FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurel Oetken | laurel.oetken@openrange.org
Date: June 25, 2025
Techstars Selects Omaha as U.S. City for Global Founder Catalyst Program
Omaha, NE — Omaha has officially joined the global Techstars network as one of three new Startup Community Partners, alongside Sarajevo and Istanbul, and will host a cohort of the Techstars Founder Catalyst program this fall. This 10-week, part-time, virtual pre-accelerator is designed to help early-stage founders sharpen their story, validate product-market fit, and
accelerate toward growth and funding.
Omaha is the first US city selected for this international initiative. The Fall 2025 cohort, running from September 24 to November 28, will be open exclusively to founders based in Omaha, Istanbul, and Sarajevo. The program is designed for founders who are pre- or early-revenue. Applications are open now through August 28.
The Founder Catalyst program is one component of Techstars’ broader Startup Community Partnership, a multi-year collaboration that provides cities with a structured roadmap to ecosystem building. Through this initiative, Omaha gains long-term access to Techstars tools, research, network connections, and proven programming designed to help local leaders, founders, investors, and mentors strengthen the region’s startup environment.
The arrival of Techstars in Omaha marks a major step forward for the region’s startup ecosystem. With Nebraska ranking 49th in startup survival, the need for founder support is clear. Open Range, launched earlier this month to connect and amplify local startups efforts, helped secure early funding, facilitated conversations, and coordinated partnerships that helped bring Techstars to the region. Laurel Oetken, Vice-President of Operations at Open Range, will serve as the Interim Community Director for Techstars Omaha.
“Being selected as a Techstars Startup Community Partner is a huge win for Omaha,” said Laurel Oetken. “We created Open Range to help unlock opportunities like this—ones that give our founders the resources, mentorship, and momentum to go further. Techstars brings world-class support to local ambition, and we’re just getting started!”
Over the next four years, Omaha will nominate and support up to 40 founders through the Founder Catalyst program. Throughout the program, participating founders will take part in live masterclasses led by Techstars leaders and industry experts, join tailored workshops focused on product, marketing, and operations, and receive personalized pitch coaching and mentorship. A local steering committee will help identify and recommend applicants who meet the criteria, with final selection made in partnership with Techstars.
Interested founders can apply here by August 28.
To learn more about local involvement or get support with your application, reach out to info@openrange.org