- Entrepreneurship Accelerator A2

Lunch with Founder on Feb. 2 – Breck Collingsworth
by Mallory Krenk 23 Jan '26

23 Jan '26

Catalysts and Accelerator members, Breck Collingsworth, founder of Resort Lifestyle Communities<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://rlcommunities.com/__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU… >, is speaking in director, Sam Nelson’s classes on Monday, Feb. 2. In between classes, he’s opening his lunch hour to you! Attendees will: * Learn about Breck’s journey from idea to industry leader * Ask candid questions about leadership, growth, and building a career in entrepreneurship * Enjoy free lunch Resort Lifestyle Communities is an all-inclusive, independent retirement experience for seniors 55+. With over 60 locations nationwide, Breck and his team bring deep experience in strategically scaling a business. Jake McGlade, director of market research, will also be joining. He leads the market research behind where and why new communities are built, translating data into high-impact growth decisions. What: Lunch with a Founder: Breck Collingsworth When: Monday, Feb. 2, 11:30am Where: HLH 310 Why: To hear directly from leaders who blend vision and data to build a national company and to learn how entrepreneurial decisions are made at scale. Also, free lunch. Who: You! Capacity is limited. First come, first serve, but you must register and registration will close when capacity is met. Register here by Thursday, January 29: https://go.unl.edu/entrlunch (Trust, you don’t want to miss this! Breck has a wealth of knowledge and experience.) All the best, Mallory [University of Nebraska – Lincoln] Mallory Krenk Student Engagement and Recruitment Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship<https://entrepreneurship.unl.edu/ > University of Nebraska–Lincoln

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Help needed! Serve as a judge for High School Quick Pitch on November 21
by Mallory Krenk 14 Oct '25

14 Oct '25

Hey all, We need you! Around 80 students from area high schools are joining us on campus on Friday, November 21, to individually pitch their entrepreneurial ideas in three minutes or less, and we need YOU to judge. Sign up to judge the preliminary round from 8:30-10:00am in the College of Business here: https://go.unl.edu/hsquickpitchjudge As a judge for the preliminary round, you'll actively listen to approximately 10 pitches (three minutes each), get 2 minutes to ask each of them a few questions and choose one to advance to the second round later that day. Rubrics and example questions provided. What: Judge High School Quick Pitch When: Friday, November 21, 2025 What Time: 8:30-10:00am Where do I go?: Hawks Hall 229 Please reach out if you have any questions. Further communication and details to follow! We appreciate your help. All the best, Mallory [University of Nebraska – Lincoln] Mallory Krenk Student Engagement + Recruitment Coordinator Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship<https://entrepreneurship.unl.edu/ > University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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Action needed! Field Trip this Thursday to Lincoln Industries
by Mallory Krenk 14 Oct '25

14 Oct '25

Hello Accelerator members! For visitor pass reasons for our field trip this Thursday to Lincoln Industries, we need an accurate headcount. Please complete the following form by noon tomorrow (Wednesday, October 15) here: https://go.unl.edu/lincolnindustriesfieldtrip This field trip is required, but if you have a conflict, please send an email to Dr. Thomsen and myself so we can find an alternative event or involvement. When: Thursday, October 16, 4:00-5:30pm (arrive between 3:45 and 4:00pm) Where: 600 W E St, Lincoln, NE 68522, East Entrance (noted in green on the attached map) What are we doing? * 4:00-4:45pm: Company Tour * 4:45-5:30pm: Culture and Leadership Panel * Come prepared with 1-2 questions for the panelists Dress code: closed toe shoes, jeans and Husker, Accelerator, or Center for Entrepreneurship shirt! About Lincoln Industries: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://lincolnindustries.com/who-we-are/__;!!P… Lincoln Industries is a privately held American company specializing in advanced metal finishing and manufacturing solutions. Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, it was founded in 1952 (originally as Lincoln Plating) and has grown into one of the largest privately held metal finishing firms in North America. Over time, Lincoln Industries has expanded its capabilities beyond just finishing to include tube fabrication, engineering support, supply chain management, coatings, and other value-added services. With more than 1,400 employees across facilities in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Mexico, the company balances growth, innovation, and culture while maintaining family ownership into its third generation. [cid:image001.png@01DC3CEE.09FEF8A0] All the best, Mallory [University of Nebraska – Lincoln] Mallory Krenk Student Engagement + Recruitment Coordinator Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship<https://entrepreneurship.unl.edu/ > University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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Silicon Prairie Pitch Competition + Competition Database and Funding
by Mallory Krenk 27 Aug '25

27 Aug '25

Hello Accelerator members, Coming to you with an upcoming competition opportunity, the Silicon Prairie Startup Week Pitch Competition<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://siliconprairienews.com/events/startup-w… > – the registration deadline in September 1 at 11:59pm (this coming Monday). Apply here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://siliconprairienews.com/events/startup-w… An Accelerator duo (Kenny Morales and Wilson Overfield, co-founders of FindU) actually won this competition and $10,000 last year! On behalf of our team, I would highly recommend each of you apply! There’s a $10,000 cash prize and a $2,500 People’s Choice Award. This event takes place during Silicon Prairie Startup Week, a week packed full of events in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lincoln and Omaha. If you’re not interested in applying, but want to attend some of the events, you can view the calendar here<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://siliconprairienews.com/events/silicon-p… >. Here’s the timeline: 1. Apply: Submit your application with a 2-minute video pitch or a short, 250-word written submission by September 1, 2025. 2. Semi-Finalists: The top 20 startups will be selected as semi-finalists and announced on September 18, 2025. 3. Showcase Opportunity: Semi-finalists will be invited to set up a table at the Startup Showcase, providing a fantastic opportunity to network, demonstrate your product and gain valuable feedback. 4. Finalists: After the semi-finalist round, five startups will be chosen to move on to the finals. 5. Live Pitch: Finalists will present their pitches live in front of an audience and a panel of three judges on October 8, 2025. As Dr. Thomsen mentioned last night, the center has funding to support you to compete in external competitions in the community or held by other universities and colleges. You must apply and decisions are made on a case by case basis. This funding can help you cover the cost of travel (airfare, hotel, registration fees, etc.). Sammy Kendeigh, the center's cohort program assistant, compiled information about said competitions in a database for you all to explore. Dr. Thomsen will put this information in Canvas. Please also see the attached 1-pager with a bit more information. * Competition Database: https://go.unl.edu/externalcompetitionopportunities * Funding Request: https://go.unl.edu/externalcompetitionfundingrequest All the best, Mallory [cid:image001.gif@01D94901.CBF9F010] Mallory Krenk Student Engagement and Recruitment Coordinator University of Nebraska–Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship calendly.com/mkrenk2<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://calendly.com/mkrenk2__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-t… > CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Maximizer, Ideation, Relator, Achiever

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Welcome back and see you soon. ROOM 202
by Lindsay Thomsen 26 Aug '25

26 Aug '25

Team Accelerator!!! Welcome back to school. We look forward to seeing you all at our Accelerator kick off meeting on Tuesday, August 26th, 3:30-5:30pm, in the College of Business. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION, we’ll be in room 202. Today, we will review the agenda and expectations, introduce you to this year’s peer groups and reveal your mentor, and take professional pictures for the Accelerator website. Also, there will be FOOD and GIFTS because you are all deserving of it! See you soon later today, Lindsay [signature_3890221087] Dr. Lindsay Thomsen<https://business.unl.edu/people/lthomsen/ > Assistant Professor of Practice, Department of Management Director of Student Business Development, Center for Entrepreneurship University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, Center for Entrepreneurship 730 N 14th Street, HLH 315E Lincoln, NE 68588-0487 Lindsay.Thomsen(a)unl.edu [cidimage002.png(a)01D9EA20.FD122C60]

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Accelerator launch!!!
by Lindsay Thomsen 22 Jul '25

22 Jul '25

Hello Team Accelerator! We are so excited for the upcoming year of the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator! Your Canvas course is live and outlines events and important dates for the fall. Most events will take place on Thursdays from 3:30-4:45 in the College of Business; however, there are a few other required events on other days. Please see the syllabus to add all dates to your calendar. To launch this exciting year, please join us for our kickoff on Tuesday, August 26th, from 3:30-5:30pm in Hawks Hall Room 223. We will outline expectations and the academic year ahead, introduce you to your peer group, reveal your mentor, take headshots and group photos, and more! Dinner will be served AND there will be gifts! Attendance is expected and required for the kickoff. This summer, feel free to post your personalized Accelerator graphic on your social pages. Find yours here: LINK<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://uofnebraska.sharepoint.com/sites/UNL-Co… >. Please keep in mind your scholarship (and ENTR 424 grade) is dependent on active participation in Accelerator programming throughout the semester/academic year. These experiences are made available for you to meet your personal and entrepreneurial goals. If you have questions, please contact Mallory at mkrenk2(a)unl.edu<mailto:mkrenk2@unl.edu> or Dr. Thomsen at lindsay.thomsen(a)unl.edu<mailto:lindsay.thomsen@unl.edu>. Looking forward to seeing each of you soon! Lindsay [signature_1533915309] Dr. Lindsay Thomsen<https://business.unl.edu/people/lthomsen/ > Assistant Professor of Practice in Management & Entrepreneurship Director of Business Development for the Center for Entrepreneurship University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, Center for Entrepreneurship HLH 315E, 730 N 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588 Lindsay.Thomsen(a)unl.edu [cidimage002.png(a)01D9EA20.FD122C60]

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2026

2025

Entrepreneurship Accelerator A2 ----- 2026 ----- October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 ----- 2025 ----- December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025

Entrepreneurship Accelerator A2