Entrepreneurship Week

The “entrepreneurial edge” is the theme of the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO)’s first-ever Entrepreneurship Week, featuring a live elevator pitch contest and several guest speakers who will share how entrepreneurial mindset and skills can make a difference for students and professionals in any career.

The Big Idea Pitch Contest live finals and six interactive presentations are slated for the week of Sept. 28–Oct. 2. Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising and Northwestern Mutual.

Big Idea Pitch Contest Live Finals

Watch 12 finalists face off in the final round of the Big Idea Pitch Contest on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 P.M. in Mammel Hall 113 (auditorium). Refreshments will be served in the atrium starting at 5:15 P.M. The live pitch winner will receive $500 and a trip to Kansas City to pitch at a national conference.

Students are also encouraged to vote for their favorite video pitch at tiny.cc/bigidea. Voting is open through Tuesday, Sept. 29. Popular vote winners will be announced at the live pitch contest and will receive cash prizes.

Entrepreneurship Week Presentations

Students, staff, faculty and community members are encouraged to attend the following events, which include lunch and door prizes:

Maximizing the Entrepreneurial Edge in Large Corporations

Panel hosted by Economics Professor Ben Smith
Monday, Sept. 28, noon–1 P.M.
Community Engagement Center, lower lounge
RSVP

Innovators from some of Omaha’s largest firms reveal how they use their entrepreneurial skills to lead their organizations.

Understanding the Social Entrepreneurship Edge

Panel hosted by Marketing and Management Professor Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles
Tuesday, Sept. 29, noon–1 P.M.
Community Engagement Center, lower lounge
RSVP

Social entrepreneurs discuss the promise and reality of creating social as well as economic value and what they offer that charities and other businesses do not.

The Entrepreneurial Edge for Artists and Creatives

Panel hosted by Marketing and Management Professor Erin Bass and Mr. Jack Zerbe
Wednesday, Sept. 30, noon–1 P.M.
Community Engagement Center, lower lounge
RSVP

Creatives from fine arts to dance to graphic design discuss how their entrepreneurial edge allowed them to create careers out of their passions.

Finding the Entrepreneurial Edge in Your Career

Panel hosted by Marketing and Management Professor Leif Lundmark
Thursday, Oct. 1, noon–1 P.M.
Community Engagement Center, lower lounge
RSVP

Scholars, entrepreneurs and corporate recruiters discuss how entrepreneurial mindset and skills help build successful careers in any field.

Students are also encouraged to attend the following special sessions. Registration is required.

Financial Entrepreneuring

Presentation hosted by Northwestern Mutual
Tuesday, Sept. 29, noon–1 P.M. (lunch included)
Mammel Hall 116
RSVP

Discover how an entrepreneurial mindset — the right habits, attitude and perseverance — creates success in any career. View the event flier to learn more.

Demonstrating Your Entrepreneurial Edge by “Doing Leadership”

Interactive workshop hosted at C&A Industries Inc.
Friday, Oct. 2, 11 A.M.–1 P.M. (lunch included + chance to win iPad mini)
RSVP

Leadership is something anyone can do (and leadership is something you do), but it must be learned and achieved. View the event flier to learn more.