Startup Omaha Week
September 25-29, 2023
What It’s All About
Startup Omaha Week is a week-long celebration in Greater Omaha celebrating and supporting the local startup and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Entrepreneurs, community members and supporters are all welcome to participate in Startup Omaha Week.
This year, we’ll be hosting our multi-day, multi-location event from Monday, September 25-Friday, September 29, 2023. Come and meet with fellow startup founders, shake hands with investors, meet with support organizations, and learn more about the resources available to you. This year’s events will range in topics, format, and settings to ensure a variety of ways to engage and experience all the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystems have to offer.
Startup Showcase & Pitch Competition
Get Started Omaha is a showcase and pitch competition that highlights entrepreneurship and innovation in the Omaha community. The event is held in collaboration with Startup Omaha Week, and it welcomes all founders, funders, business leaders, and community members.
The pitch competition will showcase the best and brightest early-stage businesses in the Omaha area, with a prize package of $25,000, plus services and products. Each round of the competition will be judged by members of the Omaha startup ecosystem.
Startups interested in participating must apply by August 31, 2023. Deadline Extended to Tuesday, September 5th at Noon.
September 25 – 29, 2023
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 25, 2023
Get Started Omaha Startup Showcase
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons,
1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join us for a Startup Showcase featuring a select number of companies from Omaha and greater Nebraska. Companies participating in the Get Started Omaha Showcase are also competing to be a finalist in the pitch competition immediately following and for their chance at a $25,000 grand prize. This is one event you won’t want to miss.
Get Started Omaha Startup Pitch Competition Sponsored by Husch Blackwell
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Location: The Living Room at Millwork Commons,
1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Husch Blackwell teamed up with Startup Omaha Week this year to put on a pitch competition, Get Started Omaha. Selected companies participating will be at the showcase prior to this event and will compete to be a finalist for the grand prize of $25,000. Finalists for the pitch competition will be announced in real-time at the showcase event. The pitch competition will kick off promptly at 6:00 pm, don’t miss your chance to see this year’s biggest competition yet in the startup community.
Startup Omaha Week Kick-Off Event
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Location: The Living Room at Millwork Commons,
1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join us following the Get Started Omaha Showcase and Pitch Competition for our kickoff event to commence Startup Omaha Week this year. This celebration of our startup ecosystem will be one to remember. Expect, a DJ, and a ton of fun! While pre-registration is not required, the first 100 to sign up to attend will receive one free drink ticket for the event. Register today!
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Educational Event: Startups vs. Small Business
11:00 AM-12:00 PM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the Nebraska Startup Academy for part one of two educational events during Startup Omaha Week. During part one, learn the distinct differences between startups and small business, what investors consider and what you need to know before starting or scaling up your business.
Legal Office Hours hosted by Baird Holm LLP
12:00-1:00 PM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the team of legal experts from Baird Holm for one of three sessions Startup Omaha Week for legal office hours immediately following the Startups Vs. Small Business educational event.
Mug.News & Maverick Venture Fund Social
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Come share drinks, appetizers and great company as we connect the startup, investing and philanthropic communities in Omaha at one of Omaha’s coolest up and coming hubs for innovation, Millwork Commons.
Startup Omaha Week Mystery Dinners
7:00 PM | Location: Varies Across Downtown Omaha | $35
Get face to face with someone new, around a meal for good conversation. We’re hosting mystery long-table dinners around downtown on Tuesday of Startup Omaha Week. This is for those looking to get inspired by entrepreneurial pursuits and are not afraid of the unknown. It will be a sharing of our own life experiences around starting, creating, and dreaming.
This year’s mystery dinner discussions will all revolve around the same word. Unlike last year, you won’t know the word until you get to the dinner! What’s a mystery dinner without a little mystery?
To secure your spot at a dinner, you must register and purchase your $35 ticket using the link below. Your dinner host will be in touch prior to the event to ensure you have no dietary restrictions and to let you know the location of your dinner. Save your spot before all spots are filled!
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
1 Million Cups Omaha Funding Panel
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Discover and learn from Omaha and Nebraska’s funding community. Panelists will share about their various funds or funding opportunities, and their opinions on when and when not to take capital and will answer audience questions.
Venture Capital (VC) Office Hours
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the team from MOVE Venture Capital and panelists from the1 Million Cups event for Venture Capital (VC) office hours immediately following the 1 Million Cups funding panel.
Legal Office Hours hosted by Baird Holm LLP
9:00-11:00 AM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the team of legal experts from Baird Holm for one of three sessions Startup Omaha Week for legal office hours immediately following the 1MC funding panel and during VC Office Hours.
Nebraska Enterprise Fund Small Business Clinic
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Location: The Highlander at Seventy Five North, 2112 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111
Join Nebraska Enterprise Fund and resource providers within the greater Omaha community for their fall Small Business Clinic. Gain invaluable knowledge, connections and opportunities for growth from counseling startup companies, entrepreneurial experts, non-profits and more.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) Awareness & Business Impact
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Location: Nebraska Enterprise Fund 2112 N 30th St. Omaha, NE 68111
Join the Nebraska Enterprise Fund as they discuss what all the talk is about with AI and understanding the impact on your business.
- What is Ai?
- What is ChatGPT and how do you use it for business?
- How will it or can it impact my business? (Positively or negatively).
- What should I know to protect my business?
Woman Up – Unleash Her Potential
Time 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Location: Hitch, 7013 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132
Calling all ladies who are founders, entrepreneurs, small business owners, or dream of being one of the above! Join us for an expert panel discussion featuring accomplished women founders across diverse sectors. Engage with these innovators as they delve into pertinent issues, providing invaluable insights designed for women. This event offers a unique platform to connect, learn and be inspired. Participate in this enriching discourse and elevate your professional journey and connect with like-minded women.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Educational Event: Startup Fundraising in Nebraska: Founder vs. Investor
9:30-10:30 AM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the Nebraska Startup Academy for part two of two educational events during Startup Omaha Week. During part two, learn more about the fundraising landscape in Nebraska, what investors actually look for when deciding to invest and what to consider going into a pitch with an investor in Nebraska or out-of-state.
Legal Office Hours hosted by Baird Holm LLP
10:30-11:30 AM | Location: The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons, 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102
Join the team of legal experts from Baird Holm for one of three sessions Startup Omaha Week for legal office hours immediately following the startup fundraising in Nebraska educational event.
Scale Omaha Fireside Chat: Founding and Scaling Opendorse with Adi Kunalic, Co-Founder
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Location: Modus Co-Working, 1901 Howard St, Suite #300, Omaha, NE 68102
Scale Omaha provides monthly events with opportunities for successful entrepreneurs in our community to share their stories and insights. These events are meant to bring together the startup community and those interested in seeing tech grow in Omaha. Scale Omaha is all about being able to tap into the largest community of startups around the world, make meaningful connections, and gain inspiration about the startup journey. The guest speaker for this event will be announced leading up to Startup Omaha Week.
Friday, September 29, 2023
Entrepreneurs and Favors (AF)
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Location: River’s Edge Pavilion at 4250 River’s Edge Parkway, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Calling out all entrepreneurs, no matter where you’re at in your adventure, we all need favors. Entrepreneurs AF was born to create connections among the entrepreneurial crowd and offer up both tangible and intangible support. It’s a straightforward setup: bring your ask, we’ll group you with others when you arrive, and you’ll begin trading favors.
So, what is an ask? Well, it could be anything – like needing connections, seeking feedback, wanting some guidance, or throwing out a request. No matter if you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, you’ll be dishing out and soaking up support from the community. This event is all about connecting you with fellow entrepreneurial spirits who are either just diving in or have been on this ride for a while. And just by being there, you’ll give them a boost too!
We’re here to take away the jitters of going to networking events in search of connections and help. We keep the convo flowing naturally while letting things unfold in their own groove.
Registration is open to 30 individuals – so sign up while you can!
SPN Office Hours presented by ELS & Nebraska Angels
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Location: Elevator Co-Warehousing, 1402 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102
Join us for a special live edition of SPN Startup Office Hours sponsored by Enterprise Legal Studio & Nebraska Angels! Office Hours will take place at Elevator,1402 Jones Street, from 4-5pm, featuring an AMA with exit-ed founders and ecosystem builders. We’ll host a 50-minute candid panel discussion including time for audience Q&A. Followed by 30 minutes of open networking.