Blog
June 21, 2020

Pipeline Progress: From Medical Devices to Virtual Reality to AI in Omaha’s Innovation Ecosystem

The Economic Development Administration's Good Jobs Challenge marks another milestone in Omaha's evolving innovation pipeline programs. The proposed Omaha AI Pipeline (OAIP) represents the latest evolution in a sequence of successful initiatives that began with the...

Omaha Startup Weekend: How to Build a Business in 48 Hours

Open Range and Techstars Omaha brought Omaha Startup Weekend back to town June 5-7, for a hugely successful event at Catalyst Omaha. After 20+ individual one-minute micro-pitches on Friday night from founders from the Midwest, 60+ attendees voted on their seven...

Forged and Ready: Steel Works Wraps First Cohort

When the Steel Works Health Accelerator launched, it was "only an idea on paper." Tyler Scherr, UNeMed’s Licensing Specialist and Business Development Manager, has now seen the program through to its conclusion. On June 10, the Steel Works Health Accelerator closes...

Entrepreneurship Is a Team Sport: What the MTVA Teaches About Relationship-Building

Entrepreneurship is often portrayed as a solo journey: one founder, one big idea, one breakthrough moment.  But inside the Maverick Technology Venture Alliance (MTVA) at the University of Nebraska Omaha, students learn something different. Innovation happens through...

Welcome to Catalyst, UNeTech Institute!

OMAHA, Nebraska — UNeMed Corporation and the UNeTech Institute have announced plans to share office space, a development that reflects the natural evolution of a working relationship that has grown steadily over many years. The two organizations, both rooted in the...

Hidden Startup Gems in Nebraska: Finding Your First Customers (the Right Way)

When Chad launched his logistics tech idea in Omaha, he assumed finding customers would be the easy part.  He thought: “I have a working prototype. Just find users. That’s what comes next, right?”  He was wrong.  For months, Chad marketed online, tweeted about the...

What Is … Product-Market Fit?

When founders talk about product-market fit, they talk about building something people want. They talk about finding their audience, getting traction, proving demand. Product-market fit is the milestone that means you've made it. It means you've built a product people...

What Warren Buffett Gets Right About Entrepreneurship Relationships

Warren Buffett has spent decades explaining how to build wealth. But some of his most important lessons aren’t really about money at all. In fact, one of his most famous reflections about success has almost nothing to do with investing. Speaking to students at Georgia...

Startup Update: Doug Miller

Oh my gosh, welcome to Start-Up Update. My name is Joe Runge and boy do we have a stellar show for you tonight. My guest is Doug Miller, original CEO and now CPO of Impower Health. What does the P stand for? You're going to have to read on to find out.Doug Miller,...

HOT TAKE: HR Hiring Needs an Overhaul to Function for Startup Culture

We met for coffee at Catalyst, a space buzzing with energy from the dozens of tech startups and entrepreneurs working on the next big idea. Dillon de Rozairo sat across from me, animated, leaning in when he got excited. He’s young, sure, but he runs his own...
What is … venture capital?

What is … venture capital?

If you are at all familiar with the world of investing, you have probably heard of venture capital. The risky, high-stakes method has become increasingly popular among investors who are looking for a high payout. When companies such as Facebook and Airbnb were in...

UNeTech hires new administrative projects associate

UNeTech hires new administrative projects associate

When UNeTech posted its administrative projects associate role, nearly 30 candidates made it through the HR screening and landed on the desk of UNeTech entrepreneur in residence Stephen Hug. Hug and his colleagues had the difficult task of interviewing numerous...

What is UNeTech, Residentially?

What is UNeTech, Residentially?

Entrepreneur in Residence – I really wasn’t sure what that meant when I wrote the job description. I didn’t know the responsibilities, the metrics for professional success, or even what the person holding that title did day to day. I’m just glad Stephen Hug’s on the...

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What is UNeTech, Curiously?

What is UNeTech, Curiously?

Elated. I was elated. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation made UNeTech part of its inaugural Heartland Challenge Program. Then I remembered: I’d promised to submit 30 SBIR/STTR applications in 12 months. I was in a pickle. I needed someone with amazing writing and...

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