About Us
Building What’s Next Across the Silicon Prairie
Open Range is growing a stronger startup community, rooted in access, collaboration, and belief in what’s possible here.
Our Mission
We champion the Omaha–Lincoln entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting founders, builders, creatives, and funders to reduce friction, close gaps, and turn ideas into action.
We elevate what’s working, guide collaborative action, and tackle the barriers that hold founders back. Together, we make it easier for more people to start, sustain, and scale their ventures—and navigate a more visible, connected, and inclusive innovation economy.
Mission
To grow the Greater Omaha and Lincoln startup ecosystem and support the local founders building what’s next.
We connect founders, builders, creatives, and funders to reduce friction, close gaps, and turn shared ideas into action.
Together, we make it easier for more people to start, sustain, and scale their ventures by helping them navigate what exists—and building what doesn’t.
Vision
A vibrant innovation economy where startups, businesses, and creators are supported, celebrated, and scaled.
Where founders have the resources to start here, the momentum to stay, and the opportunity to build the next generation of wealth in a way that expands prosperity across the entire community.
The Problem
Potential is everywhere, but access is not.
Founders in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa face real barriers to starting and scaling.
Many lack access to funding, clear support networks, or consistent momentum.
The result is a region full of potential, with too few clear paths to activate it.
The Solution
Open Range exists to connect the dots.
We reduce friction, close gaps, and bring people together to strengthen Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln’s innovation economy through coordination, visibility, and equitable access.
We don’t replicate—we activate—making it easier for bold ideas to take root and grow here.
The Vision
A vibrant innovation economy where startups, businesses, and creators are supported, celebrated, and scaled.
Where founders have the resources to start here, the momentum to stay, and the opportunity to build the next generation of wealth in a way that expands prosperity across the entire community.
Vision
A vibrant innovation economy where startups, businesses, and creators are supported, celebrated, and scaled.
Where founders have the resources to start here, the momentum to stay, and the opportunity to build the next generation of wealth in a way that expands prosperity across the entire community.
Our Values
Guiding principles for doing good work, together.
How we stay rooted in what matters—purpose, collaboration, and a commitment to growing Nebraska’s startup community.
Access should never be out of reach.
We believe talent is everywhere, and everyone deserves a clear path to shape what’s next.
Building boldly should be the norm, not the exception.
We believe anyone with vision and persistence can shape what’s next.
Real progress cannot happen in silos.
We believe it happens when we share knowledge, align resources, and collaborate with purpose.
Meet the Team Making it Happen
Laurel Oetken
VP of Operations
Stephen Osberg
Interim CEO
Kacie Hughes
Marketing Consultant
Coming Soon
Program & Events Manager
Meet Laurel Oetken
Chief Operating Officer, Open Range
Laurel has spent the last decade building Nebraska’s innovation community from the inside out. As the former Executive Director of Tech Nebraska and now COO of Open Range, she has helped unite founders, funders, and institutions around a shared mission: to make Nebraska a place where ideas don’t just start, they scale. Her work blends strategy and heart, always grounded in connection, collaboration, and a deep belief in what’s possible here.
In the Press
Connect With Us
Have a story to share, an idea to explore, or a partnership to discuss?
We’d love to hear from you.