The Combine would not be possible without the numerous sponsors who are dedicated to supporting AgriFood innovation in Nebraska through capital, connections, and business incubation.
Our sponsors are truly the ones who make it happen. We would not be able to mentor entrepreneurs, provide workspace, and stimulate the Nebraska economy without our sponsors.
The Founding Sponsors are:
Invest Nebraska, Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital.
Nebraska Department of Economic Development, The DED's mission is to attract and retain businesses and talented folks throughout this great state.
The Visionary Sponsors are the Nebraska Corn Board and the U.S. Economic Development Admistration.
The Nebraska corn checkoff is a self-help investment program designed to help develop, carry out and participate in programs of research, education, market development, and promotion to enhance profitability (viability) and expand the demand and value of Nebraska corn and value-added corn products.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals.
The Statewide Sponsors are:
NUtech Ventures, NUtech Ventures is the nonprofit technology commercialization affiliate of the University of Nebraska, serving the Lincoln and Kearney campuses. Their team evaluates, protects, markets and licenses the university’s intellectual property to promote economic development and improve quality of life.
Husch Blackwell, At Husch Blackwell, they have built a law firm around one idea: to lead their clients from where they are to where they want to be.
Water for Food, Through research and policy development, education and communication, the institute is enhancing knowledge, fostering future water and food security leaders and developing effective techniques to sustainably manage water and increase food security.
Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) is a public-private collaboration charged with fulfilling Lincoln’s Economic Development goals.
Nebraska Innovation Campus, Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) is connecting the talents of experts, companies and the university to create a unique culture of innovation.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Office of Research & Economic Development, At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, research and innovation drive discoveries, scholarship and creative activity that expand basic knowledge and solve real-world problems. The growing research enterprise helps fuel economic development for Nebraska and addresses major challenges facing the state, the nation and the world.
Nebraska Farm Bureau, As a grassroots farm organization, they work to enrich the lives of Nebraska farm and ranch families and enhance Nebraska agriculture through meaningful advocacy, education, and leadership development.
The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, IANR innovation in research, teaching, and extension education places Nebraska on the leading edge of food production, environmental stewardship, human nutrition, business development, and youth engagement.
Lutz, The Lutz mission is to ease your mind and invigorate your success through accounting and business solutions.
Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, Engler exists to embolden their people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose, through the art and practice of entrepreneurship.
Hamilton Telecommunications, Hamilton Telecommunications is a diversified communications and technology service provider based in Aurora, Neb. Founded in 1901, Hamilton Telecommunications encompasses eight primary company divisions that allow Hamilton to operate on a local, regional and national basis.
The Supporting Sponsors:
What is The Combine?
Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state. Invest Nebraska is a private, non-profit statewide venture development organization focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s entrepreneurial economy. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital.