The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) has unveiled the recipients of this year’s LaunchLNK Grant Program, awarding $20,000 non-dilutive grants to six high-growth startups. This expansion from five to six grants in 2024 underscores LPED’s dedication to nurturing Lincoln’s entrepreneurial landscape. The 2025 cohort was selected from a pool of nearly 65 applicants, highlighting the program’s growing popularity and the city’s burgeoning startup scene.
The selected companies represent a diverse range of industries crucial to Lincoln’s economic development strategy. These include agri-tech and food processing, information technology and software development, renewable energy and sustainable technologies, fintech and insurtech, and autonomous systems and robotics. Each startup brings innovative solutions to the table, poised to make significant impacts in their respective fields.
Set Your Sites is revolutionizing campground management with technology that offers mobile payments, real-time availability, and Wi-Fi services, benefiting both campers and campground operators. Short Answer is addressing the challenge of developing core literacy skills in K-12 schools through engaging, gamified writing activities. FuturHerd Solutions focuses on swine care with innovative technology like the Nursery Nanny robot, which supports piglets and enhances farming practices. Build Más provides a bilingual platform to help Hispanic-owned small business contractors create accurate and profitable estimates. Bullseye GX, Inc. offers genetic testing solutions for beef and dairy producers, optimizing herd health and breeding efficiency. Landoption connects landowners and producers with trusted advisors to navigate alternative revenue programs, integrating conservation and regenerative agriculture.
Each recipient of the LaunchLNK grant receives more than just financial support. They gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources and referrals designed to accelerate their growth. This includes accounting and tax services, legal services, office planning, coworking facilities, prototype development assistance, business coaching, and membership to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. The program also fosters a collaborative ecosystem, connecting startups with other resources and organizations in the region.
The LaunchLNK Grant Program has a proven track record of success. Since its inception in 2018, the 30 program graduates have collectively raised over $100 million in follow-on funding and grants. This demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in propelling startups towards success and contributing to Lincoln’s economic growth. The program’s ability to leverage grant funds as matching funds for other initiatives, such as the Nebraska Innovation Fund (NIF) Prototype Grant, further amplifies its impact.
Kathy Andersen, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at LPED, expressed excitement about the potential of this year’s recipients. “The talent and potential of our startups create incredible opportunities to build businesses and better our community,” she said. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird of Lincoln also emphasized the city’s support for these investments, highlighting their role in job creation and community development.
The LaunchLNK program has already made a significant impact on startups like DARO, Inc., a 2024 recipient. Kristen Bernhard, Founder & CEO of DARO, Inc., credited the LaunchLNK grant with transforming their vision for a swine pathogen surveillance system into a reality. The support provided by the program was crucial in proving their methodology and bringing their product to market.
LPED will open the next round of applications for the LaunchLNK program in the fall of 2025, continuing to foster Lincoln’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive economic growth.
