This partnership will expand resources, financial education, and connections for founders while creating new pathways between startups and the corporate community.
OMAHA, Neb. — Sept. 23, 2026 — Open Range and FNBO announced today a new partnership designed to strengthen Nebraska’s startup community and expand the resources, relationships, and opportunities available to entrepreneurs across the state.
The new Education & Access Development Program combines Open Range’s work connecting founders and strengthening Nebraska’s startup community with FNBO’s financial expertise, business resources, and longstanding commitment to entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Rather than focusing on a single program or event, the partnership will support initiatives aimed at helping founders build stronger companies, better understand their financial options, and connect with businesses and organizations that can help them grow.
“Building a stronger startup and innovation ecosystem requires more than supporting founders at individual moments, it requires organizations willing to invest in the infrastructure that help entrepreneurs succeed long term,” said Laurel Oetken, CEO of Open Range. “FNBO understands the important role startups and entrepreneurs play in the future of our economy, and this collaboration gives us an opportunity to build new pathways between founders, financial institutions, and the broader business community in Omaha.”
Key aspects of the program will include initiatives designed to better support the way entrepreneurs understand banking and financing options as they grow their companies, and working to better connect FNBO to the startup and innovation ecosystem.
“We are excited to work alongside Open Range to help build the startup infrastructure that will support Nebraska’s next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Marc Butterfield, Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation at FNBO. “Strong founders create strong communities, and we are proud to play a role in that journey.”
The collaboration reflects Open Range’s role as a backbone organization for Nebraska’s startup community, bringing together founders, corporations, investors, universities, government, and community partners to strengthen connections and address the gaps that can make it harder to build and grow a company here.
For FNBO, the partnership creates a way to connect with entrepreneurs earlier as they build their companies, providing financial expertise and resources that can support stronger, more sustainable growth.
Additional initiatives and programming from Open Range and FNBO will be announced throughout the coming year. Learn more about Open Range and its partners here.
About Open Range
Open Range is a nonprofit backbone organization championing the Greater Omaha and Lincoln entrepreneurial ecosystem. Open Range helps founders, builders, and creatives move ideas forward by connecting them with guidance and capital. It brings people together around bold ideas and amplifies the stories shaping the region’s innovation economy.
The organization leads Startup Week and Startup Weekend and helps founders navigate the startup community year-round. Together, this work makes it easier for more people to start, scale, and stay in Nebraska.
About FNBO
FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha), a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc. (FNNI), is one of the largest privately held banks in the US and has been in business for nearly 170 years. FNNI and its affiliates have $35 billion in assets and more than 4,500 employees. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with primary banking offices in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, FNBO provides personal and business banking, mortgage, payment solutions, wealth management and more. Founded in 1857, FNBO has maintained its commitment to customers and helping build strong communities.
Learn more at FNBO.com and connect on Facebook, X and Instagram. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Investments and Insurance Products: Not a Deposit | Not Guaranteed by the Bank or its Affiliates | Not FDIC Insured | Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency | May Go Down in Value
Contact: Laurel Oetken
Laurel.oetken@openrange.org