On May 1, on the eve of the Berkshire Hathaway weekend, the UNeTech Institute hosted Piece by Piece, an Investor Summit designed to bring together stakeholders from across the Omaha startup ecosystem. Held at the new Catalyst Building in Omaha’s EDGE District, it was a day full of energy, insight, vibes, and (most importantly) connection.
The summit was funded by a grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), written by my former colleague Jace Gatzemeyer as well as current UNeTech team members Stephen Hug, and Joe Runge. The goal of the grant is to expand investor education and build a stronger pipeline of local investors, not just for university innovation via UNeMed and UNeTech, but for the Omaha startup ecosystem as a whole.
Photo by Mike Machian
Building Connections Through Conversation
In my role as Community Engagement Coordinator, I have had the privilege of sitting in rooms filled with incredibly talented, passionate people. Over and over, I have heard the same thing: Omaha is resource-rich, but connection-poor. Piece by Piece was our response to that challenge.
We welcomed over 90 attendees including several from outside the state who were in town for the Berkshire annual meeting. It was a powerful reminder that talent and enthusiasm are already here, we just need more chances to collide, collaborate, and build something together.
Setting the Agenda
We kept the format simple and intentional: a series of moderated panels followed by time for small-group discussion at each table. Our goal was not to lecture, to suggest we had all the answers, or even to pretend there is one right answer. Our goal was to spark conversations that continue long after the event ends.
Stephen Hug curated the panels to reflect the natural lifecycle of innovation: beginning with inventors, then moving to entrepreneurs, and finally to investors. Each stage plays a vital role in taking an idea from the lab to the marketplace. Understanding that flow is key to building a healthier, more sustainable startup environment.
Entrepreneurs panel, left to right: Taylor Korensky, Doug Miller, Jonell Tempero, Sheila Fields, Stephanie Kidd and Stephen Hug.
Photo by Mike Machian
Investor Panel Left to right: Anna Slezak, Alexandra O’Hagan-Padron, Josh Nichol-Caddy, Mark Schindel, Shelby Strattan
Photo by Mike Machian
Entrepreneurship and “Brain Drain”
During lunch, Dr. Josie Schafer, Director of UNO’s Center for Public Affairs Research delivered a compelling keynote on Nebraska’s labor market and the impact of “brain drain.” While not everyone loves that term, the core issue is clear: we need to retain and attract talent. Entrepreneurship (and the new meaningful and potentially high-potential opportunities it can create) is one of the best strategies we have.
If you are looking for a more detailed breakdown of the panels, I recommend checking out the excellent coverage by Silicon Prairie News.
Dr. Josie Schafer presents the lunch keynote.
Photo by Mike Machian
Alec Gorynki and Scott Henderson announce “gr8 Plains” for spring 2026.
Photo by Mike Machian
Carrying the Conversation Forward
Piece by Piece was never meant to be a one-time event. It was a spark—an invitation to rethink how we support innovation in Omaha. And we are not the only ones thinking ahead: at the close of the summit, Scott Henderson of NMotion and Alec Gorynski of the Greater Omaha Chamber announced gr8 Plains, a new investor summit scheduled for May 2026.
At UNeTech, we look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead, leading into that event and far beyond.
