The physical, geographical, and economic growth of Lincoln are easy to see. What may go overlooked is Lincoln’s growth as a home to start-up software and technology companies. Most of these businesses don’t have large storefronts or flashy neon signs announcing their presence, but what they lack in visibility to the general public, they more than make up for in innovation, workforce, and recognition from their peers as industry leaders in the technology revolution.

The latest recognition for Lincoln’s start up success comes from Silicon Prairie News, a digital media company dedicated to highlighting and supporting entrepreneurs and investors. Founded in 2008, the highly respected publication calls itself “an emerging model for grassroots entrepreneurial ecosystem development in and around Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City.”

Their annual award ceremony was recently held in Kansas City and three local individuals came home with awards, along with one Lincoln Company.

• Bulu Box – a company that offers sample boxes of vitamins and supplements, won the award for Best Culture

• Caitlin Bales – Bulu Box Chief Technology Officer was named Technologist of the Year

• Brian Ardinger – managing director of NMotion, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s startup accelerator, was named one of three Silicon Prairie Champions

• Katie Hottovy of Lincoln healthcare software startup Nobl was named Designer of the Year.

These awards are not only a great win for them as individuals; they are also a great win for Lincoln’s start up community.  If we don’t take the time and effort to nurture these home grown businesses we could be losing out on the next generation of Lincoln’s workforce.

Nurturing the next generation is also the reason behind another project we’ve worked on at the Chamber and the Partnership.  A little over one year ago, we began working with the Lincoln Human Resource Management Association (LHRMA) on a project called 1st Job Lincoln. The initiative was designed to give high school students the opportunity to have their first paid professional position at a company right here in Lincoln.  Unlike a “typical” summer job, 1st Job Lincoln gives students the chance to explore and experience what a day is like in their chosen career field before they get to college.  From an employer’s perspective, the project is a great opportunity to put a brand or business name at the front of a potential future employee’s mind so that when they graduate, their first thought is to try and rejoin that company and stay here in Lincoln.

To make the project work, LHRMA need “Champion Employers” to lead the way in welcoming these students into their businesses.  I am proud to report 14 employers embraced the challenge this year: Agilx, Assurity Life Insurance Company, Cabela’s, Duncan Aviation, Kaplan University-Lincoln, Lambert Vet Supply, NCEE Labs, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Phoenix Web Group, Powderhook, Inc., Tabitha Health Care, Talent Plus, Inc., TMCO, Inc., and UNL-College of Business Administration.

Again, I want to say thank you to these businesses for doing their best to keep Lincoln’s best and brightest here at home and contributing to the local economy.  Have a great month.


by Wendy Birdsall, President

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

402-436-2350

www.lcoc.com


The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together.  Networking opportunities, business advocacy, and creating economic viability are critical to our success.  We encourage you to become a member and help us achieve these goals for Lincoln.  For more information, please contact our Membership Director, Kristin Holmes, kholmes@lcoc.com.