Open Range launches in Nebraska: front door for founders seeking capital and support

After years of fragmented efforts in Nebraska's startup ecosystem, Open Range has launched as a nonprofit to unify and accelerate local innovation.
The organization serves as a central hub, coordinating resources and connecting founders with capital, mentors, and support.
Laurel Oetken, Open Range's first vice president of operations, said, "Open Range really exists to grow the Omaha and Lincoln startup ecosystem and support local founders and builders that are shaping what’s next."
Rather than building a large internal team, Open Range invests directly in existing ecosystem builders to avoid duplication and increase visibility of resources.
Its work is structured around three strategic pillars: amplify (elevating existing initiatives and stories), activate (identifying and addressing ecosystem gaps), and access (making resources more visible and widely available).
Osberg described Open Range’s role as a "front door" for founders, simplifying discovery of support systems, mentor connections, and capital access.
By acting as the organizing backbone Nebraska’s innovation community needed, Open Range aims to accelerate ideas into action and foster a more connected startup environment statewide.

Open Range, a new nonprofit launched in Nebraska, aims to unify the state's fragmented startup ecosystem by serving as a central hub for founders. It focuses on amplifying initiatives, activating gaps, and increasing access to resources, acting as a "front door" for capital and support.