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.
UNO Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising
Pitch Competitions
Students, Entrepreneurs
Virtual preliminary rounds; final round at UNO, Omaha
Deadline: October 31, 2026
$1,000 in cash prizes
Cost not verified; the official UNO page does not state an entry fee
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.
Hybrid: virtual and in-person participation; national applicants
Deadline: November 1, 2026
$200,000 equity investment; additional investment possible based on milestones
Free to apply
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Small Business Administration / Veterans Business Outreach Center
Training & Development
Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses
Offutt AFB, 705 Nelson Drive, Room 206, Bellevue, Nebraska
Event: November 24, 2026
Free at participating installations
The SBA's Boots to Business entrepreneurial training program comes to Offutt AFB for a two-day, in-person session, free at participating installations.
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.
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
Researchers, Entrepreneurs, Students
Nebraska / Regional
Rolling deadline
$1,000 per team for customer interviews & invention development
Free
Free commercialization and customer-discovery training for technology-oriented researchers and entrepreneurs, plus $1,000 per team for customer interviews and invention development.
