The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship welcomed 33 student entrepreneurs into the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator this fall. The cohort includes students from seven colleges across campus and 23 undergraduate and graduate majors, with 25 first-year participants and eight returning for a second year.
Now in its second year, the accelerator expanded programming to support entrepreneurs across multiple stages of business development, laying the foundation for a three-year model. First-year participants receive guidance and resources to launch and grow their businesses, while second-year participants focus on scaling operations through workshops on funding, streamlining processes and building sustainable systems.
“The Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator is unique because it grows with students as they and their businesses develop,” said Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management and director of student business development for the center. “By building three years of accelerator programming, we’re not only helping students launch ventures but also equipping them to complete their college degree while preparing to operate their business following graduation to contribute to the economy and their community."
All participants receive a $1,000 scholarship, an individualized development plan, access to exclusive resources and workshops, and the opportunity to join structured mentor groups. Students are paired with mentors who provide specialized guidance and are organized into groups by industry or business scenario, such as startups with multiple founders. This year’s mentors include Bill Champion, '89, founder and president of Venel; Stephanie Dinger, '03, vice president of small business banking, Union Bank & Trust; Mary Lynn Fernau, '85, founder and CEO of The Fernau Group; Tom Welter, '88, COO of Empower Brands; Nancy Williams, managing partner of Block 27 Consulting; and John Wirtz, '05 & '06, co-founder of Hudl.
Second-year students continue to receive the scholarship and are eligible for travel funds to pitch at entrepreneurship competitions beyond campus. They also serve as peer mentors to the first-year cohort, offering year-long support including helping students prepare for the center’s 3-2-1 Quick Pitch competition in November.
“One of the most exciting parts of this second year is seeing students step into leadership roles with their peers,” said Mallory Krenk, student engagement and recruitment coordinator for the center. “Our returning student entrepreneurs are acting as peer mentors, sharing what they’ve learned and helping first-year participants. It’s a win-win because it builds community, boosts confidence and accelerates everyone’s progress together.”
Judy Gelber, a Ph.D. student returning for a second year in the accelerator, said the program has been especially valuable for fostering collaboration among students with different backgrounds.
“I have a medical background, not a business one, so even younger students have things to teach me and each other,” Gelber said. “I shared with the year one accelerator students that they need to own their uniqueness, bring what they have to the table and lean on each other to fill in the gaps. The accelerator gives you a reason to carve out time for your business, and this experience is what you make of it.”
Participants also gain opportunities to connect with local businesses and join workshops that provide assistance and feedback on creating prototypes, learning about funding options, establishing legal entities, developing marketing strategies, sourcing talent and planning for expansion.
“The accelerator connects each student to a carefully curated collection of exclusive resources and experts designed to support and grow a business or innovation,” Thomsen said. “This programming and the mentorship components provide a unique and holistic approach that leads to a supportive environment.”
The Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator is designed specifically for student entrepreneurs, aligning with the academic calendar and providing scholarships and support that help them build businesses while pursuing their degrees. Unlike many accelerators, participation does not require giving up equity.
“We couldn’t offer such a powerful experience to students without donor support,” Thomsen said. “Bill Champion took a leap of faith as our first donor supporting the accelerator’s programming and scholarships. Our cohort grew thanks to Ted and Nicole Stuckey’s program and scholarship support. We’re also grateful to Hubert and Stacy Ban, who provided funds for our second-year participants to travel to external competitions and gain more opportunities to secure vital startup funding.”
Students in the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator for the 2025-26 school year are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s). Students participating for a second year are also noted.
NEBRASKA
Bennington: Preston Guenthner, junior marketing
Cozad: Dante Dyches-Chandler, senior data science, year two
Grand Island: Carlos Ferrer Moya, senior business administration, year two; Kenny Morales, senior software engineering (Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management)
Lincoln: Hajer Al-eid, junior Clifton Builders management; Zorte Edo, junior marketing; Joseph Flodman, sophomore computer engineering, year two; Judith Gelber, Ph.D. student in human sciences with an emphasis in leadership studies, year two; Lena Lankas, senior business administration and computer science (Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management), year two; Max Petersen, senior marketing; Mohanendra Siddha, graduate student in computer science; Taylor Streich, junior Clifton Builders management; Mitch West, junior advertising and public relations, year two; Fritz Wolfram, senior chemical engineering
Murdock: Nathan Lockman, senior PGA golf management
North Platte: Logan Greeno, senior fisheries and wildlife
Omaha: Cecilia Beckerbauer, senior management (entrepreneurship and innovation) and computer science; Victor Chan, senior mechanical engineering; Landen Fogle, senior computer science and finance (Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management); Blake Kahler, sophomore marketing; Andreas Katsaounis, sophomore business administration; Wilson Overfield, senior computer science (Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management); Patrick Stolinksi, senior civil engineering
Raymond: Larkin Barry, junior marketing
Rising City: Alexa Carter, senior agricultural and environmental sciences communication
Stapleton: Lance Jones, junior agricultural economics and animal science
ELSEWHERE
Bull Valley, Illinois: Joseph Weinberger, junior Clifton Builders management
Leawood, Kansas: Mia Siner, senior accounting, computer science and management (entrepreneurship and innovation)
Bloomington, Minnesota: Frank Arth, junior finance, year two; Jackson Donley, sophomore management, year two
Waconia, Minnesota: Gavin Schneider, senior business administration
Brookfield, Wisconsin: Ryan Flatley, senior data science and mathematics
Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Bernardo Lopes, sophomore economics
