Inaugural cohort named to Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator

The Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has selected 23 student entrepreneurs for the inaugural cohort of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator.

The accelerator supports entrepreneurial students across the university through a comprehensive approach, combining individualized development plans with access to exclusive resources and structured peer groups.

“This inaugural cohort is full of go-getters, builders, doers and innovators,” said Mallory Krenk, student engagement and recruitment coordinator for the center. “They're solving real problems that will positively impact Nebraska and beyond.”

The 2024-25 cohort represents six colleges at the university.

“There’s power in bringing students from diverse backgrounds and skill sets together, and we’re fortunate to provide programming that connects them,” Krenk said.

Following is a list of students selected for the accelerator’s first cohort, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school and academic major(s).

Nebraska

Arapahoe:

• Reilley Einspahr, senior, finance

Cozad:

• Dante Dyches-Chandler, junior, data science

Fremont:

• Adelaide Witte, junior, agribusiness

Gothenburg:

• Seth Daup, senior, finance (Raikes School)

Grand Island:

• Carlos Ferrer-Moya, junior, business administration

Lincoln:

• Flor Bescansa Luers, senior, anthropology
• Michael Endacott, senior, computer science
• Joseph Flodman, sophomore, undeclared
• Joseph Lacey, senior, emerging media arts
• Lena Lankas, senior, computer science (Raikes School)
• Yamen Seanwan, senior, business administration
• Mitch West, sophomore, advertising and public relations

North Platte:

• Ethan Munson, senior, management (entrepreneurship)

Omaha:

• Judith Gelber, doctoral student, leadership studies

Petersburg:

• Seth Wright, senior, agribusiness

Pleasant Dale:

• Cheyenne Prentice, senior, international business

Syracuse:

• Madison Kreifels, senior, agricultural and environmental sciences communications

ELSEWHERE:

Scottsdale, Arizona:

• Sam McCracken, senior, Clifton Builders management

Buffalo Grove, Illinois:

• Alex Swidler, senior, management (entrepreneurship)
• Ben Swidler, senior, management (entrepreneurship)

Bloomington, Minnesota:

• Frank Arth, sophomore, finance
• Jackson Donley, sophomore, management

Babirah, Iraq:

• Taz Blasiny, junior, management

Each student selected for the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator receives a $1,000 scholarship and access to a unique combination of resources, experts and programming. Students can opt to receive college credit for their participation.

“Participants benefit from an individualized development plan that caters to each person's unique leadership and entrepreneurial journey,” said Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management and director of business development for the Center for Entrepreneurship. “It connects each student to carefully curated, exclusive resources and experts designed to support and grow a business or innovation. The program also utilizes structured peer groups to elevate communication and collaboration skills, while promoting business progress.”

Students can work with local entrepreneurs and participate in workshops and programs to receive assistance and feedback on prototypes. They also can learn about funding options, as well as how to establish legal entities, develop market strategies, source talent and plan for expansion.

Each student will be paired with a mentor who volunteers with the center or serves as one of the center’s Community Fellows — a group of nearly 60 successful entrepreneurs who work with students throughout the academic year.

“We paired their mentors based on the needs students indicated in their application,” Krenk said. “All have a proven track record in providing exemplary mentoring and coaching to students through our past competitions and programming.”

The Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator stands apart from similar programs by being primarily tailored to undergraduate students, operating on an academic calendar and offering scholarships without requiring equity investments. The center plans to continue evolving and expanding the program, with plans to offer larger scholarships to attract top talent.

“We’re confident that this program can be a tool for recruiting and retaining the best entrepreneurial students to Nebraska,” Thomsen said. “Our goal is to connect them to the economic fabric of Nebraska and ensure they continue to impact our local economy long after they graduate. Offering impactful scholarships to this group of top talent will be key to making that goal a reality.”

Those interested in donating to the Center for Entrepreneurship can do so here.