This Week's Latest Tech News in Omaha, NE - Sunday April 6th 2025 Edition

Omaha's rise as a tech hub in 2025 is marked by remarkable growth, as evidenced by its seventh-place ranking among North America's Next 25 Markets.

The city's tech workforce stands at 23,330 professionals, with average salaries reaching $101,814, representing a 24.9% increase over five years. Major companies like Google, Facebook, and Toast have established local operations, while tech roles are seeing significant demand - cloud engineers command $112,000 annually, and cybersecurity positions start at $87,500.

Despite ranking lower in Technical.ly's Innovation Index, Omaha excels in affordability and economic mobility, making it attractive for startups and tech professionals.

The city's educational landscape is evolving too, with the University of Nebraska Omaha offering specialized programs in information technology, including Nebraska's first AI degree.

With a tech unemployment rate of just 2.2% and projected 18% growth in cybersecurity jobs, Omaha's transformation into a tech metropolis is well underway, supported by a collaborative ecosystem of established companies, startups, and educational institutions.

The tech landscape in Nebraska is experiencing significant momentum, with Crescent securing a $5 million pre-seed round for their innovative cash management platform.

This Lincoln-based fintech, known for crypto-backed high yields, is revolutionizing how companies manage idle capital, offering yields up to 4% APY on USDC-backed investments.

In parallel, Fiserv's Back2Business program has committed $1 million to support minority-owned small businesses in Nebraska, providing grants up to $10,000 for eligible businesses.

The region's tech ecosystem continues to mature with Toast's expansion in Omaha, following their $400 million funding round that valued the company at $4.9 billion.

These developments showcase Nebraska's growing appeal as a tech hub, with companies leveraging local talent and resources to drive innovation. The surge in fintech activity particularly highlights the region's potential for disrupting traditional financial services, while creating new job opportunities and fostering economic growth.

As these companies roll out their solutions, Nebraska's position in the national tech landscape continues to strengthen, attracting both investment and talent to the region.

Omaha's tech scene is reaching new heights in 2025, with the city experiencing unprecedented growth in tech employment opportunities. According to recent market analysis, the tech unemployment rate sits at just 2.2%, while major players like Google, Facebook, and Toast have established strong presences in the region.

The average tech salary now stands at $81,000, with Cloud Engineers commanding up to $112,000 annually.

A deep dive into current job listings shows over 160 active tech positions across various specializations, from cybersecurity to software development.

The city's appeal is further enhanced by its significantly lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs, making it an attractive destination for tech professionals.

Key growth areas include cloud architecture, where professionals skilled in AWS, Azure, and GCP are in high demand, and cybersecurity positions starting at $87,500.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha's top-ranked public cybersecurity program is helping meet this demand, while educational institutions across the state are expanding their tech programs, including Nebraska's first Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence.

With companies like Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific, and Yahoo driving innovation, and AI specialist salaries running 25% higher than traditional tech roles, Omaha's tech sector shows no signs of slowing down.

The city's tech ecosystem continues to evolve, offering diverse opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals in this rapidly expanding market.

Omaha's transformation into a smart city is accelerating through public-private partnerships that drive infrastructure deployment and innovation.

The Metro Smart Cities initiative, co-chaired by Mayor Jean Stothert and Robert Anderson of Werner Enterprises, focuses on solving transportation and mobility challenges through pilot projects.

Recent implementations include IoT sensors across major intersections, which have reduced traffic congestion by 25% since 2024. The initiative differs from other smart city programs nationwide by maintaining a dedicated focus on transportation solutions, allowing for concentrated efforts in mobility improvement.

The city's commitment to smart development is backed by substantial investment and collaborative expertise.

Through strategic partnerships with tech firms and urban planners, Omaha has secured significant funding for infrastructure modernization. As one of eleven cities selected for the Smart Cities initiative, Omaha leverages technology to enhance public services, implementing solutions like autonomous transit routes that are expected to reduce wait times by 30%.

The initiative's steering committee, comprising business leaders, transit representatives, and civic officials, ensures diverse perspectives in project planning and execution.

The impact extends beyond transportation efficiency.

Real estate values near smart infrastructure corridors have increased by 12%, while 65% of residents report improved daily routines. These outcomes align with Transformation 2025's vision for a more connected and prosperous city.

Through data-driven decision making and collaborative governance, Omaha is establishing itself as a model for smart urban development while maintaining a pragmatic focus on solutions that directly benefit residents.

Collaborative governance plays a critical role in driving these advancements.

The Omaha tech scene is absolutely crushing it in 2025, with TechOmaha's community events drawing unprecedented crowds. The April lineup is stacked with cutting-edge content, including the groundbreaking AI Omaha meetup on April 3rd, where David Martin is diving into AI-driven agentic workflows and automated cloud architecture.

Following that, DC402's meetup on April 8th is tackling branch prediction and CPU security risks, showing how deep the technical expertise runs in our community.

The cybersecurity focus has intensified, with the recent events seeing a 15% attendance boost compared to last year.

The networking opportunities at these events have been next-level, with the Omaha Tech Community Survey 2025 showing that 68% of participants are making solid professional connections.

What's really cool is how these meetups are evolving - they're not just talks anymore. Kernelcon's Race Condition conference is bringing hands-on villages with various hacking tools and real-world challenge scenarios, making learning way more interactive and practical.

The mix of formats is super effective - from casual networking at Kros Strain Brewing to deep technical discussions at Improving's office space.

These varied settings are creating an inclusive vibe that's bringing together developers, security pros, and tech enthusiasts from all backgrounds. The AI and cybersecurity crossover is particularly hot right now, with new projects spinning up from connections made at these events.

What's making this work so well is the balance between cutting-edge tech content and community building.

These aren't just meetups anymore - they're becoming the backbone of Omaha's tech evolution. Whether you're into AI, security, or just want to connect with other tech folks, there's something happening almost every week.

It's pretty clear that Omaha's tech scene isn't just growing - it's leveling up in a major way.

The University of Nebraska is revolutionizing its educational landscape with major developments in 2025. The College of Business is launching an innovative core curriculum featuring 23 courses designed to create data-driven decision-makers and effective communicators.

This overhaul comes as UNL's entrepreneurship program ranks #42 globally and #23 in the Midwest. Keeping pace with industry demands, the university has partnered with Ziplines Education to offer micro-credentials in high-demand areas like digital marketing, business analytics, and project management.

The university is mixing traditional education with real-world experience - first-year students dive right in with hands-on projects and get paired with peer coaches.

The program goes beyond just classroom learning, with Nebraska Innovation Campus facilitating partnerships between UNL and private sector businesses, generating $6.5 million in revenue through tech transfers and creating real opportunities for students.

Each course is designed to build practical skills, from using essential business tools like Tableau and Salesforce to mastering emerging technologies. Whether you're into AI, data science, or entrepreneurship, the curriculum covers it all.

The university's goal is clear: prepare students for the real world by connecting them directly with local tech companies and startups. With over 92 majors now featuring entrepreneurship-related courses and faculty who bring actual business experience to the classroom, UNL is stepping up its game to meet the evolving needs of the tech industry while maintaining its position as a leader in entrepreneurial education.

Omaha's startup scene is absolutely crushing it in 2025! The city has climbed to rank #202 globally and #58 in the US, with 84 innovative startups making waves across different sectors.

Leading the pack is Carson Group, which has pulled in over $1B in funding, proving Omaha's got serious startup muscle. Companies like Workshop, an internal communications platform, and BuilderTREND, a construction management software leader, are transforming their respective industries.

The tech sector is contributing $19.7 billion to the local economy, with tech jobs seeing a 15% boost since 2020.

• Startup Ecosystem: The ecosystem is particularly strong in fintech, with companies like BasicBlock and Omaha National leading the charge, while Pinata is excelling in cloud solutions.
• Average Tech Salary: The average tech salary hitting $81,000 is notable, especially considering Omaha's lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.
• Venture Capital: The city's also becoming a magnet for venture capital, with startups like Bluestem Biosciences and Fleet Defender securing significant funding rounds.
• Industry Disruption: Whether it's AI, blockchain, or healthtech, Omaha's startups are seriously disrupting traditional industries and creating solutions that are gaining nationwide attention.

Omaha's tech infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025, with the city ranking 7th among North America's emerging tech talent markets.

The citywide modernization includes OPPD's implementation of advanced metering infrastructure, which will provide automated outage reporting and an interactive outage map.

Google's $750 million investment in a new data center in northwest Omaha strengthens the city's position as a growing tech hub, while Metropolitan Utilities District's 2025 infrastructure investments support this rapid growth with critical utility improvements.

The city's commitment to digital inclusion continues through community-based Digital Literacy Programs, now enhanced by partnerships with local tech companies.

The expansion of high-speed internet access has reached previously underserved areas, with public Wi-Fi coverage extending to all major transit routes. The $9 billion citywide development initiative includes tech-focused projects like UNMC's EDGE District and The Catalyst, a 170,000-square-foot innovation campus that provides startups with advanced connectivity solutions.

Beyond infrastructure, Omaha's tech sector shows promising growth with an average tech talent wage of $101,814, representing a 24.9% increase over five years.

The presence of unique tech infrastructure, including the University of Nebraska Medical Center and UNO's pioneering AI degree program, positions Omaha as a competitive tech hub.

These developments, combined with improving infrastructure and growing talent pool, demonstrate Omaha's evolution into a technology-forward city capable of supporting future innovation and digital advancement.

Omaha's commitment to sustainable technology is reaching new heights in 2025, with Google's groundbreaking partnership with OPPD leading the charge through their 420-megawatt solar system and 680 MWh battery storage project.

The initiative is expected to create 540 jobs and generate $5.3 million in annual economic activity. Complementing this effort, Green Plains Inc. is revolutionizing the ethanol industry with its Tallgrass carbon capture project, which aims to reduce carbon intensity scores from 51 to 19 at their Central City facility.

The city's transformation extends beyond individual projects, as evidenced by Omaha's Climate Action and Resilience Plan, which targets carbon neutrality by 2050 through innovative tech solutions and green infrastructure.

Key sustainable tech initiatives include:

• Clean Energy Infrastructure: OPPD's Pierce County Energy Center development is scheduled for completion in 2027.
• Carbon Capture Technology: Implementation of compression infrastructure allows for 800,000 tons of annual CO2 sequestration.
• Smart City Solutions: Projects like traffic signal optimization and rapid transit systems aim to reduce emissions.

These developments are attracting tech companies focused on sustainability, with several firms establishing operations in Omaha to leverage the city's growing green infrastructure.

The convergence of environmental technology and economic growth is creating a blueprint for sustainable urban development, with projections indicating a significant expansion of the green tech workforce by 2026.

As Omaha positions itself at the forefront of sustainable technology, these initiatives are transforming the city into a model for eco-conscious innovation while generating substantial economic benefits.

In 2025, Omaha's tech industry continues making historic strides in gender diversity, highlighted by the inaugural Nebraska Women in Tech Summit at Kiewit La Vista in March.

The summit brought together over 250 tech professionals, featuring discussions on AI, data security, and career growth. Notably, five outstanding women received recognition for their contributions, including Dr. Ada-Rhodes Short for championing diversity and Tess McKinney for innovations in XR education.

The summit's proceeds support CodeCrush, providing iSTEM experiences for young female students, and Women in Tech of the Heartland's mentoring initiatives. Local programs like Women in Technology Omaha (WITO) have helped increase female participation in Omaha's tech workforce by 30% since 2023.

The Tech Innovators Collective (TIC) complements these efforts through inclusive hiring practices and scholarships, resulting in a 25% boost in female tech employment rates.

The impact of these diversity initiatives is reflected in workplace culture and innovation.

According to the Greater Omaha Chamber, companies with balanced gender representation show 20% higher team satisfaction and 15% increased productivity. Leading companies are now prioritizing gender-neutral job descriptions, mentorship programs, and employee resource groups to foster inclusivity.

These efforts position Omaha as an emerging hub for gender equality in tech, demonstrating how targeted initiatives can transform local tech ecosystems while driving economic growth and innovation.

Omaha's tech scene is capturing global recognition, solidifying its position as an emerging tech powerhouse. Ranking 7th among North America's emerging tech talent markets, Omaha has demonstrated remarkable growth with tech salaries averaging $101,814, representing a 24.9% increase over five years.

The city's appeal has grown significantly, with major players like Google and Facebook establishing local offices, contributing to a thriving tech ecosystem with a low 2.2% tech unemployment rate.

The presence of international companies has sparked increased participation in global tech events, with Omaha-based professionals showcasing their expertise worldwide.

UNO's recent recognition at the 39th Annual AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence highlights the city's growing influence in cutting-edge research and development.

The tech sector now contributes $19.7 billion to the local economy, with companies like Toast, Mutual of Omaha, and Cox Enterprises driving innovation and attracting global talent.

This transformation has created a dynamic environment where tech professionals can thrive while enjoying a lower cost of living compared to coastal tech hubs.

The city's commitment to tech education and workforce development, exemplified by programs like UNO's pioneering AI degree, ensures a sustainable pipeline of talent ready to meet the demands of an increasingly connected global tech landscape.

Omaha's emergence as a tech powerhouse in 2025 is marked by impressive growth and transformation. Tech salaries now average $81,000, with specialized roles like Network Architects earning up to $160,778.

The city has attracted 147 new tech companies, demonstrating robust ecosystem growth. Major players like Google, with two data centers in Council Bluffs, and Yahoo, employing 350 people locally, have strengthened Omaha's tech foundation.

CBRE's recent report ranks Omaha 7th among North America's emerging tech talent markets, with tech wages growing 24.9% over five years.

The local economy continues to diversify, with traditional sectors like healthcare, finance, and agriculture embracing technological innovation.

Organizations like the Startup Collaborative provide crucial support for entrepreneurs, while co-working spaces foster collaboration and innovation.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha's introduction of the state's first AI degree program reflects the city's commitment to developing future tech talent.

Companies like Mutual of Omaha and Union Pacific are leading digital transformation efforts, implementing advanced data analytics and cloud computing solutions.

The tech job market remains strong with a 2.2% unemployment rate, particularly in high-demand areas like cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and AI development.

As Omaha's tech scene evolves, the combination of competitive salaries, lower cost of living, and growing opportunities continues to attract talent and investment, solidifying its position as a midwestern tech hub.