-

Buildertrend furthers its AI ambitions with the acquisition of early-stage startup BizJet AI
Buildertrend is an Omaha-based company that offers software solutions to assist contractors, remodelers and builders with managing projects. The 20-year-old business recently announced the acquisition of BizJet AI, bringing its co-founders – who have extensive careers in software and artificial intelligence – into Buildertrend’s team.
-

As AI cost and security concerns grow, CAN launches AI Workhorse to build secure nodes for Nebraska companies
AI Workhorse is a separate startup under the umbrella of Contemporary Analysis, which has seen the pitfalls of AI in its data science consulting work. In partnership with the nonprofit Scott Data Center, Workhorse hopes to kick off a local artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out for Nebraska.
-

Buildertrend built an AI chatbot to help customers. Here’s what it learned
The construction management company has gone all in on artificial intelligence, expecting all teams to experiment with the technology. The Bailey AI chatbot, first deployed in February, is a lesson in customer-facing use cases.
-

Five Things: 2026 CANalytics conference for data scientists
Speakers encouraged attendees to be more strategic about product development, from a clear-headed approach to prototyping to knowing that AI tools need to be rigorously evaluated before being deployed.
-

Highlights from IO2026: The Art and Science of Innovation
IO2026 happened Monday at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln. Event organizers designed the summit to focus on human needs in the age of AI innovation, and to foster deep connections between established businesses and startups. Check out highlights from the day.
-

Omaha-based Grapple raises $1 million to remove barriers to data analytics
Grapple compiles business data across sources onto a single, AI-powered platform in order for users to quickly access trends and takeaways. Founder and CEO Jack Sellwood described the importance of the local ecosystem on his journey and what’s in store for his company, including his participation in the California-based LAUNCH Accelerator.
-

Poll The Vote, aided by Scott Data incubator program, aims to put Nebraska govtech on the map
Heather Nelson is trying to make civic engagement easy with her survey platform that doubles as a kind of social media for elected leaders, candidates and local nonprofits. Poll The Vote is already being used in Nebraska to survey residents about different issues, including in cooperation with state legislators.
-

From hackathon idea to govtech startup serving Nebraska cities
After honing their startup idea at the 10-Hour Challenge last fall, two 23-year-old co-founders and co-CEOs of CityVerse AI have been driving across Nebraska to pitch their tool to city officials. Their tech platform for local governments is now in use in the cities of Omaha, Fort Calhoun, Hickman and York.
-

First CompanyCam built the data infrastructure, then a $2B valuation
Nebraska minted its first startup unicorn last year. Lincoln-based CompanyCam was officially valued at $2 billion as of August 2025. Founder and CEO Luke Hansen reflects on the journey to unicorn status and the role of AI in construction in this story from Startland News.