic Development
Silicon Prairie News
Innovation and entrepreneurship have the potential to contribute directly to economic development, especially in underserved areas. Hear from economic development experts on the opportunity to leverage entrepreneurship to grow Nebraska’s economy.
5:00 PM -8:00 PM
Tombstones and Milestones
NMotion
A celebratory event to honor Nebraska startups that have failed and the lessons learned along the way. Plus, cheering on milestones from startups that are finding success right now.
Wednesday, Oct. 8th — Omaha
The Ashton at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
1 Million Cups Omaha
1 Million Cups Omaha
1MC is a gathering for Entrepreneurs. Whether you have a startup idea, retired CEO or somewhere in between; 1MC cultivates an “each one, teach one” culture.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
1 Million Cups Lincoln
1 Million Cups Lincoln
1MC is a gathering for Entrepreneurs. Whether you have a startup idea, retired CEO or somewhere in between; 1MC cultivates an “each one, teach one” culture.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Venture Capital Office Hours
NMotion
Venture
A great opportunity to connect with investors, network and ask questions alongside other Nebraska founders and entrepreneurs.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Legal Office Hours
Baird Holm Attorneys at Law
Learn practical insights into the legal framework that supports business growth in Nebraska from experienced attorneys. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate the legal complexities of starting and scaling their businesses in the state
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Investor’s Decision: Beyond the Pitch
Nebraska Startup Academy
MOVE VC
Get a front-row seat to the decision-making process of top investors. This event will feature a live pitch from a startup founder followed by an unfiltered panel discussion with investors who’ll share how they assess the pitch, debate investment potential, and decide on their next move.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Get ’em, Keep ’em: Talent Attraction and Retention
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Join us in discussing the importance of talent attraction and retention for our community.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
AIM Institute Panel
AIM Institute
The demand for skilled tech professionals continues to outpace supply, putting innovation at risk. Leadership and professional development opportunities are essential to strengthening our region’s tech talent pipeline. Learn how AIM plays a role in talent transformation that fills critical gaps in the tech industry.
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Startup Showcase
Silicon Prairie News
Meet the 20 semifinalist Nebraska startups competing to become a finalist in the live pitch competition immediately following the showcase.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Pitch Competition
Silicon Prairie News
Open Range
Watch the top five scoring Nebraska startups compete for a $10,000 prize in the live pitch competition finale.
Thursday, Oct. 9th — Omaha
The Catalyst, 4601 Catalyst Court
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hustle Conference
Hustle Conference
Two days of keynotes, interactive workshops, panels, fireside chats and networking. Take deep dives on AI and other future-forward technologies and trends, explore strategies and tactics for growing your business, and help build and shape a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Midwest.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Federal Funding for Startups
Nebraska Business Development Center
NBDC and other experts share the ins and outs of procuring federal funding opportunities for your business in Nebraska.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
B.A.I.L. Legal Office Hours
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
BAIL stands for banker, accountant, insurance, and legal. These entities are crucial to the growth and proper development of a business and that’s why we want to provide you with access to quality information and on-site support.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
From Lab to Launch
Catalyst
Learn more about what it takes to develop research and scietific discoveries into an actual business.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Omaha: The AI City
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Omaha Chamber unveiled a new initiative designed to establish the city as a hub for artificial intelligence. In collaboration with Scott Data, the goal is to bolster local businesses and draw AI-focused companies to the area.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Design Thinking in Action
UNeMed
Tyler Scheer will lead a hands-on exercise in design thinking. Focused on human-focused problem solving, it’s uses a collaborative process that can applied to product development as much as social innovation.
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Hardhat Tours of UNMC’s CORE Building
Catalyst
There will be 3-4 tour guides taking 15 person groups to the UNMC CORE Building every 10 minutes from Catalyst. Signup will happen the day of. Depart from Catalyst, walk to the CORE site at 46th & Farnam. This is an active construction site. Be prepared and wear closed-toed shoes. Additional PPE will be provided.
Friday, Oct. 10th — Omaha
Heider College of Business at Creighton University
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Creative Mornings Omaha
CreativeMornings/Omaha
The world’s largest creative community; hosting local chapter events in cities around the world every Friday, Virtual FieldTrips every week, and job postings and company profiles via the CreativeGuild.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hustle Conference
Hustle Conference
Two days of keynotes, interactive workshops, panels, fireside chats and networking. Take deep dives on AI and other future-forward technologies and trends, explore strategies and tactics for growing your business, and help build and shape a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Midwest.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Resource Fair
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
The event will feature resource partners showcasing their support and services for small businesses. It is designed to connect entrepreneurs with essential tools, resources and experts to help them grow their businesses.
10:00 AM-11:00 AM
How to Tell Your Founder Story
Silicon Prairie News
Learn tips for how to be an effective storyteller when it comes to pitching your business to media, investors, potential partners and more.
TBD
Speed Networking
Hustle Conference
A curated speed networking event to help you make the right connections based on what you’re looking for right now.
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Art Factory: After Dark
Hot Shops Art Center
Step into the Art Factory and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind Hot Shops experience! This fundraiser will have interactive themed rooms with fiery live art, production rooms to create your own art, photo ops, DJ beats at the factory after-party, food, drinks, and unforgettable surprises around every corner.
Saturday, Oct. 11th — Omaha
UNO Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St.
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Breakthrough Weekend Short and Scrappy Edition
The UNO Center for Innovation Entrepreneurship & Franchising
Bring an idea to build or join a team. Build your idea in one day using rapid prototyping with CodeBuddy. Food provided.
SPSW SPONSORS
SPSW SPONSORSHIPS
If you’re ready to sign up for a Silicon Prairie Startup Week sponsorship package — or if you have any questions — reach out to our sponsorship team today!
LAST YEAR AT SPSW
Startup Week 2024
Silicon Prairie News joined forces with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development to present the inaugural Silicon Prairie Startup Week in an effort to transcend geographical boundaries and foster unity and inclusivity in the Nebraska startup community.