About StartupLNK
StartupLNK connects Lincoln founders to the people, programs, and capital they need to build and grow, and celebrates the community they're creating along the way.
Who we are
StartupLNK is Lincoln's home base for founders, builders, and the people who support them. Powered by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED), we connect entrepreneurs to the resources, capital, and community they need to start and grow right here in Nebraska.
What we do
We run programs, share resources, and build the connections that make Lincoln a better place to build a company.
That means non-dilutive grants through LaunchLNK, pitch competitions through the JumpStart Challenge, a growing mentor network, and a resource directory covering everything from coworking spaces to legal help to investor networks.
Since LaunchLNK launched in 2018, program alumni have collectively secured nearly $100 million in follow-on funding; proof that early-stage support in Lincoln pays off.
Abby Bartholomew - Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Abby is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at LPED, where she oversees startup grant programs, ecosystem events, and the digital infrastructure that makes Lincoln's founder community more connected and accessible.
She brings 15+ years of experience as a founder and growth operator across e-commerce, subscription, and service businesses, and currently co-owns a local small business, which keeps her work practical and founder-first. She believes strong startup ecosystems are built through trust, collaboration, and execution—and that doing meaningful work should be fun.
