This Week's Latest Tech News in Lincoln, NE - Sunday April 13th 2025 Edition

Lincoln's tech landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with projected growth of 16.4% in computer and math fields by 2030.

The Nebraska Innovation Campus has become a powerhouse, hosting over 70 tech entities and planning a 2.2 million square-foot expansion. The recent opening of SCC's $37 million Sandhills Global Technology Center adds crucial infrastructure for biotechnology and IT education.

The city's tech sector has created 1,800 positions in January alone, with entry-level developers starting at $90,530. Local success stories include innovative startups like Hudl and CompanyCam, which secured $30 million in recent funding.

The LaunchLNK program continues to fuel growth, providing $20,000 grants to promising startups, with program graduates raising over $100 million in follow-on funding.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's expansion of tech programs and the establishment of new research facilities further solidify Lincoln's position as an emerging tech hub.

This transformation is backed by substantial investments in agricultural technology and cybersecurity, with the sector contributing $10.5 billion to Nebraska's economy and anticipating a 20% surge by year-end.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is transforming into a powerhouse for tech education in 2025. UNL's data science program now offers specialized tracks in artificial intelligence, data pipeline management, and statistical modeling, preparing students for high-demand careers across multiple industries.

The university's commitment to innovation is evident through its emerging technology initiatives, including a sold-out tech conference featuring industry leaders from Microsoft and IBM, and hands-on student bootcamps in AI engineering.

The university is connecting with the local tech scene - the Nebraska Innovation Campus now hosts over 70 tech companies, creating awesome internship opportunities for students.

The university just secured a major win with its N2025 strategic plan, focusing on cross-disciplinary programs that blend traditional tech education with real-world applications.

Partnerships	Outcome	Salary
Major Tech Companies	Average Starting Salary	$90,530
	Experienced Professionals	Over $130,000

The expansion includes new facilities like Kiewit Hall and the Scott Engineering Center, featuring cutting-edge robotics labs and collaboration spaces.

The program stands out with its focus on practical experience - students work on actual industry projects, and there's a huge emphasis on cybersecurity and cloud architecture, which are seriously in-demand skills right now.

The results speak for themselves - the tech sector is contributing $10.5 billion to Nebraska's economy, and UNL's tech programs are a major driver of this growth.

With Lincoln adding 1,800 tech positions in early 2025 alone, and the university's cybersecurity program showing a mind-blowing 267% employment growth rate, UNL is definitely the place to be for anyone looking to break into tech.

New grant opportunities in innovation are transforming the agricultural technology landscape, with TechInnovate securing $5 million in funding this April 2025.

The investment, led by Silicon Plains VC, aligns with a broader wave of tech funding initiatives, including nationwide innovation programs supporting digital transformation across sectors.

Under CEO Daniel Johnson's leadership, TechInnovate is leveraging AI to revolutionize farming practices through automated crop monitoring, predictive analytics, and resource optimization systems.

The company's focus on sustainable agriculture coincides with emerging research in digital resiliency, ensuring their AI systems remain robust and adaptable.

Their flagship products integrate machine learning algorithms for real-time crop health monitoring and precise resource management, with early trials showing potential yield increases of up to 70% by 2050.

Green emphasizes that their technology stack specifically targets key agricultural challenges: disease prevention, resource conservation, and climate resilience.

The initiative positions Lincoln as an emerging hub for agricultural innovation, combining Silicon Plains' financial backing with TechInnovate's technical expertise.

The company's developments are particularly significant as they address both immediate farming needs and long-term food security challenges.

Through this strategic investment and technological implementation, TechInnovate is establishing Lincoln as a central force in the Midwest's agricultural technology revolution, demonstrating how AI can create more efficient and sustainable farming practices.

The Midwest Tech Connect Conference, held on April 10-11, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska, has emerged as a powerhouse event connecting over 8,000 investors and startups across the Midwest.

The conference attracted approximately 700 startups and 300 investors, focusing on Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A stages.

• Innovative technologies exhibited: A key highlight was the tech innovation showcase, where speakers demonstrated novel applications of emerging technologies across various sectors.
• Structured pricing model: The conference maintained its accessibility with free admission for founders while implementing a structured pricing model for investors and service providers, ensuring high-quality networking opportunities.
• Focus on security: The cybersecurity track drew particular attention, addressing critical technology security concerns for businesses of all sizes.
• Engagement through workshops: Interactive panels provided direct engagement with industry experts, while specialized workshops covered everything from AI implementation to sustainable tech solutions.

The event's impact was amplified by participation from major venture capital funds and angel investors, creating tangible opportunities for startup funding and growth.

The synergy between local government, academic institutions, and the tech industry continues to position Lincoln as an attractive destination for tech innovation.

The conference's success highlights the Midwest's growing influence in the national tech landscape, with Lincoln playing a pivotal role in fostering connections between entrepreneurs and investors.

This gathering not only showcased cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking ideas but also reinforced the region's commitment to building a robust tech ecosystem that rivals coastal tech hubs.

The thriving tech ecosystem of Lincoln welcomes SolarWave Solutions as a new tenant at Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC), marking a pivotal moment in the city's renewable energy landscape.

Latest industry reports show unprecedented growth in solar installations, with similar innovation hubs driving a 29% increase in solar capacity deployment for 2024.

SolarWave Solutions, leveraging cutting-edge solar panel technology trends, is investing over $3 million in R&D at NIC, focusing on perovskite solar cells that have achieved efficiency ratings above 27%.

The company's development roadmap aligns with global solar market projections, which indicate solar power will generate a quarter of the world's electricity by 2030.

Their planned product line includes new-generation bifacial panels, smart monitoring systems, and integrated storage solutions, positioning them to capture an estimated 15% market share within their first year.

The initiative promises to create 200 local jobs and establish Lincoln as a key player in the clean energy sector. This strategic expansion not only enhances the city's tech credentials but also contributes to the nationwide push for sustainable energy solutions, with SolarWave's innovations specifically targeting improved efficiency and accessibility for both residential and commercial applications.

The company's commitment to advancing solar technology while creating local employment opportunities demonstrates how Lincoln is evolving into a significant hub for renewable energy innovation.

ByteWorks has made a significant stride in response to the evolving tech landscape by expanding its workforce by an impressive 30% as of April 2025. This surge is primarily driven by the mounting demand for cloud solutions, particularly within the education and healthcare sectors.

Recent industry reports highlight that nearly 70% of educational institutions and 85% of healthcare organizations plan to integrate cloud technologies into their operations by the end of the year.

This increase in demand underscores why ByteWorks has focused its efforts on these sectors, seeing it as a prime opportunity to lead with innovative solutions.

In an effort to attract top-tier talent, ByteWorks has embarked on an aggressive recruiting campaign, harnessing both traditional and digital platforms to reach potential candidates.

As part of their recruitment strategy, they have implemented the following measures:

• Collaborative partnerships with local universities to access a pool of emerging tech talents.
• Hosting bi-monthly 'Tech Talent Days' aimed at showcasing company culture and career opportunities.
• Competitive salary packages augmented with comprehensive benefits, including upskilling opportunities.

ByteWorks' innovative recruitment approach is echoed by their HR lead, Karen Smith, who stated, “We are not just looking for employees; we’re building a team of visionaries who will propel us into the future of cloud technology.” This expansion not only boosts local employment rates but also plays a pivotal role in positioning Lincoln as a burgeoning tech hub in the Midwest.

Contributing to ByteWorks' success in scaling its workforce is their strategic collaboration with Lincoln's Regional Tech Institutes and a series of targeted workshops, which have been instrumental in enhancing the skillsets of current employees while attracting new talents eager to dive into the expanding world of cloud computing.

Lincoln's emergence as a dynamic tech hub in the Midwest continues to gain momentum in 2025, with the city experiencing remarkable growth in its technology sector.

Recent data shows a projected growth of 16.4% in computer and math fields by 2030, with the Nebraska Innovation Campus now hosting over 70 tech entities.

The city's strategic position between Chicago and Denver has attracted major players like CrowdStrike and Cisco, while entry-level developers command competitive salaries starting at $90,530.

The tech sector currently supports 9,000 jobs and contributes $1.2 billion to the local economy, with particularly strong growth in cloud architecture and cybersecurity roles.

The city's collaborative spirit is evident in initiatives like LaunchLNK, which provides $20,000 grants to promising startups, and the innovative partnership between Lincoln Public Schools and Code Lincoln to enhance computer science education.

The Nebraska Innovation Studio's new Robotics Fellowship program demonstrates the city's commitment to fostering cutting-edge technology development, offering substantial resources and mentorship to entrepreneurs.

With the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's expansion plans including 2.2 million square feet of development space and projected support for 5,000 jobs, Lincoln's position as a tech hub continues to strengthen.

The city's affordability, quality of life, and strategic location have created an ideal environment for tech professionals and companies looking to establish themselves in the growing Silicon Prairie region.

Lincoln, NE continues its transformation into a vibrant tech hub in 2025, with the Nebraska Innovation Campus now hosting over 70 tech entities.

The city's tech landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with companies like GrainWealth and AgriTech Enhance securing significant funding of $5 million and $3 million respectively.

The collaborative environment at Innovation Campus spans an impressive 2.2 million square feet, with 380,000 square feet already completed, providing essential space for tech initiatives and startups.

Notable success stories like Hudl and CompanyCam demonstrate the ecosystem's strength, with CompanyCam recently securing $30 million in funding and serving over 220,000 professionals.

The city's commitment to tech education and workforce development is evident through various initiatives.

The City's strategic investment has already benefited 1,400 community members through job skill training and credentialing programs.

The Center for People has helped over 180 individuals enroll in Google Career Certificate training, with 61 earning certificates specifically in IT fields. This robust support system has contributed to the tech sector's $10.5 billion economic impact on Nebraska's economy, with projections showing a 20% surge by year's end.

The startup ecosystem is particularly noteworthy, with LaunchLNK providing $20,000 grants to innovative companies.

Since 2018, 30 program graduates have raised over $100 million in follow-on funding, demonstrating the effectiveness of local support systems. The city's tech employment landscape continues to evolve, with entry-level developers now starting at $90,530 and experienced professionals earning upwards of $130,000, making Lincoln an increasingly attractive destination for tech talent.

In 2025, Lincoln's tech education landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with a 21% surge in the tech sector driving educational innovation.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln leads this transformation through strategic partnerships, contributing to Nebraska's $10.5 billion tech economy. A groundbreaking development is UNL's collaboration with SkillStorm, providing flexible online tech education and targeting career-shifters with specialized courses in cybersecurity and agricultural systems technology.

The Nebraska Innovation Campus now hosts over 70 entities, fostering a dynamic learning environment where industry meets academia. This hub is projected to support 5,000 jobs, with current initiatives including partnerships with ConAgra Foods and expanded pathogen surveillance programs.

The university's commitment to practical education is evident in its industry relations program, which facilitates research funding, facility sharing, and student internships.

Entry-level developers now start at $90,530, with experienced professionals earning upwards of $130,000, demonstrating the tangible benefits of tech education in Lincoln.

• Lincoln's Tech Landscape Growth: Tech education in Lincoln is rapidly expanding due to the 21% growth in the sector.
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Role: The university leads in tech education innovations through strategic partnerships.
• Industry and Academia Integration: Nebraska Innovation Campus fosters collaboration, supporting job growth and industry connections.
• Economic Impact: Entry-level developers earn substantial salaries, underscoring the high value of tech education.

The city's educational ecosystem encompasses various institutions, from traditional universities to coding bootcamps, all aligned with industry needs.

This comprehensive approach to tech education has positioned Lincoln as an emerging tech hub, attracting both students and employers with its blend of academic excellence and practical training opportunities.

The focus on experiential learning and industry connections has created a pipeline of talent ready to meet the growing demands of Lincoln's tech sector.

Lincoln's tech sector is experiencing remarkable growth while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. The city's tech employment has surged with 1,800 new positions added in January alone, while simultaneously pursuing ambitious environmental goals.

Through Mayor Gaylor Baird's Resilient Lincoln initiative, the city aims for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The Nebraska Innovation Campus, now home to over 70 tech entities, exemplifies this balance with its 2.2 million square feet of planned development incorporating sustainable design principles.

Local startups are leading the charge in eco-conscious innovation - GrainWealth and AgriTech Enhance have secured $8 million in combined funding to develop sustainable agricultural solutions.

The city's tech companies are increasingly adopting renewable energy sources, with Lincoln Electric System now deriving 34% of its power from renewable sources.

This shift has contributed to a 20% reduction in emissions since 2011. Tech facilities are implementing smart grid technologies and energy-efficient systems, while new developments must meet stringent environmental standards.

The collaboration between the tech sector and environmental initiatives has created a model for sustainable growth, proving that technological advancement and environmental stewardship can successfully coexist.

With continued investment in green technologies and support for eco-conscious startups, Lincoln is establishing itself as a leader in sustainable tech development.

Lincoln's tech landscape is experiencing remarkable growth, with cloud architecture and cybersecurity leading the charge.

The city's tech sector currently contributes $1.2 billion to the local economy, with over 9,000 tech jobs and counting. Major players like Fiserv, CrowdStrike, and Cisco are actively expanding their presence, while the University of Nebraska's $17 million investment in robotics signals strong institutional backing.

The surge in AI-related job postings, up 40% from last year, reflects the industry's dynamic evolution.

Local startups are making waves, particularly in the ag-tech space.

GrainWealth secured $5 million in funding, while AgriTech Enhance attracted $3 million, showcasing Lincoln's growing reputation as an agricultural innovation hub.

The Nebraska Innovation Campus, now home to over 70 tech entities, plans to expand to 2.2 million square feet and is projected to support 5,000 jobs.

Education and workforce development remain crucial priorities.

The city's Future-Ready Workforce Initiative, backed by $1.3 million in funding, is creating pathways for residents to transition into tech careers.

Entry-level software developers now command salaries starting at $90,530, with experienced professionals earning upwards of $130,000. The tech community's growth is further strengthened by initiatives like Code Lincoln's partnership with public schools and the upcoming Kernelcon 2025 cybersecurity conference, positioning Lincoln as an emerging tech hub in the Midwest.

In April 2025, Lincoln, Nebraska continues to emerge as a vibrant tech ecosystem, with recent developments strengthening its position as a Midwestern innovation hub.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's commitment to tech education is evidenced by their impressive achievements in technology and business programs, including rising enrollment numbers and innovative research initiatives.

The city's tech landscape is further enriched by the dynamic calendar of tech meetups and conferences, fostering a collaborative environment for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Lincoln's commitment to fostering innovation is demonstrated through events like the 2025 Engineering Pitch Competition, which brings together interdisciplinary teams to solve real-world problems.

This spirit of innovation extends beyond the university, with local tech companies expanding their operations and creating new job opportunities in cloud computing, AI, and data analytics.

The Nebraska Innovation Campus continues to serve as a catalyst for technological advancement, hosting startups and established companies that are pushing boundaries in sectors ranging from agtech to renewable energy.

The city's tech ecosystem is particularly notable for its focus on practical applications and workforce development.

Regular gatherings of the Lincoln Open Source Community, JavaScript Enthusiasts Meetup, and Women in Technology groups create valuable networking opportunities and skill-sharing platforms.

The combination of educational initiatives, business expansion, and community engagement positions Lincoln as an increasingly influential player in the national tech landscape, attracting talent and investment while maintaining its distinctive Midwestern approach to innovation and growth.