The UNO Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising serves as a bridge between the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and the diverse entrepreneurial community in the Omaha, Nebraska area. Your participation in growing our ecosystem is vital to the community and students! Here are some ways you can be involved.
Get Involved
As a center, CIEF provides scholarships, educational opportunities, experiential learning, and community collaborations to Omaha and our students. Here are some ways that you can get involved and impact students and the community.
If you would like to get involved, click on the heading that matches your interest.
Apply for Venture Capital Funding
Founded by UNO students and alumni, the Maverick Venture Fund provide students with the opportunity to learn key principles and concepts necessary to invest seed capital into startups founded by UNO students and alumni.
In the MVF a student venture board researches, recommends, and monitors several investments under the supervision of local venture capitalists.
Be a Mentor
Mentorship is not only a critical part of a student's growth, but also rewarding for the mentor! The Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community is seeking mentors to come to UNO and have lunch once a month with the ELLC cohort.
CIEF looks to pair mentors with ELLC students in their field of interest to discuss professional development, challenges of life, and what your journey as an entrepreneur has taught you. Additionally, CIEF is looking for Breakthrough Weekend mentors. Breakthrough Weekend challenges innovative individuals to build a business in a weekend with like-minded students and community members.
Be a Judge
The Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising hosts events each semester that require judges. Every fall, students compete in Breakthrough Weekend and the BigIdea! Pitch Contest. In the Spring, students compete in the Maverick Business Plan Competition.
Speaking Engagements
Get in front of students to share your story and what you have learned in your journey as an entrepreneur on three different occasions! Collegiate Entrepreneur's Organization (CEO) meets every Wednesday from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Mammel Hall to hear from an entrepreneur.
The Entrepreneurial Living Learning Community (ELLC) will engage with professional to put on workshops and/or speak to the cohort. Entrepreneurial courses at UNO equip students by providing learning opportunities from volunteer speakers who have experience in starting their own business.
Get Connected with Alumni
Every April, A Celebration of Entrepreneurship Gala takes place where alumni have a chance to reconnect, network, and support UNO's Entrepreneurship Center. During the night, we will celebrate entrepreneurs and businesses with awards in the following categories: high-growth business, social venture, best place to work, entrepreneurs under 30, and outstanding male and female alumni. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know, click here!
Business Consultation
Do you have a business with a strategic management or marketing problem? Would you like MBA students to work on your strategic problem and deliver a consultation report within 7 weeks? If you would like to learn more about this opportunity please click on the heading above.
Donate
Your financial donation provides necessary support for the impactful programs that CIEF provides to the community and its students. To read more about all the programs CIEF provides please read our About Us page. Read a letter from our board advisors, Willy Theisen and Van Deeb. Click here to donate.