Training & Education
Lincoln's startup community is backed by a strong network of free and low-cost education and consulting resources, from one-on-one advising to cohort programs and online curriculum. Whether you're pre-idea or already scaling, there's support here for you.
Click below to jump to a sectionNebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) A statewide program with 8 office locations offering confidential, one-on-one consulting to entrepreneurs and business owners at any stage. The Lincoln center is co-located at UNL's College of Business.
Business plan development, financial projections, and loan packaging
Market research, export consulting, and government contracting support
Exit and succession planning; business valuations
SBIR/STTR grant navigation
Services provided mostly at no cost
📍 730 N 14th St, Suite 315, Lincoln
Free one-on-one advising
SCORE Lincoln A group of experienced business professionals who provide free guidance to those starting a new business or looking to improve an existing one, with expertise across accounting, finance, HR, law, marketing, operations, and more.
Free one-on-one mentoring matched to your industry and stage
Low-cost workshops on business planning, marketing, finance, and taxes
Online resources, templates, and on-demand webinars
Support at every phase: pre-start, startup, growth, and transition
Nebraska Startup Academy A free platform built to lower the barrier to entrepreneurship through education, support, and the connection of founders, investors, and the startup community.
Free online curriculum for founders and investors
Active community of 150+ Nebraska founders; peer support, resources, and forums
In-person and virtual events with industry experts
VC office hours following 1 Million Cups Omaha
💰 Free
Structured programs & curriculum
Entrepreneur's Education Collaborative (EEC) A collaborative of Nebraska organizations delivering practical business training through a structured annual series. The Ready, Set, Grow Training Series covers hiring, AI, capital options, workflows, tax preparation, and cash flow; designed to help Nebraska entrepreneurs adapt and grow.
Year-long training series with monthly expert sessions
Topics: business planning, financial management, marketing, leadership, scaling
Sessions available in English and Spanish
Geared toward both new entrepreneurs and existing business owners
💰 Low-cost or free
Rural Prosperity Nebraska — Small Business Program UNL Extension's small business education program, with a strong focus on serving immigrant, multilingual, and rural entrepreneurs across Nebraska. Hosts the annual Nebraska Small Business Conference in Lincoln, Omaha, and Grand Island — held in English and Spanish, covering social media, marketing, loan applications, and more.
Annual small business conference — free or low-cost to attend
One-on-one consulting for immigrant and rural entrepreneurs
Services available in English and Spanish
💰 Free to low-cost
UNL Center for Entrepreneurship Ranked #35 in the world and #10 in the Midwest by Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine for undergraduate entrepreneurship programs. While primarily student-focused, many programs and events are open to the broader Lincoln founder community.
Entrepreneurship courses open to students of all majors
Hosts pitch competitions including the New Venture Competition and 3-2-1 Quick Pitch
Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator for students actively building ventures
NBDC consulting co-located on campus — accessible to community founders
📍 Hawks Hall, UNL Campus
University-based programs
Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program — UNL A community-based, experiential program at UNL that helps students build their own enterprise from the ground up — purpose-driven, practical, and rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is a tool for building communities, not just companies. Primarily student-focused but deeply embedded in Nebraska's ag and rural entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Academic minor in agribusiness entrepreneurship open to students of any major
Hands-on business building from day one — mentorship, networking, and real-world application
Since inception, has helped launch more than 70 businesses generating over $147 million in lifetime revenue
Scholarships available for incoming and current CASNR students with FFA or 4-H experience
Over $2 million invested in student scholarships and resources since 2012
Strong alignment with agtech — a natural pipeline into The Combine and Grit Road Partners
📍 Dinsdale Learning Commons, UNL Campus
💰 Free to participate; scholarships available
Philip S. Mullin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program — Nebraska Wesleyan University Nebraska Wesleyan's innovation and entrepreneurship degree is uniquely interdisciplinary — open to students from any major, with the ability to move across fields rather than staying inside a traditional business school. Launched in Fall 2024 with a $2 million gift from NWU alumnus Philip Mullin, the program gives students access to a network of innovators, entrepreneurs, and alumni with hands-on learning, internships, and mentorship.
B.A. or B.S. degree with five focus areas: Science & Technology, Sustainability, Creative Design & Arts, Policy & Justice, and Business/Marketing/Sports
Students access Nebraska Innovation Studio's makerspace — 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, and more — as part of the curriculum
Capstone project requires building a real business, prototype, or implemented process
35+ Midwest companies committed as guest speakers and mentors
📍 Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln
💰 Standard NWU tuition; scholarships available