Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship

09/02/2026

A look back at the Back-to-School Bash! 🤝 We loved kicking off the semester by connecting with students and collaborating with campus partners to make the start of the school year one to remember.

09/01/2026

In Case You Missed It: 2026 Entrepreneurship Awards

This past April, we celebrated the outstanding entrepreneurs, innovators and advocates who are helping shape the future of entrepreneurship across the Husker community.

Here’s a look back at this year’s Entrepreneurship Awards and the individuals whose leadership, innovation and service were recognized:

🏆 Emerging Venture Award — Eric Dinger
🏆 Entrepreneur Advocate Award — Brian Ardinger
🏆 Faculty & Staff Entrepreneurship Advocacy Award — Tom Field
🏆 Jeff Vaske Service in Entrepreneurship Award — John Wirtz
🏆 Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award — Jay Wilkinson
🏆 Startup Executive Award — Brian Zimmer
🏆 Student Entrepreneur Award — Patrick Stolinski
🏆 Entrepreneurship Campus Fellow Award — Joy Eakin

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you for your continued contributions to Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem! 👏

08/24/2026

Welcome back, Huskers! 🎉

A new semester means new ideas, new opportunities and new possibilities — and this year, we’re celebrating 40 years of entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln!

Here’s to another year of innovation, impact & turning ideas into action. Let's do this thing!

08/21/2026

Ready to make a difference this year? Join us in supporting the next generation of Husker entrepreneurs - through judging, mentoring, or sharing your expertise.

Check it out: https://buff.ly/IH6fHKH

08/19/2026

The start of something new is almost here...

Mark your calendars! We are so excited to see you at these upcoming welcome events! ✨✨✨

Back to School Bash
📅 Thursday, August 20 @ 2:30-4:30 p.m.
📍 Hawks Hall Atrium

Big Red Welcome Street Festival
📅 Sunday, August 23 @ 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Find the Center for Entrepreneurship at a booth, right next to:
• Women+ in Entrepreneurship
• Husker Venture Fund
• Franchising

Come say hi, learn more about the center, and kick off the new school year with us! ❤️

08/17/2026

We asked... & y'all answered! 📊💫

The votes are in! We put some of our favorite entrepreneur-inspired This or That questions to the test. From pitch decks to prototypes, swipe to see the results and let us know which side you're on!

08/15/2026

Congratulations to our assistant director Amanda Metcalf on earning her MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln today!



Nebraska MBA and Business Graduate Programs

08/11/2026

An itch for new ideas, big dreams, and getting back to building what’s next. Good thing fall semester is right around the corner! 😉

08/07/2026

It's great to see the Center for Entrepreneurship represented at the third annual Unlocking University Innovation event, hosted by Open Range.

Dr. Sam Nelson joined a panel moderated by University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., alongside leaders from across Nebraska's innovation, workforce, and economic development ecosystems, to talk about the role universities play in building entrepreneurship statewide — and where Nebraska stands today.

The conversation dug into how university assets — research funding, workforce development, entrepreneurial support systems — can be better leveraged to drive innovation and economic growth across the state. These are exactly the kinds of conversations that move Nebraska's entrepreneurial ecosystem forward, and we're proud to have a seat at the table.

08/04/2026

For Abby Hornady, building a future in her family business has been about more than carrying on a family legacy — it’s about earning the opportunity to lead it.

As a fourth-generation member of Hornady Manufacturing, Abby has intentionally pursued experiences outside the company to develop her skills, build credibility, and prepare for the future. Through her career at Sturm, R***r & Co., hands-on experience within Hornady, and her time in the Center for Entrepreneurship’s Family Business course, she has gained valuable perspective on what it takes to become a future family business leader.

“My grandfather implemented what we call the 10-year rule. In order for family members to come back and work for the family business, they must first gain at least a decade of relevant outside experience. Employment isn’t a birthright — it has to be earned.”

Today, Abby is continuing to build the experience and perspective needed to contribute to the next generation of her family business.

Find Abby’s full feature below!
🔗 https://buff.ly/Yy3IjnQ

For Abby Hornady, joining the family business has never been about following in her family’s footsteps — it has always been about earning…