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Entrepreneur Awards

New Venture Competition

In celebration of the local entrepreneurship community, the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship honors entrepreneurs and advocates for their innovation, success and entrepreneurial spirit. Nominations for award consideration will open in January 2024 and awards will be presented during the New Venture Competition reception on April 18, 2024.

Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award New Company Entrepreneur Award Start-Up Executive Award Entrepreneur Advocate Award New Venture Competition Grand Prize Winners

Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award

Presented to the founder of an established, successful entrepreneurial Nebraska company that inspires and demonstrates continued innovation.

Prior recipients include: Brett Thome, Spreetail; Matthew Wegener, ISoft Data Systems / Turbine Flats; Larry L. Snyder, Snyder Industries, Inc.; W. Patrick Clarke, Northstar Financial Services Group, LLC; David Graff, Brian Kaiser and John Wirtz, Hudl; Michael D. Hays, NRC Health

New Company Entrepreneur Award

Presented to a firm less than five years old that has proven successful in creating an innovative offering experiencing early growth and success.

Prior recipients include: Jordan Lambrecht, Karley Johnson and Tony Bertino, Pixel Bakery; Vishal Singh, QuantifiedAg; Matt Taylor, Tavern on the Square and The Other Room; Matt Medlock, Paysafe; Paul and Stephanie Jarrett, Bulu Julie Mahlock, Bloom.com; Blake Lawrence, Hurrdat / opendorse

Start-Up Executive Award

Established for a start-up person who made a positive and significant difference to at least one growth company.

Prior recipients include: Dillon Sadofsky, Presage Analytics; John Hogan, Home Instead Senior Care; Joseph Knecht, Venture Tech; Bill Hipsher, B2 Interactive; Joe Petsick, Proxibid; Thomas G. Guy

Entrepreneur Advocate Award

Presented to an individual who has made significant contributions in helping move Lincoln’s startup community forward.

Prior recipients include: Christina Oldfather, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development; Dan Hoffman, Invest Nebraska; Gregg Christensen, Nebraska Department of Education

New Venture Competition Grand Prize Winners

Each year, more than 60 student teams compete in a bracket format for the right to be crowned champion of the New Venture Competition. Four final teams will compete for prize money totaling $45,000.

Year Name Company
2023 Grace Clausen, Tristan Curd, Bridget Peterkin, Schadrack Shumbusho Dsylexico
2022 Seth Daup and Brooke Bode Cattle Kettle
2021 Hunter Suchsland & Cade Ludwig LS Lures
2019 Hannah Esch Oak Barn Beef
Alain Mutabazi and Kane Wellnitz Savannah Breeders Service
2018 Justin Collier and Lizz Whitacre Pawlytics
Joseph and Matthew Brugger Upstream Farms
2017 Grant Suddarth Terrace Ag
2016 Ryan Erdmann and Derek Nordgren Concise Research Group
2015 Thomas Frederick and Brock Smith T&B Innovations, LLC
2014 Grant Stahla Stahla Services
2013 James Verhoeff PickIt
2011 Ashley Nunnenkamp Pupkins Bakery
2010 Alex DeBrie & Michal Ritner Kid Safe-D Net
2009 Doug Fernaays IT Access
2008 Daniel Moore The Other Side Garden Center
2007 Christopher Kingsley Roundscape
2006 Heather Bittinger Great Plains Nursery
2005 Becky Deitenbeck Pampered Paws and Claws
2003 Jecek Woliek The Edmonton Tennis Center
Carly H. Grabner, Jennifer Vacek, Joel A. Masters, Dylan B. Cummings Nanny & Bompa, Inc.

Contact

Center for Entrepreneurship

entrepreneurship@unl.edu
HLH 315
402-472-3353