ABOUT
Entrepreneurship Education Microgrant Program
Microgrant funds are available to organizations helping to build Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through assistance and education to youth and/or adult entrepreneurs. Possible uses include:
- Competition Awards
- Registration Fees
- Promotional Activities
Maximum Award: up to $1,000
Awardees will be asked to present at a future NETForce meeting or during the Best Practices Summit. We will also ask that NETForce be included in any promotional materials associated with the granted activity or program.
To Apply
Applications accepted from February 1 to April 1, 2024. See 2023 Microgrant guidelines for additional application guidelines, dollars available will be determined in January, following the Summit.
Online Application
Grant Questions
For additional information or questions, please contact Marilyn Schlake, NETForce Finance, mschlake1@unl.edu or Janell Anderson-Ehrke, NETForce Chair, janell@grownebraska.org
2023 & 2022 MICROGRANT AWARDEES
2023 Award Winners
Big Idea Columbus - November 9th ($500)
Big Idea Columbus is a community business pitch competition and platform to share entrepreneurial ideas and cultivate communities that celebrate current & aspiring entrepreneurs. Big Idea allows those considering an idea to present it in front of the Columbus community and receive feedback on their idea, typically, before ever making any significant steps forward on their idea. This one-night event is designed to bring awareness to these ideas and individuals and give a spotlight to our local aspiring entrepreneurs, This is an opportunity for residents and students alike.
Youth Entrepreneur Business Pitch Competition, Sidney E3 ($900)
Sidney e3 is a group of individuals in Sidney, Nebraska who are passionate about growing and developing the network of professionals in the community. The group's purpose revolves around networking, professional development, and community improvement. Our group has been hand selected by the Nebraska Community Foundation as a pilot e3 community. This grant award will help further youth entrepreneurship in the schools. Currently Sidney Public Schools has a career pathways program and several classes encouraging/teaching business and entrepreneurship. This a great opportunity for the youth in the community to fully think through and potentially launch a new business.
Big Idea Columbus is a community business pitch competition and platform to share entrepreneurial ideas and cultivate communities that celebrate current & aspiring entrepreneurs. Big Idea allows those considering an idea to present it in front of the Columbus community and receive feedback on their idea, typically, before ever making any significant steps forward on their idea. This one-night event is designed to bring awareness to these ideas and individuals and give a spotlight to our local aspiring entrepreneurs, This is an opportunity for residents and students alike.
Youth Entrepreneur Business Pitch Competition, Sidney E3 ($900)
Sidney e3 is a group of individuals in Sidney, Nebraska who are passionate about growing and developing the network of professionals in the community. The group's purpose revolves around networking, professional development, and community improvement. Our group has been hand selected by the Nebraska Community Foundation as a pilot e3 community. This grant award will help further youth entrepreneurship in the schools. Currently Sidney Public Schools has a career pathways program and several classes encouraging/teaching business and entrepreneurship. This a great opportunity for the youth in the community to fully think through and potentially launch a new business.
Latino Small Business Conference ($750)Latino entrepreneurs and business owners have now enjoyed our second Latino Small Business Conference, and the event is getting rave reviews. On behalf of the planning committee, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to NETForce for the commitment to making this event so successful. Over 300 Latino entrepreneurs attended the Conference in Grand Island, Omaha, and Norfolk. These 300 Latino business owners received information in Spanish at the conference, bringing information about accessing resources, basic bookkeeping, maintaining tax records, marketing, and planning their retirements. We provided opportunities to network, learn from each other, and bring the community together. It was the vision of the Planning Committee to INFORM, EDUCATE, and CONNECT with experts, professionals, resources, suppliers, and vendors. Application submitted by Sandra Barrera.
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Concordia Catalyst Competition ($500)This competition is a way to help Concordia College students build their entrepreneurship skills and provide them meaningful feedback for their business plans that could eventually come to fruition. Students hear from agricultural commodity groups about the agribusiness landscape and work with business mentors from the Seward community and beyond to refine potential business plans. At the end of the fall 2022 semester, teams pitch their business plans to a panel of judges, who will award the top finishers with prizes to help them turn their plan into reality. Organizations – Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, Concordia University College of Business. Application submitted by Jonathan Jank.
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INTRO to ENTR – York Camp ($250)
INTRO to ENTR in York is a partnership with York Public Schools, York Chamber of Commerce, York County Economic Development and Nebraska Extension in York County. This two-week event is open to any youth in grades 6-8. Camp youth will learn about themselves by identifying their passions and strengths, brainstorm business opportunities, meet with local entrepreneurs, take field trips and sell their product during the community sidewalk sales. The objective of the camps is to get youth excited about entrepreneurship and connected with their communities so they can discover the possibility of returning to their local community as an entrepreneur. INTRO to ENTR is being piloted as a statewide model with the intention of expanding the opportunity for other counties to adapt in the coming years. Subsequent cross-training will educate additional Extension professionals to build their knowledge of youth entrepreneurship education and facilitate additional INTRO to ENTR camps. Application submitted by Tayler Wickham.
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