Springboard Lunch Series at Scott Technology Center begins tomorrow

Update 10/13: The conversation with the Scott Technology Center was with Ken Moreano, Executive Director of the Center. We’re looking forward to an exciting new event taking place this week at the Scott Technology Center called Springboard. We at Silicon Prairie News are excited about the forward momentum among the community’s entrepreneurs and this effort…

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Update 10/13: The conversation with the Scott Technology Center was with Ken Moreano, Executive Director of the Center.

We’re looking forward to an exciting new event taking place this week at the Scott Technology Center called Springboard. We at Silicon Prairie News are excited about the forward momentum among the community’s entrepreneurs and this effort will surely work at continuing to build Omaha into a hotbed for new ideas and companies.

Here’s some additional information on the Springboard Lunch Series and look for a follow up story after this week’s first event…

Silicon Prairie News (SPN): Tell us more about the Springboard Lunch Series…

Scott Technology Center: Springboard is designed to bring visibility to either existing small companies or new startups. In either case, we are trying to assemble groups that often meet with companies individually but rarely gather in the same room to evaluate deals. We feel that if better coordinated, the various groups could be more effective and efficient in assisting the companies. On the flip side, this gives the entrepreneur a one-stop shop for pitching their deal.

SPN: Awesome! So what’s the format?

STC: Springboard begins with approximately 15-minute status report on action items from the previous meeting. This includes any follow up that took place with the startups. We will also track the level of engagement and outcomes.

The status report is followed by two company pitches. The first company pitches Springboard for 10 minutes immediately followed by five minutes of Q&A. The second company follows the same structure.

The final 15 minutes of the meeting is planned for each resource provider to comment on the pitches and express any interest in follow up. The resource providers determine if and how they will follow up with the companies and coordinate their efforts with the other providers in the group.

SPN: So, two companies present each month?

STC: Yes. Two companies per month is the target.

SPN: Where are you searching for the startups to present at the Springboard event?

STC: Currently we are accepting applicants via a power point application on our STC web site. Additionally, we are welcoming submissions via our meeting participants, Silicon Prairie News and the overall community. Look for a more formal process in the coming months.

SPN: Why did STC decide to organize the monthly Springboard Lunch Series?

STC: After participating as a sponsor in Big Omaha, we saw first hand how Silicon Prairie News as well as small companies like Brightmix can have high impact in not only bringing visibility to the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Nebraska, but also in the surrounding states. A monthly Springboard lunch is intended to provide a consistent venue for pitches and deal exposure. We feel that quarterly is more of a social gathering but monthly would be more like work sessions with start-ups.

SPN: What is the intended goal and outcome(s) from the Springboard Lunches?

STC: The intent is to bring more visibility, on a regular basis to opportunities and resources in the immediate community (Omaha & Lincoln) as well as the region. When we talk about opportunities, we’re referring to both startups that could be high growth and quality employers and intern investment opportunities resulting in positive return on investment.

SPN: Talk with us more about the resources you are referring to?

STC: We believe that no one incubator can change the landscape of quality deal flow for truly high-growth opportunities that could result in wealth creation however we do think that the overall community can impact those areas. With regards to resources, we are referring to getting a regular session that assembles high impact contacts that can be leveraged to assist, invest, team, acquire, or advise. As a neutral entity, we feel that we can bring together at a neutral location resources. We prefer to be inclusive and not have the silo effect that seems to be present in other communities.

With attendees such as Invest Nebraska Corporation, the Nebraska Angels, Leap Ventures, Peter Kiewit Institute and others that bring collectively a high quality rolodex and applicable experience, it becomes easy to see why we would include groups that include high technology entrepreneurs, venture capital (both experienced in raising and managing venture capital), angel investors, and research & development capabilities.

SPN: What do these groups get in return?

STC: Our expectation is that both the startups and attendees can benefit. We have had many in-kind offers for services and on occasion have used some but are very sensitive to bring value to partners that we call upon. We anticipate that the partners will benefit by interacting with the companies and thereby increasing their awareness of deal flow in our region. We do hope that the partners directly benefit by teaming with, investing in, and possibly acquiring the startups.

We do not have a problem with any of the participants benefiting from interacting with the startups. Our perspective is that as long as the engagement is transparent to our Springboard group, we welcome and encourage it wholeheartedly.

SPN: With STC as the organizer of these events, what is your background in assisting startups?

STC: Since late 2001 STC has had an incubator supporting the growth and development of startup and early stage companies. STC has assisted entrepreneurs both in and outside of the STC incubator program.

SPN: What are some of the companies that have been accepted into the incubator?

STC: STC’s focus has been on the technology and engineering specific startups. In 2008, Currencylogix was acquired within 23 months of being in our incubator. Proxibid is one of the more visible success stories in our immediate community that has shown the community that the talent and skills exist here. Proxibid has also been successful in raising capital locally.

SPN: This sounds great, and definitely something that will benefit our community. When does the first event launch?

STC: We are holding our first Springboard Lunch October 13, 2009. We plan to hold these sessions every second Tuesday of each month for a year.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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