Published 1/20/2016
Lincoln is growing as a place for entrepreneurs, and part of the “Silicon Prairie.” To encourage growth, Lincoln should focus on:
- Increasing access to capital
- Increasing innovation through collaboration
- Offering entrepreneurship training
A recent article provides seven reasons to pay attention the strong tech start-up community in Lincoln http://siliconprairienews.com/2015/09/7-reasons-why-you-should-pay-attention-to-lincoln. Close attention to promoting small businesses and startups will create a healthy economic ecosystem.
Access to Capital
Nebraska Enterprise Fund: The Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) has capital funds available to provide gap financing for small/micro businesses. NEF also loans capital to microenterprise development organizations and community economic development programs for revolving loan fund purposes. http://www.nebbiz.org
Nebraska Global: We are a venture capital fund founded on the idea that when nerds and money meet, amazing things can happen. We invest in viable, long-term software companies and seek to build an influential technology environment in Nebraska. http://www.nebraskaglobal.com
Nebraska Angels: The Nebraska Angels are a network of 60 active, local angel investors. Since inception, the Angels have deployed over $9M in capital, investing in early-stage, high growth opportunities. We’re passionate about startups and helping entrepreneurs take their venture to the next level with the necessary capital. http://www.nebraskaangels.org
Dundee Venture Capital: Dundee Venture Capital invests $50,000-$750,000 in high-growth, early-stage technology companies. We will invest across industries in founding teams we believe in, but shy away from life sciences and hardware. We like to invest in what we know. For that reason, most of our investments are in e-commerce, B2B SaaS, or consumer networks. http://dundeeventurecapital.com
Nebraska Millions: A group of Nebraska business owners have formed a new angel investment fund. The organization will focus on funding start-up companies with investments by the group ranging primarily from $25,000 to $250,000 per company and it is willing to support the start-ups with not only a financial investment but also hands-on management, technology and marketing support. Nebraska Million, will also be looking to invest in existing businesses whose owners want to retire. http://journalstar.com/business/local/new-fund-called-nebraska-million/article_431e387f-03d5-5899-8f56-a2ecd67dde55.html
Creating an Ecosystem:
Innovation
Innovation Campus: Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) is a research campus designed to facilitate new and more in-depth partnerships between UNL and the private sector. http://innovate.unl.edu
AIM: AIM is a not-for-profit community organization that promotes technology to empower people, enhance organizations, and create brilliant communities. Our core mission is IT talent development, from early student interest – to linking people to careers – to ongoing IT career development. http://aimforbrilliance.org
NMotion: is a mentor-driven, education-focused, startup accelerator based in Lincoln, Nebraska. They focus on high-growth software and technology-based businesses in targeted industries of agriculture, education, finance/insurance, healthcare, human resources, and sports. http://www.nmotion.co
Non-Profit Hub: And you’ll find a whole lot of heart thriving between these four walls. The Lincoln Nonprofit Hub space is bursting at the seams with local nonprofit talent deadset on making the world a better place. http://lincoln.nonprofithub.org
NUTech Ventures: a UNL-affiliated agency that helps to connect university and industry innovation resources. Resources include patent application support, commercialization process, promotion, and technology. http://www.nutechventures.org/
Networks
FUSE Co-working: A co-working location for entrepreneurs and telecommuters to work in an office space with other entrepreneurs, technology access, and collaborative opportunities. http://www.fusecoworking.com/
RISE: A motivating series designed to connect the community of Lincoln’s women business leaders. Come, meet, and learn from brilliant women just like you. http://www.riselincoln.org
YPG: The Young Professionals Group of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. The Lincoln Young Professionals Group is dedicated to empowering young professionals with educational, leadership and networking opportunities. Serving 900+ members, the Lincoln Young Professionals group is one of the largest in the country. Lincoln keeps its young professionals here by fostering a collaborative community enriched with a bolstering economy, connectivity and endless opportunities for its people to flourish. Lincoln Young Professionals group believes in Lincoln, members can make the difference they want to see, develop a career that is pleasing to them and grow into the professional that they want to be. http://www.lincolnypg.com
Entrepreneurship Education
Southeast Community College Entrepreneurship Center: The SCC Entrepreneurship Center is a full-service resource hub for entrepreneurs in all stages of the business development spectrum from idea to growth and expansion. We offer business coaching, business planning assistance, funding preparation assistance, business incubation, and entrepreneurial educational opportunities. https://www.southeast.edu/entrepreneurship/
Straight Shot: Straight Shot provides entrepreneurs employing e-commerce and software as a service business models with a direct path to revenue, advisors, technology needs, and more. Straight Shot’s vision is to make Omaha a regional entrepreneurial hub and show the world our region is a uniquely qualified place for innovative talent to be developed and nurtured. Straight Shot contributes to this effort by providing an annual technology accelerator for rising companies as well as through strategic partnerships within the greater Omaha corporate community. http://straightshot.co
Startup Lincoln: Startup Week is a five day celebration of your community. Join your community in a new type of conference that builds momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship, led by entrepreneurs and hosted in the entrepreneurial spaces you love. Startup Week is a reflection of your hard work and your community’s unique entrepreneurial identity. https://www.facebook.com/StartupLincoln and http://lincoln.startupweek.co/
System-level Resources for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Community Development Resources: Community Development Resources is a Non-profit 501 c 3 organization whose mission is to provide capital, technical assistance, and training opportunities for small business in the State of Nebraska. http://cdr-nebraska.org/site/
Nebraska Department of Economic Development: Talent and Innovation Initiative, several programs to assist and grow Nebraska’s start-up businesses. http://neded.org/business/talent-a-innovation-initiative
Nebraska Business Development Center: NBDC consultants help Nebraska businesses grow and create new jobs. Experienced certified consultants provide confidential, impartial consulting services and educational opportunities for established and startup businesses, as well as researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals. http://nbdc.unomaha.edu
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