NEBRASKA TECH COLLABORATIVE

THE GENERATOR THAT POWERS INNOVATION AND PROGRESS

Aksarben’s Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC), is a workforce initiative convening leaders across the state to attract, develop, and retain tech talent and entrepreneurs to enable greater economic prosperity for Nebraska. The tech industry generates economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investments, and enhancing our state’s competitiveness on the national stage. Aksarben plays an important role in funding and supporting NTC by partnering with Nebraska businesses that understand the critical need for tech workers and creating a tech-friendly environment.

The Aksarben Foundation launched NTC in 2019 in response to business leaders across the state who were struggling with similar tech-talent challenges. With technology being the fastest-growing sector in the country and talent leaving the state at alarming numbers, this initiative plays an essential role in keeping Nebraska competitive, today and for many years to come.

PROGRAMS

N T C  S C H O L A R S

Engaging NE-based tech interns through peer and partner networking events

P I O N E E R S

Connecting NE innovators to grow the startup ecosystem

H I G H  S C H O O L  T E C H  A M B A S S A D O R S

Develop partnerships with Nebraska high schools and sponsor companies to learn more about careers in information technology

E D U C A T O R  E X T E R N S H I P S

Engaging educators and tech professionals to build and support the tech talent pipeline

L B 1 2 8 4  S U P P O R T

Support efforts through the state legislature to fund the Computer Science and Technology Education Act (LB1112). As of the end of the Legislative session, this bill has passed.

M I D D L E  S C H O O L  C A R E E R   E N G I N E E R I N G  P A T H W A Y S

Collaborating with the University of Nebraska Foundation to map middle school to postsecondary tech career connection opportunities

T R A I N I N G  T O 
P L A C E M E N T  M A P P I N G

Training to placement exercise with community college and nontraditional training providers

P I T C H  D A Y S

Accelerate startup success through peer network development opportunities

W O M E N  I N  S T E A M

Pair academic and industry professionals in science, technology, engineering, art, and math with mentors to foster entrepreneurship and leadership development

W O M E N  O F  C O L O R  I N  T E C H

Create opportunities for women of color in tech to connect and share their experiences

N T C  S C H O L A R S

Engaging NE-based tech interns through peer and partner networking events

H I G H  S C H O O L  T E C H  A M B A S S A D O R S 

Develop partnerships with Nebraska high schools and sponsor companies to learn more about careers in information technology

E D U C A T O R  E X T E R N S H I P S

Engaging educators and tech professionals to build and support the tech talent pipeline

L B 1 2 8 4   S U P P O R T

Support efforts through the state legislature to fund the Computer Science and Technology Education Act (LB1112). As of the end of the Legislative session, this bill has passed.

M I D D L E   S C H O O L  C A R E E R  E N G I N E E R I N G  P A T H W A Y S

Collaborating with the University of Nebraska Foundation to map middle school to postsecondary tech career connection opportunities

T R A I N I N G  T O 
P L A C E M E N T   M A P P I N G

Training to placement exercise with community college and nontraditional training providers

W O M E N  I N  S T E A M

Pair academic and industry professionals in science, technology, engineering, art, and math with mentors to foster entrepreneurship and leadership development

W O M E N  O F  C O L O R  I N  T E C H

Create opportunities for women of color in tech to connect and share their experiences

P I O N E E R S

Connecting NE innovators to grow the startup ecosystem

P I T C H  D A Y S

Accelerate startup success through peer network development opportunities

Opportunities in Our Backyard

Increase student awareness and access to Nebraska-based tech careers through structured employer engagement.

K E Y   A C T I O N S:
  • Collaborate with higher education partners statewide to support career fairs throughout the year, creating opportunities for students to connect with Nebraska employers.
  • Partner with employers and higher education institutions to host industry-led speaker events and job shadowing opportunities, giving students real-world career insights.
  • Conduct a feasibility study in collaboration with university and corporate partners to explore a corporate readiness course, focusing on essential workforce skills, curriculum integration, and industry alignment.
 
T A R G E T   O U T C O M E S : 
  • 20% conversion rate of engaged students securing internships with participating employers.
  • Feasibility study for an accredited corporate readiness course completed by Q1 2026.
ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGH Q3 2025 : 
  • Corporate readiness course launched at UNO in Year 1 (ahead of schedule), with first cohort underway.
  • Multiple employer-led events including C-Suite visits, near-peer panel discussions, and resume reviews completed.

  • Networking presentation, mentoring panel discussion, and mentor matchmaking sessions scheduled in Q4 2025.

D A N   H O U G H T O N, EXECUTIVE SPONSOR

Dan Houghton is the co-founder and CEO of Buildertrend. Under his leadership, Buildertrend has experienced significant growth since its founding in 2006, powering job sites across more than 100 countries and benefiting more than 1 million users since its inception. Buildertrend’s world-class software offering has led the construction industry, notorious for late tech adoption, into the modern age. 

With a reputation as a people-driven leader and champion of strong workplace culture, Dan believes that practicing transparent communication leads to stronger organizations. Dan is active in the community and advises as a board member of several companies and institutions that promote housing accessibility, technology adoption and higher learning.

Tech Career Readiness

Identify and address critical tech skill gaps to ensure students, interns, and professionals are fully prepared for the workforce.

K E Y   A C T I O N S:
  • Conduct a statewide technical skills gap analysis to assess key workforce competencies, engaging employers across Nebraska’s six community college regions with ongoing reassessments.
  • Create a career readiness roadmap that adapts to employer needs and equips the workforce for high-demand tech roles.
  • Integrate AI and emerging technology readiness into career planning, aligning skills training with future industry demands.
 
T A R G E T   O U T C O M E S : 
  • 75+ employer responses to ensure the data is representative and inclusive of small businesses and companies from each of Nebraska’s six community college regions.
  • Career readiness roadmap completed by Q1 2026.
  • AI/emerging tech readiness plan drafted, aligning Nebraska’s workforce development initiatives with the latest industry trends and technological advancements.
D O U G   D U R H A M, EXECUTIVE SPONSOR

Doug Durham is the co-founder and CEO of Don’t Panic Labs, a firm that helps companies innovate through the design and development of software technologies. He has more than three decades of software engineering and development experience in aerospace and defense, healthcare, manufacturing, eCommerce, consumer web applications, and Internet network services. He is passionate about the process of solving problems through software, and the application of sound engineering principles and patterns to these efforts. His diverse skills, education, and various leadership roles have shaped his career.

Doug is a proud Husker and has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has taught at the UNL Raikes School of Computer Science and the College of Engineering and serves on a College of Engineering advisory board. Doug has recently released his first book, co-authored with Chad Michel, titled “Lean Software Systems Engineering for Developers.”

Tech Ecosystem Alignment

Strengthen collaboration in Nebraska’s tech ecosystem to create a more connected, transparent, and engaged tech community.

K E Y   A C T I O N S:
  • Host the Nebraska Women in Tech Summit
  • Host a strategic retreat in 2025 to foster collaboration and define roles within Nebraska’s tech ecosystem.
  • Enhance transparency and awareness within Nebraska’s tech ecosystem
     
 
T A R G E T   O U T C O M E S : 
  • Reach over 10,000 stakeholders through digital, event-based, and media outreach, increasing visibility and fostering deeper connections within the tech community.
  • Ensure the Nebraska Women in Tech Summit reaches full capacity and secures sponsorships that support long-term sustainability.
S U E   T H A D E N, EXECUTIVE SPONSOR

 

EDUCATOR JOB SHADOW PROGRAM

The Educator Job Shadow Program provides Nebraska K-12 educators with a paid week of hands-on experience in tech roles at partner organizations, allowing them to bring valuable insights back to their classrooms.

EMPLOYER INTEREST FORM

HIGH SCHOOL TECH AMBASSADORS

The High School Tech Ambassador Program is designed to connect high school students with enriching IT education and career exploration opportunities. This program serves as a bridge between students, schools, and the tech industry in Nebraska.

INTEREST SURVEY

TUNE INTO THE NTC PODCAST

NTC PARTNERSHIPS

By engaging partners from across the state, the Nebraska Tech Collaborative is working holistically to change the technology landscape. To ensure success, we need our partners to invest in the effort.

OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Mike S. Cassling
Christopher M. Dill
Doug Durham
Dan S. Houghton
Mike Lechtenberger
Brandy Luna
Tracy Schaefer
Matt S. Spyers
Sue E. Thaden

OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPANIES

OUR DONORS

  • Attend exclusive events
  • Make industry connections
  • Learn from industry thought leaders
  • Share insights and discuss industry trends
  • Gain visibility for your company through marketing and PR opportunities

  • 100% tax deductible 

    • $2,500 – $4,500 – Storytelling Partner
    • $5,000 – $9,500 – Startup Partner
    • $10,000 – $30,000 – Tech Talent Partner
    • $50,000+ – Premier Partner
  • Small business innovators and entrepreneurs
  • Growth software companies
  • Technology-enabled manufacturing and hardware companies
  • Established technology companies
  • IT and Dev departments in non-tech companies
  • Software and technology startups and early-stage companies
  • Companies and organizations that provide services to the software and technology industry
  • Organizations that want to transform the tech ecosystem

STORIES

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2120 SOUTH 72ND STREET
SUITE 800
OMAHA, NE 68124
(402)- 554-9600

2120 SOUTH 72ND STREET
SUITE 800
OMAHA, NE 68124
(402)- 554-9600

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