The Center for Entrepreneurship in UNL’s College of Business Administration will host EntrepreneuringDays@UNL from April 7-9 at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. The event, which is open to the public, features student competitions and celebrates entrepreneurship in Nebraska.
The 18th UNL New Venture Competition will be April 7. The competition, similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” allows students to pitch their business ideas to a panel of business professionals who serve as judges. UNL students will compete for a grand prize of $50,000 to be used to fund their business and an automatic entry into the 28th Global New Venture Competition on April 9. Graduate and undergraduate teams from the world’s top universities will compete in the event.
The UNL Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards Dinner, 6:15 p.m. April 8 at Embassy Suites, will honor three entrepreneurs for their innovation, success and entrepreneurial spirit. The cost to attend is $50, which helps subsidize the dinner cost of a student attendee. R.S.V.P. for the dinner at http://cba.unl.edu/entrepreneuringdays.
The major awards include:
Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award — This award is presented to the founder of a successful company that demonstrates continued innovation. This year’s award is given in memory of W. Patrick Clarke, the co-founder and former co-chairman of NorthStar Financial Services. NorthStar is the umbrella organization that owns Orion Advisor Services LLC, CLS Investments LLC and Gemini Fund Services LLC. The three companies Clarke managed had a combined $120 billion in assets. His son Brett Clarke, vice president of branding and hypermedia, will accept the award in his father’s honor.
New Company Entrepreneur Award — Presented to those who have had success in the early years of their business, these role models present learning opportunities that help young entrepreneurs. This year’s recipient is Matt Medlock, CEO and founder of PaySAFE, an online closing table providing buyers and sellers a one-stop location to create, negotiate and close trades with financial protection. A former vice president at First National Bank with more than 20 years of banking experience, Medlock built PaySAFE from no customers or transactions at the start of 2012 to having registered users in 32 states and 31 countries.
Start-up Executive Award – This award was established for a start-up person who made a positive difference to at least one growth company. Bill Hipsher, co-founder of B2 Interactive, a full-service digital marketing agency in Omaha, will receive this award. He has more than 15 years of experience in web design and digital marketing after a brief stint in real estate. Hipsher founded B2 Interactive with Brandon Taylor in 2012. He leads the digital marketing group.
Students and business community members are encouraged to attend the following free, educational sessions during the three-day event:
Tuesday, April 7: Teaching and research roundtable, 9-10:30 a.m.; Student Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by Big Omaha, 1:30-4 p.m.; networking event for students, business people and educators, 4-4:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8: Entrepreneurship Speaker Series sponsored by Catalyst: Union Bank and Trust, 1:30-4 p.m. Topics and speakers include “Life of a Serial Entrepreneur” by Quest Taylor, managing partner of Hair Vault; “Entrepreneurship in the Public Sector” by Vern Powers, Hastings mayor and entrepreneur; and “Entrepreneurship in Nonprofits” by Kit Boesch, human services administrator, Lancaster County. Visiting Student Competitor Tradeshow, 4:30-6:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 9: “Storytelling Skills for Entreprenuers: Generating Buzz About You and Your Business,” 8:30-11:30 a.m.
For a full schedule of events, click here. For more information, contact Theresa Welbourne at theresa.welbourne@unl.edu or call 402-472-3353.
