October 20, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Hurrdat Social Media, a Lincoln-based social media firm, held an open house last Friday to celebrate moving into new offices in the Haymarket in downtown Lincoln. I caught up with the company's founder and CEO, Blake Lawrence, before the event and asked him how the company’s Athlete Engagement Program, which we covered before its August launch, was doing. Lawrence told me that Hurrdat now has more than 100 athletes on the platform … read more
August 10, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln One year ago, former University of Nebraska-Lincoln football teammates and college roommates … read more
July 25, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Rare Earth Solar co-founders Allen Kruse and Joseph Brewer met at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while Brewer was getting his doctorate in inorganic chemistry and tutoring Kruse in his chemistry class. Brewer started telling Kruse about his solar technology invention and that he was thinking about starting a business. Kruse, a Navy veteran and businessman, has experience starting businesses, and it caught his attention. “After knowing each … read more
June 9, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Shane Farritor had no plans of becoming an entrepreneur, but things changed in 2006. “This started with an alumnus from the university who is on the dean’s advisory board," said Farritor, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "He’s been very successful doing startup companies and wanted to help the university with his expertise. He wanted to help engineers … read more
June 2, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Last week we introduced you to Bob Hinrichs, the technology developer that moved to back to Lincoln last summer after spending years in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to what we covered in the first story on Hinrichs, we also visited with him about the keys to creating a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here are Hinrichs' essential elements for a successful ecosystem … read more
May 23, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln After two decades spent in Silicon Valley, Bob Hinrichs came home to Lincoln last summer, and he believes the city is ready to foster a flourishing tech scene of its own. "I lived through the 90s in California, and it was glorious," said Hinrichs, who works as the chief technology officer for two coastal companies: ISL Consulting, based in San Francisco, and Clear Metrics, based in New York City. "I'd like to do that again, and this time, this is where it's going to happen. "My companies, and I personally, are extremely interested in increasing our presence and activity in Lincoln. I'm in the process of getting to know people here, and we are looking into ways that we can do that." I visited with Bob in person and via email about his observations of the Silicon Prairie … read more
May 23, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Omaha Since its inception in 2009, Big Omaha has been held at KANEKO, an "open space for open minds that nurtures and promotes creativity in the arts, sciences, and philosophy." In addition to the permanent and exhibiting art collections housed at KANEKO, Big Omaha invites a select group of artists to add a unique element to its conference with installations or exhibitions geared towards attendees. At this year’s event, Peerless’ Caleb Coppock, Daphne Eck … read more
May 19, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Have you ever thought about designing your own video game? With Green Bein’ Productions new product, Synch, you can build your own game and then challenge your friends to play it. Deana Ward, vice president of Green Bein’, says that kids and adults love the new product. "Well, the only marketing we … read more
May 17, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Omaha Marc Eckō is a serial entrepreneur. His roots to business are tied deeply to his love of art and popular culture. He is the founder and chief creative officer of Mark Eckō Enterprises, a billion dollar full-scale global fashion and lifestyle company. Eckō was the youngest member ever inducted into the board of directors for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He is also founder of Artists & Instigators, a venture innovation company … read more
May 5, 2011 by Kate Ellingson
Lincoln Young entrepreneurs, students and professionals from the Lincoln business community were all ears when the Entrepreneurship Committee from Lincoln’s Young Professionals Group put on its latest event at the Raikes School on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. John Wirtz, COO of Hudl, interviewed Steve Kiene, managing director of Nebraska Global, and Kiene talked about his background, startup experience and tips for new entrepreneurs. … read more
Through August 22, help us decide the winners of our inaugural Silicon Prairie Awards, which will recognize 12
companies and individuals. You can vote once per day per category.
Winners will be announced live on stage at
our August 30 event.