FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friends and Supporters,
What an incredible year it's been at the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)! As we share our 2024 annual report, I'm excited to tell you about the impact we're making across Nebraska, building on our nearly 50year legacy of helping businesses thrive.
We’ve been busy this year. For one, you’ll notice something different about this year's report – we've said goodbye to our tradition of NBDC blue. Our fresh rebrand and new logo better reflect who we are today and connect us more firmly with our home institution – the University of Nebraska at Omaha – and the University of Nebraska system. We think this new look captures both our history of service and our vision for the future.
Through our four programs of service (APEX Accelerator, Small Business Development Center, Innovation & Technology, and SourceLink Nebraska), we've directly helped 2,150 business owners start, grow, and transform their dreams into reality through business start or growth.
Each one has a unique story that inspires us to do what we do.
Inside this report, you'll meet some of these amazing entrepreneurs and see the real numbers behind our impact. We're especially proud to introduce our 2024 award winners – they're truly showing what Nebraska business is all about.
None of this happens without support. We're grateful to the University of Nebraska, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Defense, and our other federal, state, and private partners who make our work possible.
Thanks for being part of our story.
Dan Curran NBDC Executive Director
1
WHERE NBDC CLIENTS ARE LOCATED
NBDC’S NEW BRAND IDENTITY: A MODERN LOOK AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS
For nearly 50 years, the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) has been a trusted, no-cost resource for Nebraska’s business owners and entrepreneurs.
In 1977, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) was selected to host one of the nation’s first eight University Business Development Centers. Since then, NBDC has expanded into a statewide network of programs and services, with satellite offices hosted by partner organizations and academic institutions across Nebraska.
As we continue to evolve, we’ve reimagined our brand to reflect both our modern approach to serving Nebraskans and our deep connection to UNO. This new identity honors our legacy while positioning NBDC for the future.
Professional and modern:
The clean, bold typography of the logo conveys professionalism, strength, and clarity — which align with NBDC's role as a reliable and authoritative resource for business development.
Dynamic growth symbolism:
The red underline signifies uplifting action and growth, both literally and figuratively underlining that the core of NBDC is business development. The logo is shaped like Nebraska, visually reinforcing NBDC’s dedication to supporting entrepreneurs and business owners in every corner of the state.
Versatile simplicity:
Clean design ensures adaptability across all platforms and programs, critical for a resource center like NBDC which interacts with a wide array of stakeholders and partners.
2024 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Program Overview
Nebraska SBDC is a resource for small business creation and expansion. The Nebraska SBDC program offers confidential consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to start and grow their enterprises or to transition companies to the next generation of ownership.
Key Services:
• Business development support including business plan guidance, market research, and growth plan development
• Financial planning and analysis to develop financial projections, conduct cash flow analysis, and compare financials to industry standards
• Assistance with funding such as loan packaging and identifying potential non-bank sources of financing
• Export consulting to assess business export readiness and explore potential foreign markets
• Business valuation and exit planning to transition a business to the next generation of ownership
• Consultations available in Spanish
2024 SBDC Highlights:
• The Nebraska SBDC program partnered with the Alaska SBDC to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools for small business consulting, increasing efficiency and response times for small business owners.
• SBDC recognized the hard-working entrepreneurs in Nebraska through the celebration of National Small Business Week in May, which culminated in a proclamation ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol where Governor Pillen declared a “Nebraska Small Business Week.”
• After an in-depth process, the SBDC team finalized a 3-year strategic plan for the Nebraska SBDC, providing direction and strategic priorities for the near future.
• Nebraska was the host of the annual SBDC Square States Conference in Omaha, bringing together SBDC leaders regionally to collaborate on strengthening the program’s collective ability to serve small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Governor Pillen declaring Nebraska Small Business Week at a proclamation ceremony.
APEX Accelerator
Program Overview
The Nebraska APEX Accelerator provides government procurement consulting, solicitation support, and training throughout the state. Consultants help Nebraska businesses identify and pursue federal, state, and local government contracting opportunities.
APEX Accelerator consultants help businesses grow through the government marketplace.
Key Services:
• Assist with completing required registrations, applying for certifications to access set-asides, and understanding forms, regulations, and specifications
• Research the market: identify agencies that have purchased similar products or services, analyze volume purchased, prices paid, past award winners, and locate subcontracting and teaming opportunities
• Support businesses throughout the proposal and bid process
• Provide resources including BidMatch automatic opportunity searches, workshops and webinars, and networking opportunities with peers, primes, and contracting officers
• Consultations available in Spanish
2024 APEX Accelerator Highlights:
• The government contracting landscape changes rapidly and continuously. To ensure best-in-class support for clients, each APEX Accelerator consultant completed a minimum of 40 hours of continuous professional education, giving Nebraska businesses an edge when competing in the government marketplace.
• The APEX Accelerator partnered with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) to bring a virtual matchmaking event to Nebraska. This provided an opportunity for Nebraska business owners to connect directly with government agency representatives searching for the services and products they provide.
• In a commitment to increasing accessibility of the program’s services, the APEX Accelerator program brought on a full-time, Spanish-speaking consultant who, in their first full year, provided government contracting assistance to 37 Spanishspeaking businesses across the state.
• NBDC co-hosted Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Connect, facilitating connections between researchers, industry, and federal agencies seeking innovations in security and defense.
Innovation & Technology
Program Overview
NBDC helps clients obtain funding for commercialization through federal SBIR/STTR grants and other funding opportunities. Consultants help entrepreneurs and researchers guide their innovations and new products from prototyping to success in the marketplace.
Key Services:
• Program assistance including support to apply for, or administer a grant from, America’s Seed Fund SBIR/STTR programs
• Individual assistance from certified consultants who offer quality and confidential consulting services at no cost
• Assessment of business models, discussion of patent options, support for federal registration, project management for grant writing, and support for application submission
• Business trainings with topics including SBIR information, intellectual property and patents, SBIR/STTR proposal preparation, and taking ideas from ideation to creation
• Networking opportunities with industry experts, potential partners, and other innovative entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and form collaborations
2024 Innovation & Technology Program Highlights:
• The Innovation & Technology team provided consulting services to 105 clients and reached 621 small businesses through outreach and training events.
• 20 SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals were submitted by clients in 2024. Two SBIR/STTR Phase II proposals were submitted by clients; nine of these clients represented underserved communities, specifically rural entrepreneurs and female founders.
• The Innovation & Technology team hosted an event in July featuring the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks, giving founders the opportunity to meet face to face with federal representatives of these agencies.
NBDC's Innovation & Technology program helps innovative companies, such as Set Your Sites, commercialize their technologies.
SourceLink Nebraska
Program Overview
SourceLink Nebraska is a one-stop shop for connecting entrepreneurs and business owners to the state’s wealth of resources. SourceLink Nebraska does not replace any existing resources, but increases strategic access, efficiency, and coordination across Nebraska’s economic and community development ecosystem. Simply put, SourceLink Nebraska provides the right resource at the right time.
Key Services:
• A dynamic web directory of more than 500 resource partners offering a broad range of expertise on topics such as business plans, government contracting, networking, loans, and more
• A Personal Action Plan: a curated list of resources and a warm introduction to the organizations that can help
• Statewide calendar listing hundreds of business development events, trainings, and networking opportunities
• Business guides that provide information about startup, growth, business transition, and capital stages
2024 SourceLink Nebraska Highlights:
• SourceLink Nebraska launched Business Connect to provide in-person resource coaching in communities across Nebraska – the first for this primarily-virtual program. The first Business Connect services were enacted in Western Nebraska in Sidney/Cheyenne County, Scottsbluff/Gering, and Alliance. SourceLink Nebraska will continue in-person outreach in additional portions of the state in 2025.
• SourceLink Nebraska’s website became the official landing page and host for the Entrepreneur’s Education Collaborative (EEC), furthering the program’s commitment to serving as a resource hub for all Nebraskans.
• SourceLink Nebraska began building a program by offering concentrated support for North Omaha. Brandi O’Malley was named the Operations Director for North Omaha and will lead the program.
SourceLink Nebraska
CHAMPION OF SMALL BUSINESS
ELEVATOR GIVES EAGER ENTREPRENEURS SPACE, SUPPORT TO REACH THE NEXT LEVEL
Sometimes, new businesses just need a lift.
Elevator, a co-warehousing and community space in downtown Omaha created by entrepreneurs Shannon and Emiliano Lerda, is the difference between struggling and rising to success for more than 150 small business owners.
In recognition of their dedication to fellow entrepreneurs, Elevator has been chosen as the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Champion of Small Business for 2024.
Alan Martinez, consultant with the Nebraska Small
Business Development Center (SBDC), says the Lerda's commitment to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem exemplifies true champions of small business. “Their innovative ideas and dedication to helping others succeed set them apart,” Martinez says.
The couple met in 2000 at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and married in 2004. They moved to Omaha, where Emiliano led the Immigrant Legal Center and Shannon launched an e-commerce business.
Like many entrepreneurs they support, Shannon’s business outgrew their home in 2021, leading them to seek flexible warehouse space. “We were selling
pet supplies online,” Shannon recalls. “We had a lot of inventory, and our two sons were even helping. We needed more room.”
The couple searched for a short-term space to scale their business but found nothing suitable. Realizing a market gap, they created Elevator.
Recognizing the potential of their idea, they sought assistance from the Nebraska SBDC to develop a business plan, financial projections, and marketing strategies. “The NBDC is such a positive influence,” Shannon says. “Tony Schultz and the consultants gave us the tools to get off the ground.”
By 2022, Elevator transformed a four-story building in Omaha’s Old Market into a hub for more than 100 businesses. Today, it offers spaces ranging from 80 to 1,500 square feet, catering to e-commerce ventures, artists, non-profits, and service providers.
Beyond physical space, Elevator provides logistics support, legal advice, educational programming, and a network of like-minded peers.
Their innovative approach attracted a $1.6 million funding round in 2024 to expand into Des Moines and Kansas City. The U.S. Small Business Administration has also recognized their work.
Kiley Phelps, has spawned collaborations like the “Elevator Essentials” workshop series and shared panels at the Young Professionals Summit.
sets Elevator apart: community. “The people, mentors, and members create a shared sense of purpose that’s rewarding.”
The partnership between Elevator and NBDC, led by Martinez, Schultz, and Nebraska SBDC Consultant
Elevator sponsors outreach events such as HutchFest, Silicon Prairie Startup Week, and Open Omaha. Emiliano serves on multiple advisory boards, while Shannon is on the Board of Directors of Film Streams. Beyond services and support, Emiliano says one thing
Shannon agrees. “You can create the space, but what members bring to the table is the most valuable part. Their collaboration—that’s where the magic happens.”
Emiliano and Shannon Lerda, owners of Elevator
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
NEBRASKA SBDC PROGRAM HELPS NURTURE SMALL BUSINESSES, RURAL COMMUNITIES
SMALL BUSINESSES AREN’T JUST ECONOMIC DRIVERS, THEY’RE THE HEART OF NEBRASKA COMMUNITIES. THEY CREATE JOBS, KEEP MONEY LOCAL, AND BUILD STRONG, CONNECTED TOWNS. THEIR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS."
— BENJAMIN BENTON, SBDC CENTER DIRECTOR
Small businesses are critical to the health and vitality of rural communities – and, as Danial Hanlon, D.D.S., can attest, they are also important to residents’ well-being.
Dr. Hanlon grew up in Crawford, Neb., and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in 2015. He and his wife, Kaylee, also from Crawford, were dedicated to their community and expanding local dental services.
“We love our hometown,” Dr. Hanlon says, “but after a couple of years, Crawford’s population was steadily decreasing. I was hoping to have a wellestablished practice that would last 20 or 30 years.”
After three years practicing in Crawford, Dr. Hanlon began seeking new opportunities. At the same time, he learned that Imperial, Neb., about 225 miles southeast, was about to lose the last of its two dentists.
That’s when he sought assistance from the Nebraska Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). The NBDC and its Nebraska SBDC program assist entrepreneurs statewide with starting or expanding businesses.
In February 2018, Dr. Hanlon met with Nebraska SBDC representatives for help developing a business plan and financial projections. He wanted to purchase the last existing dental practice in Imperial.
With Nebraska SBDC guidance, Dr. Hanlon finalized the purchase in April 2018 and moved his family to Imperial the following month.
He says Nebraska SBDC services made a profound difference in securing financing. “The NBDC office took my business plan in a whole different direction to help explain my vision,” he says. “The bank was almost caught off guard by how prepared I was. Instead of running into brick walls, it really opened the door for me.”
Today, Imperial Family Dental Center is thriving, largely, as Dr. Hanlon jokes, “through word-of-mouth.” He has added staff and looks forward to expanding into a new office soon.
His story mirrors other Nebraska businesses that have benefited from the Nebraska SBDC program.
Krishna Velagapudi, M.D., an established cardiologist at Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute in Norfolk, also provides outreach services at five rural hospitals. With NBDC assistance, he is now a business owner planning to move his Aroma Circuit Indian restaurant to a prime location in Norfolk this spring.
Wanting to introduce Indian cuisine to the area, Dr. Velagapudi and his wife, Neeta Tipimeni, opened Aroma Circuit in 2018 inside the Norfolk Country Inn & Suites. “The restaurant gives me the opportunity to share my culture,” he says. “Some people are hesitant to try Indian food, and I want it to be approachable.”
He personally trains his kitchen staff in Indian cuisine and greets customers to ensure satisfaction. In 2024, he purchased a building on West Norfolk Avenue and, with Nebraska SBDC help, secured a $350,000 loan to relocate Aroma Circuit, making it a permanent hub for social interaction and local economic support.
Aroma Circuit offers live music, DJ nights, open mic sessions, and seasonal outdoor gatherings. The new location will seat about 80 people, up from the current 60.
Dr. Velagapudi credits NBDC and SBDC Center Director Benjamin Benton for helping him navigate financial resources and networking opportunities. “Benjamin helped refine my revenue model and continues to follow up,” he says. “He led me to the right path in a short time.”
Benton finds it rewarding to see entrepreneurs succeed. “Aroma Circuit is adding spice to Norfolk with bold flavors, authentic dishes, and a fresh dining experience,” he says. “It’s exciting to see a local restaurant expanding the community’s food scene.”
He emphasizes that the Nebraska SBDC program empowers entrepreneurs to make informed decisions and achieve sustainable growth.
“Small businesses aren’t just economic drivers; they’re the heart of Nebraska communities,” Benton says. “They create jobs, keep money local, and build strong, connected towns. Their success is our success.”
Danial Hanlon, D.D.S., owner of Imperial Family Dental Center
Krishna Velagapudi, M.D., cardiologist at Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute and owner of Aroma Circuit, with his wife, Neeta Tipimeni and family
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
DAYCOS MOVING FORWARD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
The success of Daycos, a transportation revenue solutions company in Norfolk, Neb., in becoming a Tier 1 subcontractor for a Department of Defense (DoD) contract worth between $16 billion and $20 billion is expected to open new opportunities in government work, says CEO Brandon Day.
“Everything we do going forward is geared to our future growth,” Day says.
The company’s achievements earned it the honor of being named the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) 2024 Government Contractor of the Year.
“Daycos stands out as a leader in workforce retention, a top performer in government contracting, and a remarkable example of community involvement,” says APEX Accelerator Consultant Meghann Buresh of the NBDC office in Norfolk.
Founded in 1978 in Washington, D.C., by John Day as a consulting firm for the household goods and moving industries, the company was originally named John Day & Associates. “The ‘associates’ were my mother, my sister, and myself,” Day recalls. “My father traveled a lot conducting audits. Mom wrote up invoices, my sister made copies, and I stuffed envelopes. I was six years old.”
Daycos staff at their office in Norfolk, Neb.
Since 1980, Daycos has operated in Norfolk, his mother’s hometown, providing transportation revenue solutions from full-service billing to self-billing software. The company has more than 50 full-time employees, some working remotely.
For some transportation companies, Daycos serves as a complete outsourcing provider for financial back-office operations, processing more than 400,000 invoices and nearly $2 billion in transactions annually. The company also helps transportation businesses improve internal processes through technology tools and post-auditing shipment records to recover funds.
“The majority of our work is in household goods moving for the U.S. government,” Day says. “We’re not a prime contractor. We work with the moving companies contracted by the government.”
In late 2023, Daycos was awarded a Tier 1 subcontracting agreement with HomeSafe Alliance, LLC, making it the exclusive move management invoice and billing provider for the Department of Defense (DoD) under the Global Household Goods contract. The contract aims to improve relocation for DoD and Coast Guard personnel and their families.
“Most people don’t realize that the DoD is the largest moving company in the world,” Day says.
Before securing this role, Daycos built strong relationships with prime contractors supporting the DoD and the Department of State. This experience refined its services and processes.
A client of the NBDC since 2009, Daycos has benefited from APEX Accelerator and America’s SBDC-Nebraska services, including government contracting assistance, market research, and bid matching. “The company’s pursuit of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 is a testament to Daycos’ commitment to data security and compliance,” says Buresh.
The SBDC also played a role in supporting Daycos during its 2014 expansion and relocation.
In 2016, Daycos became one of only 10 Nebraska companies to earn B Corp Certification, which recognizes businesses meeting high standards of performance, accountability, and transparency in areas such as employee benefits, charitable giving, and supply chain practices.
Community involvement is a core value instilled by his parents, Day says. “We follow a stakeholder model, defining our stakeholders as employees, customers, the business, and the community,” he says.
Daycos has launched initiatives such as an employeeled Community Investment Committee, an Employee Investment Committee, and the Daycos4Good (D4G) program, with the “4” representing its four stakeholders. One major project, the Norfolk Area Childcare Collaborative, was initiated and is chaired by Tammy Day, Day’s wife, who was named the 2023 Norfolk Area Person of the Year.
Daycos also works with the Northeast Nebraska Growing Together initiative and offers internships for Wayne State College students. “A cooperative internship program is beneficial for employers
struggling to find new hires,” Day says. “We have supported this program from the beginning.”
Two former interns now work full-time at Daycos. “The interns are an awesome group of young people,” Day says. “Their enthusiasm has been great for our office and culture.”
While many businesses engage in philanthropy, those efforts are often management-directed, which can create a disconnect with employees, Day says. “We want our efforts to be employee-led,” he says. “That instills a sense of pride and ownership. It gives them a better feeling to come to work at Daycos.”
Brandon Day, owner of Daycos
APEX ACCELERATOR
APEX ACCELERATOR PROGRAM HELPS OPEN DOOR TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
LARGE AND SMALL
The APEX Accelerator program of the Nebraska Business Development Center links companies of all sizes with an equally wide array of government contracting opportunities.
NBDC APEX Accelerator consultants provide direction on strategies including subcontracting, teaming, joint venturing, or utilizing Mentor Protégé Programs to help small businesses compete.
Nearly 100 APEX Accelerator offices across the U.S. strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation and establishing resilient supply chains.
Nebraska APEX Accelerator Consultant Harold Sargus says the program benefits businesses of all sizes.
“We save them time getting ready to do business with local, state, or federal agencies,” he says. “We assist with top-line revenue by helping them find bid opportunities.
“We increase their chances of success by reviewing proposals to ensure accuracy and completeness,” Sargus says. “And we enhance their chances of obtaining future contracts by helping them remain contract-compliant.”
One APEX Accelerator client, Truescope (formerly Universal Information Services, Inc.), has delivered media monitoring and PR measurement services since 1908. Acquired by Truescope in January 2023, the Omaha company provides clients with print, web, social, TV, and radio news results to analyze earned media exposure.
Todd Murphy, whose father, James, had operated Universal Information Services since 1959, now serves as President/North America for Truescope.
“We operate in a similar manner as before joining Truescope, but with newer and better technologies that let us compete globally,” Murphy says.
The APEX Accelerator holds free trainings and events to support business owners.
When the company’s System for Award Management (SAM) registration expired, Sargus helped secure its renewal. Without it, Universal Information Services could not obtain payment from government clients or be eligible for new contracts.
The company continues to grow under the Truescope name. “The past 15 months have been very good for us,” Murphy says. “As of January 6, we ranked fourth overall in our industry for total purchase orders won, both federal and state.”
He credits APEX Accelerator services with helping renew contracts and identify additional government opportunities.
“Harold and APEX have been a real benefit to us, even after the acquisition,” Murphy says. “With their help, we have pursued contracts we might not have gone after otherwise.”
Sargus says the Nebraska APEX Accelerator program participated in 114 events in 2024, offering education, training, and networking with government agencies and prime contractors.
“There is a learning curve with government business,” he says. “Subcontracting before bidding as a prime contractor increases your chances of success.”
The annual Meet the Buyers Conference brings together state and federal agencies that hopeful government contractors can visit in person.
“Our Meet the Buyers conferences are the perfect place to learn firsthand how to do business with specific agencies,” Sargus says. “Attendees hear directly from agency representatives and can meet one-on-one to submit their capability statement and establish rapport.”
A key APEX Accelerator goal is to build lasting client relationships. “Entering the government marketplace is a journey,” Sargus says. “Just because you are eligible to bid today doesn’t mean you will be tomorrow.
“We work with clients continually to help them remain eligible, win contracts, and adapt to changing regulations,” he says. “It’s more than advice. It’s a partnership.”
APEX Accelerator services include, but are not limited to:
• Confidential individual counseling sessions at no cost
• Assistance with registering on vendor websites such as SAM.gov and city government portals
• Services for electronically matching bids with opportunities
• Interpretation of government solicitations
• Aid in researching government contracts
• Assistance with contract preparation
• Cybersecurity compliance assistance
• Guidance on General Services Administration (GSA) federal supply schedules
• Support in locating bidding partners
• Identification of potential teaming and joint venture partners for contracts
• Strategies for marketing to government entities and prime contractors
• Effective response strategies to solicitations
• Assistance in obtaining federal Set-Aside certifications
• Guidance on federal accounting and invoicing procedures
• Research strategies for accessing federal, state, and local government markets
Todd Murphy, President/North America for Truescope
INNOVATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
SET YOUR SITES AIMS TO SIMPLIFY CAMPGROUND ACCESS
Countless innovations have been sparked by the phrase, “There must be a better way,” and that is exactly what Stacy and Dustin Dam of Lincoln have created with Set Your Sites, a way for campers to view real-time availability of campsites, make mobile payments, and access Wi-Fi services at campgrounds.
Its potential to improve how campgrounds operate has earned Set Your Sites the honor of Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) 2024 Innovation Business of the Year.
Stacy Dam, CEO of Set Your Sites, was working at Bryan College of Health Sciences when COVID-19 changed lifestyles. “We had a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old, and rather than stay cooped up, we became the classic COVID camper family,” she recalls. “We bought an RV and figured out how to camp.”
In June 2021, they planned a family party at a campground for their son’s seventh birthday. They thought they could simply rent a site but found out otherwise.
“Dustin had to go at 9 a.m. and put his name in a hat, and then he had to go back at 2 and see if his name was picked,” Stacy says. “It was a 40-minute drive, which made it even more frustrating.”
At 2 p.m., the first name picked belonged to someone absent, so the campground manager decided to wait. “That’s when the crowd erupts,” Stacy says.
IT MAKES THEM THINK DIFFERENTLY KNOWING THAT, ONE DAY, THEY CAN ALSO OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESS.”
— STACY DAM, SET YOUR SITES
Their name was eventually drawn, but many others were not. The experience left the Dams irritated – and thinking.
“Why is it first-come, first-served? Why is there no way to check real-time availability?” Stacy says. “There should be a self-service element. Technology can fix this somehow.”
Three months later, while biking between Lake Wanahoo and Wahoo, Stacy woke up in an ambulance. “It was at dusk and during harvest,” she says. “I had no idea what happened, but they think I was hit by a deer.”
Recovering from surgeries, she and Dustin revisited their idea.
Dustin, an electrical engineer, explored ways for campers to register afterhours, while Stacy researched how people could find and reserve sites.
In 2023, they formed an LLC. The following spring, they participated in the Nebraska I-Corps Introduction to Customer Discovery, a six-week entrepreneurship program.
“That really helped us hone in on our market and put a plan in place,” Stacy says.
With this research, Stacy pitched a pilot to Natural Resource Districts (NRDs). She secured permission to test Set Your Sites at Lake Wanahoo – where her accident happened. The test was so successful that Nebraska is implementing Set Your Sites
statewide, including at the State Fair campgrounds in Grand Island.
Initially designed as a mobile app, Set Your Sites has evolved into a suite of services. The company now provides technology that campgrounds can embed into their own websites.
Josh Nichol-Caddy, Innovation & Technology Program Director at NBDC, says the company receives funding from Invest Nebraska and NMotion powered by Gener8or. It has also secured a Prototype Grant from Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development and plans to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant in 2025.
Stacy credits NBDC, Nichol-Caddy, and APEX Accelerator Consultant Quentin Farley for their support. “Josh helped set up our quad chart SBIR and put us in front of the USDA,” she says, “and Quentin provided valuable assistance securing a Systems Award Management (SAM) registration and helped revise our capability statement.”
For the Dams, the family that camps together also works together. “Our son is now 10 and our daughter is seven,” Stacy says. “Our son came home from school
the other day and said, ‘Mom, I pitched Set Your Sites to the ladies in the nurse’s office.’ And our daughter set out some pencils and is charging us to sharpen them.”
“Being an entrepreneur impacts the entire family, but especially the kids,” she says. “It makes them think differently knowing that, one day, they can also own their own business.”
Stacy and Dustin Dam, owners of Set Your Sites
Set Your Sites is partnering with sites across Nebraska to better serve campers.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
CUSTOMER DISCOVERY PROCESS PROVES ESSENTIAL IN FOCUSING INNOVATIVE IDEAS, PRODUCTS
An entrepreneur can have an amazing idea, but if it doesn’t meet a real need, it remains just an idea.
Enter customer discovery. By encouraging primary market research, customer discovery puts entrepreneurs in real discussions with potential customers to learn from and adapt to their needs.
“Customer discovery is an extremely useful process, especially when it comes to technology where there can often be a disconnect between the producer and end user,” says Josh Nichol-Caddy, Innovation & Technology Program Director at the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). “From multi-national corporations to small start-ups, any new idea can benefit from customer discovery.”
Programs may use different names and tools, but the basic process remains the same: interviewing target customers and stakeholders about the pains of current solutions and the gains an alternative must deliver.
The NBDC provides a Business Model Canvas, which Nichol-Caddy says helps match the value proposition – why a customer will choose this product over others – with potential customers. Conducting interviews helps align the idea with the actual need.
“Customer discovery helps determine if what they are offering may need to be realigned, or if the need they hope to fill may actually be different than what they perceived,” he says.
Joy Eakin, Entrepreneurship Program Manager at NUtech Ventures, leads the Nebraska I-Corps: Introduction to Customer Discovery program. Nichol-Caddy is on the instruction team.
An offshoot of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Teams program, it helps entrepreneurs explore the commercial viability of their innovation or business idea. The free online course is open to University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty, staff, students, and community members.
“We employ a very strong scientific methodology in our customer discovery process,” Eakin says. “A lot of university faculty conducting complex research use it to focus their work. We have many success stories from participants who have gone on to conceive a more concrete idea of both their innovation or product and the customers they intend to reach.”
Stephanie Kidd, Ph.D., is the communications strategist at the UNeTech Institute, which collaborates with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She is also an instructor for the Great Plains I-Corps hub, which runs a customer discovery program at UNO’s College of Business Administration.
The UNeTech Institute offers Opportunity Corps, a seven-month entrepreneurship and mentorship program for women in STEAM.
Kidd says the program matches women interested in business leadership with UNeTech ideas. “Each month focuses on a different topic from our business model, and the program ends with a pitch event where participants present a real product to community members and potential investors,” she says.
Customer discovery is a key element of Opportunity Corps. “It emphasizes that you must have conversations with potential customers,” Kidd says. “Tell me about your problem. Tell me about solutions
you’ve tried. It helps determine if they really do have a problem, if you have the solution, and what is the tipping point before they are willing to try something new.”
Josh DeMers, former program manager at The Combine incubator in Lincoln, says customer discovery is vital to success. The Combine supports AgTech, robotics, food, and biotech founders in turning ideas into commercial ventures. Since 2019, it has helped 38 companies secure more than $25 million in venture capital and nearly $16 million in grants while creating 64 full-time jobs.
“Our Insights Network includes more than 130 producers, and our goal is to help founders build a product that solves a customer’s problem,” DeMers says. “With other accelerators or incubators, perhaps one in 10 startups survive. The Combine has more than 25 that are still active.”
Claudia Munoz-Najar and Armando Salgado cofounded Build Más, a bilingual web app helping the Hispanic construction community simplify project cost estimations. Munoz-Najar says the customer discovery class directly improved her business model.
“The homework I did prior to interviewing people forced me to learn more,” she says. “It completely reshaped what our web application has become.”
Nichol-Caddy says customer discovery helps entrepreneurs tackle larger problems with greater impact. “When employed before seeking funding, customer discovery can strengthen a project and its chances of obtaining that funding,” he says, “especially those applying for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.”
Left to right: Armando Salgado and Claudia Munoz-Najar, cofounders of Build Más; Stephanie Kidd, PhD, Communication Strategist, UNeTech Institute; Joy Eakin, Entrepreneurship Program Manager, NUtech Ventures; Josh DeMers, former program manager, The Combine.
SOURCELINK NEBRASKA RESOURCE PARTNER OF THE YEAR
BLAKE MARTIN MAKES OTHERS’ SUCCESS HIS PRIORITY
Blake Martin has a head for business, and he wears many hats that prove it.
The owner of FranNet of the Heartland, Martin is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), entrepreneur, podcast host of “Heartland Franchise Guy,” and a coach to fellow entrepreneurs. He is a founding member and leader of the Entrepreneur’s Education Collaborative (EEC), a collective of 18 business support organizations dedicated to promoting educational opportunities for entrepreneurs across Nebraska. He is also a franchise broker consultant, a SCORE volunteer, and a self-described “community connector.”
Martin is a past advisory board member of SourceLink Nebraska, a statewide program that connects entrepreneurs to resources, and has been a partner since its inception in 2021. The Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) hosts SourceLink Nebraska.
His efforts to integrate EEC initiatives with SourceLink Nebraska’s infrastructure and services earned him the honor of SourceLink Nebraska Resource Partner of the Year for 2024.
“Blake does a lot for the EEC and for SourceLink Nebraska,” says Scott Asmus, SourceLink Nebraska Program Director. “He’s helped a lot of people and is dedicated to the community. He does it selflessly and is always willing to help others. He’s truly a servant leader.”
Since its launch, SourceLink Nebraska has grown significantly as a resource hub. The website showcases more than 950 partner organization profiles, businessthemed events, and guides. In its first three years, 2,004 clients received SourceLink Nebraska services, including resource referrals, training events, technical assistance, surveys, and Personal Action Plans.
Martin developed a strategic partnership between
the EEC and SourceLink Nebraska. “Through Blake’s leadership, this integration has manifested in three key areas,” Asmus says. “First, the unified efforts incorporate the EEC’s educational programming into SourceLink Nebraska’s events calendar, promoting more than 1,600 business-themed events in 2024 alone.
“Second, Blake spearheaded the incorporation of the EEC’s landing page into the SourceLink Nebraska website, creating a seamless user experience,” Asmus says.
“Third, through collaboration, Blake has ensured SourceLink Nebraska’s resources reach beyond metropolitan areas,” he says. “This partnership developed a statewide community survey in late 2024 to identify educational needs, demonstrating a datadriven approach to serving Nebraska’s entrepreneurial community.”
Martin says the EEC was born of a commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed. “None of us is perfect,” he says, “but if we work together, we can make things less imperfect. If the EEC can provide entrepreneurs with tools and knowledge that can save jobs and grow business, it’s a win for us all.”
He learned about SourceLink Nebraska when it was still a potential program. “I heard Cathy Lang (former
NBDC Executive Director) and Tony Schultz (State Director of America’s SBDC-Nebraska, a program of the NBDC) talking about it, and it really grabbed my attention,” he recalls.
The idea of a one-stop repository for entrepreneurial resources, Martin says, “had been tried many times. But before SourceLink Nebraska, it never had the structure, the funding or the experienced, skilled people to run it.”
The EEC has continued to grow since its founding in 2016. Martin says the organization sponsors six or seven educational events a year, with more if a topic warrants attention.
Information about the EEC’s “Blueprint 2025 Series: Building a Business Model for Sustainable Growth” is available on its website, sourcelinknebraska.com/eecnebraska/.
He says having SourceLink Nebraska host the EEC website “gives us a home and gets our message out statewide. At the same time, our EEC content links people back to SourceLink Nebraska resources.”
The 2024 collaborative survey strengthened both programs, Martin says. “We were able to create precise questions and deliver them in an easy format, as well as develop a list of who we wanted to send them to,” he says. “We realized we are very synchronized in what we are trying to accomplish.”
Service to others makes Martin’s work a pleasure. “I was part of corporate America until about a decade ago, when I realized I needed to do more to give my family more flexibility, to be better connected to area businesses, and to strengthen my connections to the community,” he says. “In what I do today, I can watch people take the same steps as I did, and I can fulfill an obligation to pay that debt to others.
“That’s what wakes me up every day.”
Blake Martin, leader of the Entrepreneur's Education Collaborative
Cartographers of the digital age, the leadership and consultants of SourceLink Nebraska provide entrepreneurs and businesses with tools to chart their personalized road to success.
SourceLink Nebraska enhances the entrepreneurial ecosystem through resource asset mapping, identifying and analyzing resources, support services, and infrastructure to support business development and economic growth. NBDC is the host for the SourceLink Nebraska program.
“There is no single, defined path for every entrepreneur,” says SourceLink Nebraska Program Director Scott Asmus.
“SourceLink Nebraska merges individual needs with business development processes to best serve Nebraska business owners. The program connects entrepreneurs to mapped resources, training, and networking opportunities by implementing individualized service delivery.”
Since its launch, SourceLink Nebraska has grown significantly as a resource hub. The website showcases more than 950 partner organization profiles, businessthemed events, and guides. Online access delivers tools and information 24/7 to businesses in rural and urban communities, empowering economic developers and policymakers to support small businesses and high-growth startups.
“SourceLink Nebraska bridges gaps across the state’s business ecosystem, always updating its resource
SOURCELINK NEBRASKA
SOURCELINK NEBRASKA GIVES ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESSES A DIGITAL ROADMAP TO SUCCESS
network,” Asmus says. “Continuous mapping of assets reveals both opportunities and gaps, from co-working spaces and technical assistance in urban areas to virtual business counseling and loan providers in rural regions.”
After years of discussion, the program was developed in July 2020 and launched in November 2021. The University of Nebraska Extension, Rural Prosperity Nebraska (RPN), and NBDC worked together to bring the SourceLink® model to the state. Private and public founding partners provided financial support.
Rob Williams, SourceLink’s Director, says, “Having SourceLink Nebraska emerge as a leader among our national network has been a tremendous gift for our affiliate community. It has inspired many communities to leverage local understanding and assets to move their entrepreneurs forward.”
Resource mapping ensures entrepreneurs and organizations can access the right support at the right time. “It’s about understanding a community’s strengths and knowing who’s tackling what,” Williams says. “When organizations connect, share best practices, and coordinate action like SourceLink Nebraska, everyone benefits.”
SourceLink Nebraska’s impact is evident in its first three years. From 2022 through 2024, Asmus says, 2,004 clients have received services, including business owners through direct referrals, training events, technical assistance, surveys, and Personal Action Plans.
Additionally, SourceLink Nebraska recorded 26,182 website visits, posted 3,258 calendar events, more than 11,000 direct referrals, and logged 434,234 Resource Navigator® database referrals.
The Personal Action Plan is a customized service that connects business owners with Nebraska’s network of resource partners. A SourceLink Nebraska “Network Navigator” offers resource coaching on demand to discuss tailored solutions and connections.
In 2024, SourceLink Nebraska introduced Business Connect to offer in-person resource coaching. While primarily a virtual service, the program recognizes the value of face-to-face connections. This effort is supported by the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA), administered by the GROW Nebraska Foundation and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Hannah Robinson, Executive Director of the Box Butte Development Corp., employs Personal Action Plans and Business Connect services. “The Personal Action Plan gives people a useful checklist,” she says. “With Business Connect, we can meet directly with them quickly and build on their momentum.
“SourceLink Nebraska is an amazing resource partner and extension of our work,” Robinson says. “We’re excited to see it grow.”
The Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is a founding partner and active supporter of SourceLink Nebraska, says OPPD Senior Economic Developer James Caraway II.
“We offer and promote effective tools for our business customers,” Caraway says. “SourceLink Nebraska’s
efforts to map and connect the ecosystem fit well with our goals. The program adds validity and credibility and reinforces our role as a trusted partner.”
SourceLink Nebraska collaborates with partners providing training and networking opportunities. To increase event coordination, its calendar is embedded on six partner websites – Silicon Prairie News, Nebraska Angels, Startup LNK, Intersect Coworking & Incubator, UNeMed Corporation, and the VRLY Foundation.
“As SourceLink Nebraska positions itself as a permanent pillar of the state’s economic development infrastructure,” Asmus says, “its role in fostering a more robust, accessible, and interconnected business environment becomes increasingly vital.”
Left to right: Scott Asmus, Program Director, SourceLink Nebraska; Rob Williams, Director, SourceLink; Hannah Robinson, Executive Director, Box Butte Development Corp.; James Caraway II, Senior Economic Developer, OPPD
SOURCELINK NEBRASKA: 3-YEAR REPORT
Data collected is 2022-24 combined data
2,004 Clients served
Total clients receiving SourceLink Nebraska direct services: business owners through direct resource referrals, training events & registrations, technical assistance, surveys, and SLN Personal Action Plans.
26,182 website visits
3,258 calendar events posted
11,348
803 action plans
6,067 The Resource Navigator®
557 clients trained searches
434,234 referrals
2024 NBDC TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
New Hires
Benjamin Benton
Northeast Region Center Director, SBDC Program
John Hamilton Statewide Consultant, SBDC Program
Staff Awards
Brandi O’Malley Tarpley was named the recipient of the 2024 UNO Dean’s Citation for the Nebraska Business Development Center.
Alan Martinez was recognized as Nebraska’s 2024 America’s SBDC State Star Award Recipient.
Kevin Thompson Innovation Business Consultant, Innovation & Technology Program
Staff Promotions
Brandi O’Malley Tarpley
Promoted to North Omaha Operations Director for NBDC’s SourceLink Nebraska program
Graduate Assistant Degree Completion
NBDC is proud to offer graduate assistantships that offer hands-on business consulting experience to graduate-level students. The following graduate assistants completed their degree programs in 2024:
Samiat Ajao SourceLink Nebraska Program
Ghaith Al Saifi APEX Accelerator Program
Michael Arce Innovation & Technology Program
Ola Babalola SBDC Program
Sidney Therkelsen SBDC Program
Matthew West SBDC Program
Connect with your NBDC consultant at nbdc.unomaha.edu/consultants
Professional Development and Involvement
Four APEX Accelerator consultants (Chuck Beck, Meghann Buresh, Quentin Farley, and Harold Sargus) completed industry certifications recognizing their expertise in supporting businesses using the U.S. Small Business Administration’s HUBZone Early Engagement Initiative (EEI)
Harold Sargus and Chuck Beck have been named to the National APEX (NAPEX) National Training Team, bringing government contractingrelated training to companies in Nebraska and nationally.
Alan Martinez and Kiley Phelps completed their Economic Development Finance Professional Certifications (EDFPs).
Scott Asmus was elected to the Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers Board of Directors.
