Funding, competitions, accelerators and training for Omaha-area entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Nebraska APEX Accelerator / NBDC + National APEX Accelerator Alliance
Events & Workshops
An online session on federal contracting accounting rules for businesses in SBA Mentor-Protégé relationships.
UNO Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising
Pitch Competitions
UNO/UNMC students practice a concise 90-second business pitch, compete in virtual preliminary rounds, and advance to the Nov. 11 final round for $1,000 in cash prizes and judge Q&A.
SHRM Labs
Accelerators & Fellowships
A 14-week accelerator for high-growth HR technology and workplace AI startups, with a $200K equity investment, customized advisory council, SHRM conference showcases and access to SHRM's employer/HR network.
Midlands African Chamber
Pitch Competitions
A pitch competition for emerging for-profit Nebraska/Iowa businesses whose applicant or 51%+ of ownership meets BIPOC, immigrant, or refugee eligibility. Finalists compete June 12, 2027.
PowerPath Collective
Events & Workshops
A free daylong PowerPath Collective gathering at Catalyst Omaha. Lunch is provided and advance seat reservations are requested.
Host not listed — contact Daphne Cook, (531) 622-2808
Events & Workshops
A hands-on workshop on using AI tools to build and refine your business plan, develop financial projections, and make data-informed decisions.
Open Range
Events & Workshops
One of the region's most important startup ecosystem events (Nov. 16–21), with programming on becoming a founder, raising capital, sales and marketing, innovation, ethical AI, and startup industries.
International Council for Refugees and Immigrants
Events & Workshops
A full-day summit for refugees and immigrants who want to start businesses and for entrepreneurs in their first five years of operation.
U.S. Small Business Administration / Veterans Business Outreach Center
Training & Development
The SBA's Boots to Business entrepreneurial training program comes to Offutt AFB for a two-day, in-person session, free at participating installations.
AICPA + CPA.com
Accelerators & Fellowships
A $25,000 grant plus approximately six months of coaching, mentorship, industry expertise, customer exposure and access to accounting and finance firms for seed to pre-Series A startups using AI in accounting, tax, audit, compliance, fraud or financial analytics.
Nebraska Enterprise Fund
Events & Workshops
A succession and exit-planning program covering business value, purchase agreements and strategies for a successful transition.
Sarpy County Chamber
Training & Development
A free one-year Sarpy Chamber membership plus education, mentoring and marketing exposure for businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
Entrepreneurs' Organization Nebraska
Accelerators & Fellowships
A growth accelerator for founders earning $250K–$999K a year who want to scale past $1 million.
Pipeline Entrepreneurs
Accelerators & Fellowships
Applications are open for Pipeline's 2027 programs — the Entrepreneurial Fellowship, a peer network for founders past the idea stage whose alumni have generated $2.9 billion in revenue, raised $900 million in capital, and created more than 5,000 jobs, and Pathfinder, a free companion track.
National Science Foundation / University of Nebraska at Omaha
Training & Development
Free commercialization and customer-discovery training for technology-oriented researchers and entrepreneurs, plus $1,000 per team for customer interviews and invention development.
Nebraska Business Development Center
Training & Development
No-cost one-on-one business consulting covering business planning, financials, marketing, and access to capital.
