Lincoln’s Entrepreneurial Edge

A Story of Success and Growth

by Jason Ball – President & CEO, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce & Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development

Lincoln isn’t just keeping pace with the nation’s startup scene; it’s setting the standard and getting noticed. Throughout the past 20 years, Lincoln has evolved into one of the Midwest’s most vibrant hubs for entrepreneurship. Fueled by innovation, collaboration and strong community support, Lincoln has become a proven launchpad for bold new ideas and growing companies. Now in 2026, Lincoln’s startup ecosystem isn’t just thriving here at home; its stories are earning recognition on the national stage.

That momentum was front and center during last October’s Silicon Prairie Startup Week, when entrepreneurs across the region gathered to share new ideas, build connections and celebrate the entrepreneurial energy that defines Silicon Prairie. What began as a grassroots effort years ago has now evolved into a regional week of impactful events, uniting founders, investors and local startup community champions. Together, entrepreneurs tackled real life challenges presented by a few of Nebraska’s top businesses, pitched new ideas, explored best practices for working with professional service providers and learned more about funding opportunities and talent attraction — just to name a few. 

The 2025 LaunchLNK grant recipients.

This past year, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development also partnered with business leaders from Don’t Panic Labs and Hudl to take Lincoln’s startup success story on an outbound press trip to New York City. There, national journalists and media outlets learned more about Lincoln’s dynamic startup ecosystem, amplifying Lincoln’s reputation as a place where dreams become reality. A highlight of the press trip included a live feature on Nasdaq’s Trade Talks, where Lincoln’s entrepreneurial track record was showcased across the country, further illustrating that the innovation happening in Lincoln is a story worth telling, as Lincoln belongs in the national spotlight. 

This kind of visibility is immensely important for the community and is a key pillar of the Vitality Lincoln Strategic Plan. Startup ecosystems thrive on talent, investment and energy, and the more the world hears about Lincoln, the more resources flow back into our community. When people across the country hear about the groundbreaking work happening in Lincoln, it not only changes their perception of our community, it also opens new doors and signals that innovation truly does thrive right here in the Midwest.

Lincoln’s strong startup scene is a true testament to the power of community support for innovators; unique support that does not exist in every community. Lincoln’s entrepreneurs benefit from a wealth of resources, including the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development’s LaunchLNK grant program, which counts companies like BasicBlock, a fast-growing freight tech company, and Senior Care Finder, a trusted resource for families navigating senior care options, among its alumni. Collectively, the 36 LaunchLNK alumni have gone on to raise more than $100 million in follow-on funding, further establishing their roots in Lincoln. By helping founders scale quickly and effectively, the program fuels innovation and strengthens Lincoln’s local economy. Combined with a variety of coworking spaces like Fuse, Elevator and Turbine Flats, local incubators such as The Combine and Nebraska Innovation Studio, and other accelerator programs like NMotion, these local resources create incredible momentum for Lincoln’s growing startup ecosystem.

Beyond its flourishing startup ecosystem and exceptional community support, Lincoln is an ideal place to launch and grow a business. The city offers a unique blend of resources, affordability and quality of life, allowing entrepreneurs to stretch their budgets further than they could in larger tech hubs. Lincoln’s growing network of investors and committed local mentors provides guidance at every stage of the startup journey, while a strong education system — including Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln — ensures a steady pipeline of talented professionals.

For those ready to launch or scale their business, Lincoln offers the perfect environment to succeed. But, it’s not just a place to build a business, Lincoln is a place to create a story worth telling. And the best part? The unstoppable momentum of Lincoln’s thriving entrepreneurial community isn’t slowing down anytime soon.