Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising

At CIEF, we’re dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Center supports entrepreneurial education and collaboration, innovative hands-on learning experiences, as well as faculty research, conferences and mentorship. CIEF also provides advisory services to start-ups and small business entities throughout the region.

Support us, here!

A Celebration of Entrepreneurship Gala

An evening of fun, food, and philanthropy to celebrate and support young entrepreneurs, students, startups, and programs that change lives and strengthen our community. We will award entrepreneurs in five different categories during the evening.

Award Nominations

A Celebration of Entrepreneurship Gala is a night for us all to celebrate! During this event, we will be celebrating nominees of five different categories: Best Places to Work, Women Entrepreneurs, Social Ventures, High Growth Companies, and Entrepreneurs Under 30. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know, please click here and fill out this short survey. together, we will celebrate the nominees on stage at the Kaneko after a social cocktail hour.

Mavericks of Business

Sponsored by CIEF, the annual Maverick Business Plan Competition gives UNO students a way to launch great ideas, and maybe even make the world a better place.

To compete, students develop a simplified business plan identifying an opportunity and presenting a viable proposal. Winning plans can be based on new or novel innovations, or on a better way to implement existing technology or target new markets.

Learn more about the Maverick Business Plan Competition

Share, Learn, Be Inspired

Each April, CIEF hosts the Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference. For two days, more than 300 UNO students gather at Kaneko in Omaha to hear from some of the nation’s most dynamic entrepreneurs — including recent graduates and students like themselves.

Learn more about the Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference

Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community

Starting fall 2016, the new Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community (ELLC) will give freshmen of any major the opportunity to live together on campus, learn with like-minded students, and network with Omaha entrepreneurs. Scholarships are available.

Learn more about the Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community