Information and Technology Program Develops Series for Entrepreneurs in Ag Tech

This summer is hot with opportunities as the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) presents a series of webinars and online courses for agriculture technology entrepreneurs with innovations that serve agricultural sectors and support rural development.

“This series is one example of how the NBDC and its innovation and technology commercialization program are continually presenting new and engaging events that help lead our state’s entrepreneurs from idea through research and development to commercialization,” says Catherine Lang, NBDC state director.

“The program’s no-cost, confidential services include market research, business plan development and applications for funding opportunities, delivered by NBDC’s highly experienced business consultants,” Lang says. “The NBDC is eager to promote the innovative designs and creative ideas that propel Nebraska’s economy forward.”

The first event of the series was a webinar on June 2 titled “Opportunities in Agricultural Innovation,” delivered via Zoom. The panel of presenters included Boone McAfee, Nebraska Corn Board; Nate Blum, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board; Brian Williams, PhD, Nebraska Public Power District; Jay Rempe, Nebraska Farm Bureau; Becky Vogt, Nebraska Rural Poll, UNL Department of Agricultural Economics.

“The series will help participants prepare for pitch events and conferences, as well as obtain advice on how to apply for funding opportunities,” says Sara Bennett, NBDC business consultant at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. “Because we are presenting webinars, with the hope of staging in-person events in the fall, we are drawing upon experts from across the state to make the most of our current digital world.”

Other events in the 2020 Ag Innovators series will include Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 101 webinars, Agricultural Innovators Meetup, Project Management for Federal Grant Applications, Customer Discovery, and more.

The series is hosted in partnership with Invest Nebraska and The Combine. To learn about these events and to register, visit nbdc.unomaha.edu/agribusiness-sbir. For more information, contact Sara Bennett at bennettsa2@unk.edu or call (308) 627-4535.

Since its inception in 2013, the NBDC’s Innovation and Technology Commercialization program has worked with nearly 900 clients and aided in the submission of more than 100 proposals for SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding. From those submissions, 46 SBIR/STTR awards were granted, with total investment to businesses of more than $20 million.

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