Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. I am the ROI
  4. 'I Am the ROI': Tony Valenti

'I Am the ROI': Tony Valenti

  • published: 2022/10/03
  • contact: MarComm Editorial and Media Relations - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • College of Information Science & Technology
UNO alumnus Tony Valenti, tech entrepreneur

UNO alumnus Tony Valenti, tech entrepreneur

This profile is part of the "I Am the ROI" series featuring alumni whose return on investment from their UNO education goes far beyond career opportunities.

If there is one word that could describe University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alumnus Tony Valenti, it would be “driven.”

In the early days of the internet, Valenti worked hard to learn as much as he could before even attending UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology (IS&T). His relentless drive and determination shaped his academic journey through UNO a little differently than most.

Rather than completing his general education requirements up front, Valenti dove straight into the more challenging classes of his degree. Valenti had a strong idea of the coursework he wanted to pursue. Faculty within UNO’s IS&T worked alongside him to explore niche areas of focus through independent study courses. One of his favorite professors was John Clark, who was an instructor in IS&T in the 2000s. His focus on data structures and algorithms was invaluable for Valenti’s career path.

“Data structures and algorithms taught me new ways of thinking. The concepts in that class make the difference between a solution that works and one that is really, really great,” he said. “It teaches and applies concepts that elevate ‘computer programming’ into actual ‘computer science.’ There are very few places that offer this caliber of education.”

While attending UNO, Valenti worked for a small startup company in the Scott Technology Center. Despite never having worked for a company before, the experience inspired him to launch his own company while still attending college.

His first company focused on helping businesses manage their online presence. While a number of similar companies already existed at the time, Valenti recognized he could provide a competitive advantage: exemplary expertise and customer service. Valenti mentioned that, at the time, most people expected to pay around $5 per month for web hosting. His company, with its deep technical expertise and strong focus on 24/7 customer service, had business customers who were paying in excess of $250,000 per year.

He put college on hold while his company grew and demanded more of his attention. About a decade later, his startup was acquired by a publicly traded company and Valenti returned to UNO to finish what he had started. UNO was ready to welcome him back to complete his final few courses and earn his undergraduate degree.

“If there's one thing that I would echo to a prospective student, it would be this: Pursue greatness in your field. Don't go to college to be average. Put in the time to become an Olympian in your field and graduate with honors because that's what will really make the difference. Nobody wants to hire second place and it is always a photo-finish.”

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

  • News Sections:
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events
SHARE

News Sections

  • News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured Stories

  • #NUforNE: Keeping Nebraska Communities Healthy
  • Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li
  • The Semester Guide
  • More Than 4,800 UNO Students Named to Dean's, Chancellor's Lists in Fall 2022

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.

About University Communications

  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page