A record 18 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been selected for the third cohort of the Entrepreneurship Catalysts program. Part of the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship, the program helps first-year students with entrepreneurial potential thrive from the start of their college careers.
This year’s Catalysts, representing four colleges, benefit from expanded yearlong programming, which includes a zero-credit weekly seminar and spring-semester collaboration with Nomi Health.
“We’re partnering with Nomi Health to help them craft solutions and ideas to remain innovative in the health care industry,” said Mallory Krenk, student engagement and recruitment coordinator in the Center for Entrepreneurship. “Catalysts will work directly with Nomi leaders and advance through the entrepreneurial process. Along with this semester-long project, we’ll integrate company tours, conversations with founders, and opportunities to further explore and experience the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nebraska.”
The following students were selected for the 2025-26 cohort. They are listed alphabetically by hometown, with academic major(s).
Nebraska
Elkhorn:
- Kelly Knutson, business administration
Imperial:
- Ava McNair, management (entrepreneurship and innovation)
Lincoln:
- Gianna Urbauer, business administration
McCook:
- Isabelle Clause, graphic design
Milford:
- Karlee Kuklis, marketing
- Dominick Roth, business administration
Omaha:
- Roman DiDomenico, management (entrepreneurship and innovation)
- Alexander Fitch, software engineering
- Gus Neary, agribusiness
- Jett Smeal, finance
- Drew Zealand, business administration
- Samuel Spisak, construction management
Roca:
- Joshua Bornschlegl, business administration
York:
- Elle Malleck, business administration
Elsewhere in the U.S.
Aurora, Illinois:
- Jayden Lopez, finance
Wauconda, Illinois:
- Noelle Dadian, management (entrepreneurship and innovation)
Edina, Minnesota:
- Wesley Tallman, business administration
Elk River, Minnesota:
- Kennan Stoll, management (entrepreneurship and innovation)
Catalysts receive a $1,000 scholarship, exclusive opportunities, and access to a network of entrepreneurial peers and professionals. In addition to Nomi Health, the program’s supporters include Kevin and Jolene Vermeer, Matt Tompkins, Allen Dayton, and Scott and Colleen Schmidt.
“This year, we’re able to offer more continuity in learning,” said Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management, who teaches Catalysts in the course Introduction to Entrepreneurship. “The extended program means students can deepen friendships, sharpen their skills and apply what they learn directly through projects with community partners.”
Each week, Catalysts explore entrepreneurial tools and techniques with guest speakers and mentors. They have participated in a rapid prototyping workshop led by Kenny Morales, an Entrepreneurship Accelerator student and co-founder of startup FindU; as well as a session on personal branding and networking with Tristen Metcalf, a Husker alumnus and director of business strategy for Senior Care Finder.
Karlee Kuklis, a first-year marketing major, said she joined the program to develop her skills and connect with others who share her drive to create and innovate.
“I’m most excited about being surrounded by people who think like me and share the same passion for entrepreneurship,” she said. “I want to learn from others, grow my own ideas and gain new perspectives that can help me improve both personally and in my business.”
Students are selected based on entrepreneurial potential and passion, regardless of their background or field of study. They collaborate, build friendships and learn from one another while exploring Nebraska’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are open to incoming first-year students, with a priority application deadline of Feb. 1 and final deadline of April 1.
For more information on the Entrepreneurship Catalysts program, click here.
