The University of Nebraska–Lincoln recognized eight outstanding entrepreneurs, advocates and educators at the awards celebration following the 38th annual New Venture Competition on April 15. Hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship, the annual Entrepreneur Awards celebrate individuals and ventures making significant contributions to Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“This year’s honorees exemplify the innovation, leadership and passion that define our state’s entrepreneurial spirit,” said Sam Nelson, Bauermeister Family Presidential Chair in Entrepreneurship, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and associate professor of practice in management. “These individuals inspire others through their commitment to building businesses, supporting students and strengthening Nebraska’s startup culture.”

Jeff Vaske Service in Entrepreneurship Award – Tom Welter, '88

Tom Welter, ’88, chief operating officer at Empower Brands, was recognized for his selfless mentorship and exceptional service to the Center for Entrepreneurship. Welter serves on the Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and as an entrepreneurship community fellow. Across multiple semesters, he provided students and members of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator with personalized guidance, professional insights and unwavering support. Known for bridging classroom learning with real-world application, Welter opens doors for students and fosters connections that shape ventures and lives.

"It's been an absolute pleasure to give back to the University of Nebraska community I love so much," said Welter. "I've had the unique opportunity to work with terrific brands, small and large, and am fortunate to share my experience. These students are impressive with their sophistication and development of concepts. It will be great to see what they do in the future."

Jackson Donley, a sophomore management major and member of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator from Bloomington, Minnesota, earned first place and $15,000 in the New Venture Competition held in conjunction with the awards celebration. He credits the success of his business, SomeGuys Services, to Welter's mentorship.

"The Center for Entrepreneurship gave me the tools, support and mentorship I needed to grow," Donley said. "I’ve been able to work with people like Tom, who runs nine home service companies and has been an incredible mentor through the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator. He gives me great advice and meets with us regularly. That guidance, along with the workshops and connections, made all the difference for me.”

According to Welter, mentorship at the University of Nebraska played a key role in his life, too.

"I never told folks this, but I started my education as a special needs student," Welter said. "I came to the university on an athletic scholarship, but I left as as an academic All-American because of the help I got from my teachers and the Center for Entrepreneurship. I am so thankful to be a part of this program, and I get back more from the students than I could ever give."

Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award – Christie Stukenholtz, ’08

Christie Stukenholtz, ’08, CEO of Senior Care Finder, was recognized for transforming how families navigate the search for senior living and care. Inspired by personal experience, she built a platform serving millions of families while supporting care providers with data and insights. Stukenholtz's leadership positioned Senior Care Finder as a trusted nationwide resource while driving local impact through internships and advancing international business and entrepreneurship at the university.

"Christie is reshaping an entire industry while giving back to her home state," said a nominator. "Her innovation, leadership and community engagement embody the spirit of Nebraska entrepreneurship."

Accepting the award, Stukenholtz credited her family, team, friends and mentors. She also provided some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

"To anyone out there with an idea that scares and excites you in equal measure, chase it. Start before you're ready. And most importantly, don't go for it alone," Stukenholtz said. "I know for sure that no successful entrepreneur does it alone. Build your team of friends, mentors, teachers and collaborators because that is the real secret to success."

Startup Executive Award – AshLea Allberry

AshLea Allberry, chief operating officer at Maptician, was honored for her leadership in scaling tech startups and fostering innovation in Nebraska and beyond. With more than 15 years of experience, she has led high-performing teams at Maptician, Xpanxion and Nanonation, driving growth, raising funding and expanding tech jobs in the Midwest.

"This community and university mean so much to me, particularly for how they embrace companies like ours," Allbery said. "Our partners at Nelnet and other investors in this community helped us grow past 75% year over year. We are to a point where we are ready for the next step, and we attribute that to a lot of people in this community."

She co-founded RISE Lincoln, a speaker series that connects and mentors businesswomen, and 100s of Women Who Care, a philanthropic network that raised hundreds of thousands for local nonprofits.

"AshLea’s leadership, both in business and service, makes her a standout in Nebraska’s startup ecosystem," said a nominator. She has played a pivotal role in building companies from the ground up and has dedicated countless hours to their success. Beyond her professional achievements, she has poured her energy into nonprofits, fostering the personal and professional growth of women in the Lincoln community."

Emerging Venture Award – Dropback

Dropback, co-founded by Raikes School alumni Luke Bogus, ’21, and Nick Siscoe, '21, received the Emerging Venture Award for their innovative approach to building a front office software suite for college sports that helps teams manage their rosters, contracts, payouts and more. The sports tech startup has gained national attention, including acceptance into the elite Y Combinator accelerator and partnering with programs across the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.

"Dropback is revolutionizing the recruiting space with vision and execution," said a nominator. "Their trajectory mirrors the success of Nebraska-grown giants like Hudl."

Although he couldn't attend in person, Bogus shared a message of gratitude on behalf of Dropback.

"Our education from Nebraska and the center gave us the courage to swing big, and the confidence to know that starting venture-scale software companies weren't just reserved for founders in Silicon Valley, but also for people born, raised and educated in Nebraska like me," he said. "Nick and I, both being UNL and Raikes School graduates, are extremely grateful for this award, but we are even more grateful for the impact our Nebraska experience had on our entrepreneurial journey. This is just the beginning for Dropback!"

Student Entrepreneur Award – Brooke Bode

Brooke Bode, a senior mechanical engineering student from Kansas City, Missouri, was honored for her achievements as the founder of Cattle Kettle and her lasting impact on Nebraska’s entrepreneurial community. As the first freshman champion of the New Venture Competition in 2022, she grew her startup into a promising hardware-software venture modernizing ranch work, earning grants, building a team and product, and preparing for investment.

"Brooke’s entrepreneurial spirit has defined her college career," said a nominator. "Her dedication, leadership and innovative mindset have enriched the university’s entrepreneurship community in countless ways."

As a teaching assistant for Raikes Innovation Processes for three years, Bode played a pivotal role in shaping students' entrepreneurial engagement, which significantly increased Raikes freshmen participation in events like Entrepreneurship Night, 3-2-1 Quick Pitch and Innovation Challenge. She also served as an entrepreneurship ambassador and mentor for the Center for Entrepreneurship, helping connect and inspire new students. Her advocacy extends to the state level, where she testified in support of Nebraska’s Business Innovation Act.

"As a student and as somebody who supported a lot of students as a teaching assistant, you have no idea how many people are in your corner until something like this happens," said Bode. "This is a real honor and thank you to those who nominated me."

Entrepreneur Advocate Award – Charlie Cuddy, '10

Charlie Cuddy, ’10, co-founder, president and executive director of Nebraska Startup Academy and co-founder and managing partner at MOVE Venture Capital, received the Entrepreneur Advocate Award for his expansive work to advance Nebraska's startup community. After returning to Nebraska from Silicon Valley, he has helped close gaps in capital, knowledge and networks, uniting founders, universities and investors to build a thriving statewide ecosystem.

"He's an unwavering champion for Nebraska's entrepreneurs. Charlie’s deep commitment to mentorship, capital access and ecosystem-building makes him a cornerstone of Nebraska’s startup community," said a nominator.

While accepting his award, Cuddy shared why he is excited for the future of Nebraska entrepreneurship.

"I can't advocate unless there are people taking the risk to build things," he said. "One of the best things about being an advocate is supporting all the great founders. People across the state are tirelessly building a better future with opportunities to solve real problems. I'm very excited for the future of Nebraska entrepreneurship."

Entrepreneurship Campus Fellow Award – Jen Landis, ’94 & ’06

Jen Landis, ’94 & ’06, associate professor of practice in graphic design, received the Entrepreneurship Campus Fellow Award for going above and beyond in connecting entrepreneurship-related activities across different colleges and departments at Nebraska. Her work bridges the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts and the Center for Entrepreneurship, ensuring creative students gain the tools to turn their talents into impactful ventures.

"She's a bridge-builder, linking the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts with the Center for Entrepreneurship, and sparking a level of collaboration that elevates everyone involved," said a nominator. "She’s opened doors for students who might not have otherwise seen themselves as entrepreneurs. She understands that innovation doesn’t only happen in boardrooms or business plans but also in sketchbooks and studios, and through bold, original thinking."

A founder herself, Landis creates hands-on opportunities for graphic design students to collaborate with startups as their clients and build their portfolios.

"I believe that creativity has a strong focus on entrepreneurship. It's about solving problems, dreaming big and creating something no one else has seen yet," Landis said. "It's great to be part of the community and university that inspires this type of imagination and supports it."

Faculty and Staff Entrepreneurship Advocacy Award – Sam Nelson, ’11

Samuel Nelson, ’11, associate professor of practice in management and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, was honored with the Faculty and Staff Entrepreneurship Advocacy Award for his exceptional commitment and support in fostering students' entrepreneurial endeavors. A driving force behind entrepreneurship education at Nebraska, Nelson has expanded programs, strengthened connections to the business community and mentored countless student founders. His leadership has empowered a new generation of Huskers to believe in their ideas and take bold steps toward building something of their own.

"Sam’s commitment to innovation, student success and community impact makes him an ideal recipient of this award," said a nominator. "He is committed to ensuring that students from every corner of campus can realize their entrepreneurial potential. He has shaped the mindset of a generation of Huskers who now believe in their power to lead, build and create."

After earning his Ph.D. in management at the university, he joined the faculty in 2012. He has served as director for the Center for Entrepreneurship since 2015.

"I’ve been at the university long enough to see students go from simply exploring an idea to launching ventures that drive real change. Watching alumni founders scale their startups is incredibly rewarding. Seeing community members pour into our students through mentoring or serving as competition judges is incredible," said Nelson, "Being able to be a part of people's entrepreneurial journey means more to me than you can imagine."