What Nebraska Tech Collaborative does

Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC) is a nonprofit workforce development initiative launched in 2019 by the Aksarben Foundation and headquartered at 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 800 in Omaha, Nebraska. The organization convenes Nebraska's tech ecosystem — employers, educators, students, and entrepreneurs — to attract, develop, and retain technology talent across the state's six community college regions, in response to a documented outflow of tech talent from the state despite technology being the fastest-growing sector nationally. NTC delivers its mission through a portfolio of programs rather than a single product: NTC Scholars, Pioneers, High School Tech Ambassadors, Educator Externships (including a paid one-week job-shadow program for K-12 educators), Women in STEAM, Women of Color in Tech, and Pitch Days, alongside flagship events such as the Women in Tech Summit and the Nebraska Startup Job Mixer.

The organization's primary technology asset is the Technology Workforce Dashboard, originally built with the University of Nebraska at Omaha and updated in March 2026 in partnership with Lightcast, which provides demographic and job-posting data across Nebraska's six regions to surface skills gaps. Distribution operates through direct employer and higher-education partnerships, self-serve access to the dashboard, the NTC Podcast on Spotify, a newsletter, and event programming reaching over 10,000 stakeholders. The Executive Committee includes representatives from Buildertrend, Conagra Brands, Kiewit, Mutual of Omaha, Nelnet, FNBO, CQuence Health, Client Resources Inc., and Don't Panic Labs, with executive sponsors Dan Houghton (Buildertrend CEO) and Doug Durham (Don't Panic Labs CEO).

NTC generates revenue exclusively through tax-deductible annual partnership investments across four tiers: Storytelling Partner ($2,500–$4,500), Startup Partner ($5,000–$9,500), Tech Talent Partner ($10,000–$30,000), and Premier Partner ($50,000+). The organization runs with 1–10 employees and no disclosed revenue, operating as a programmatic initiative under the Aksarben Foundation rather than as an independent legal entity. Recent milestones include a 20% targeted conversion rate for engaged students securing internships with participating employers, completion of multiple employer-led events (C-Suite visits, near-peer panels, resume reviews), and a Q1 2026-targeted Career Readiness Roadmap and corporate readiness course feasibility study.

Name

Nebraska Tech Collaborative

Legal name

Nebraska Tech Collaborative

Website

https://nebtechcollab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC) is a 2019-founded nonprofit workforce initiative under the Aksarben Foundation that convenes Nebraska employers, educators, students, and entrepreneurs through programs and events — including a Lightcast-powered Technology Workforce Dashboard — to address the state's tech talent shortage across its six community college regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Partner Investment Program: NTC generates revenue through annual partnership investments from businesses at various tiers: Storytelling Partner ($2,500-$4,500), Startup Partner ($5,000-$9,500), Tech Talent Partner ($10,000-$30,000), and Premier Partner ($50,000+). These are 100% tax-deductible contributions that fund the workforce development initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC) is a nonprofit workforce development initiative that convenes Nebraska employers, educators, students, and entrepreneurs to attract, develop, and retain technology talent. It delivers a portfolio of talent programs (NTC Scholars, High School Tech Ambassadors, Educator Externships), startup ecosystem programs (Pioneers, Pitch Days), diversity initiatives (Women in STEAM, Women of Color in Tech), a workforce analytics platform (Technology Workforce Dashboard powered by Lightcast), and signature events such as the Nebraska Women in Tech Summit and the Nebraska Startup Job Mixer.

Product overview

Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC) is a workforce initiative under the Aksarben Foundation that operates as a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. The initiative encompasses talent development programs (NTC Scholars, High School Tech Ambassadors, Educator Externships), startup ecosystem support (Pioneers, Pitch Days), diversity initiatives (Women in STEAM, Women of Color in Tech), a data analytics platform (Technology Workforce Dashboard), and community engagement events (Nebraska Women in Tech Summit, NTC Podcast). These programs work together to attract, develop, and retain tech talent across Nebraska's six community college regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NTC Scholars: Program engaging Nebraska-based tech interns through peer and partner networking events
• Pioneers
• High School Tech Ambassadors
• Educator Externships
• Women in STEAM
• Women of Color in Tech
• Pitch Days
• NTC Podcast

Products and services

• Technology Workforce Dashboard A self-service workforce analytics platform providing demographic and job data to help address skills gaps in Nebraska's tech sector across all six community college regions. Available to policymakers, educators, and employers for workforce planning. Built in partnership with Lightcast and an earlier version with University of Nebraska at Omaha.
• NTC Scholars Engages Nebraska-based tech interns through peer and partner networking events designed to build professional connections, support retention, and integrate interns into the local tech community.
• Pioneers Connects Nebraska innovators through peer network development opportunities designed to grow the state's startup ecosystem.
• High School Tech Ambassadors Develops partnerships with Nebraska high schools and sponsor companies to educate students about careers in information technology.
• Educator Externships Engages K-12 educators and tech professionals through experiential learning opportunities, including a paid week of hands-on experience in tech roles at partner organizations, to build and support the tech talent pipeline.
• Women in STEAM Pairs academic and industry professionals in science, technology, engineering, art, and math with mentors to foster entrepreneurship and leadership development among women in technology.
• Women of Color in Tech Creates opportunities for women of color in tech to connect, share experiences, and develop professionally within Nebraska's tech ecosystem.
• Pitch Days Accelerates startup success through peer network development opportunities for Nebraska entrepreneurs, supporting the state's startup ecosystem.
• Nebraska Women in Tech Summit Annual summit celebrating and supporting women in technology careers in Nebraska, reaching full capacity and operating with sponsorships supporting long-term sustainability.
• Nebraska Startup Job Mixer Annual event connecting young talent, career changers, and community members with Nebraska startups, hosted at the Ashton Building in Omaha's Millwork Commons. Sponsors include Workshop, Open Range, Nebraska Angels, NMotion, and Nebraska Startup Academy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Corporate readiness course launched at UNO ahead of schedule with first cohort underway
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aksarben FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAksarben Foundation is the parent organization that launched NTC in 2019 in response to business leaders' tech talent challenges. It provides ongoing funding, operational support, and partnership infrastructure for NTC's workforce development initiatives across Nebraska.
• LightcastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce consulting firm that partnered with NTC to develop and release the updated technology workforce dashboard providing demographic and job data for Nebraska's tech sector.
• University of Nebraska at OmahamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarlier version of the technology workforce dashboard was created in partnership with UNO. The current dashboard builds on this earlier collaboration.
• BuildertrendmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder and CEO Dan Houghton serves as NTC Executive Sponsor. Buildertrend is represented on the Executive Committee and is one of the major Nebraska companies supporting tech workforce development.
• Don't Panic LabsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder and CEO Doug Durham serves as NTC Executive Sponsor. The company is represented on the Executive Committee supporting NTC initiatives.
• Millwork CommonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event and hosts it at their Ashton Building location in Omaha's Millwork Commons.
• University of Nebraska FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with NTC on middle school career engineering pathways to map middle school to postsecondary tech career connection opportunities.
• WorkshopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event.
• Open RangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event.
• Nebraska AngelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event supporting student entrepreneurship.
• NMotionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event supporting Nebraska's startup ecosystem.
• Nebraska Startup AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 Nebraska Startup Job Mixer event supporting startup success.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TechTown Detroit: Detroit-based tech-focused economic development nonprofit supporting tech entrepreneurs, talent, and ecosystem growth through programs, events, and partnerships. Comparable to NTC as a regional nonprofit tech ecosystem builder with workforce and entrepreneurship programming.
• CincyTech: Cincinnati-based tech ecosystem organization supporting startups, talent, and workforce development across the region. Comparable to NTC in operating model and emphasis on growing regional tech capacity through partnerships and programming.
• KC Tech Council: Regional tech industry association serving the Kansas City metro that convenes employers, talent, and educators around tech workforce development. Directly comparable to NTC's statewide convening and talent-pipeline mission, with similar reliance on employer partners and tiered sponsorship.
• Silicon Slopes: Utah-based nonprofit tech community organization that brings together employers, startups, and educators to grow the state's tech ecosystem through events, conferences, and workforce initiatives. Highly analogous model to NTC: statewide scope, employer-led governance, event-driven programming, and talent retention focus.
• Colorado Technology Association: Statewide tech industry association in Colorado that brings together tech employers, talent, and educators through programs, events, and policy advocacy. Comparable to NTC in scope, employer partnership model, and talent development mission.
• Arizona Technology Council: Statewide tech industry association in Arizona convening tech employers, talent, and educators through events, advocacy, and workforce programs. Comparable to NTC in statewide scope, tiered sponsorship structure, and talent pipeline focus.
• Pittsburgh Technology Council: Regional tech industry association serving southwestern Pennsylvania, providing employer networking, talent development programs, and tech workforce advocacy. Directly comparable to NTC in operating model and member-driven convening structure.
• MassTLC: Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council is a statewide tech industry association convening employers, talent, and policymakers around workforce development and innovation. Comparable to NTC as a state-level tech industry convener with employer partnership model and focus on talent pipeline issues.
• TechPoint: Indiana's tech ecosystem organization that drives statewide tech talent development, employer engagement, and industry growth through programs, events, and data initiatives. Comparable to NTC in mission, statewide scope, employer-led governance, and explicit talent/workforce pillar.
• Nashville Technology Council: Middle Tennessee tech industry association convening employers, founders, and educators through events, programs, and workforce development initiatives. Comparable to NTC as a regional tech industry convener with tiered sponsorship and talent pipeline focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NebTechCollab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-tech-collaborative
• Instagraminstagram.com/aksarbenfoundation
• Xx.com/neb_tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Tech Collaborative