Open Range’s JumpStart Challenge offers $2,500 top prize

By Amara Osei

$2,500 is the top cash prize as Open Range’s 2026 JumpStart Challenge returns with a public virtual kickoff and overview at noon Monday, Nov. 2. The reverse pitch competition awards $2,500 for choosing either of two corporate problems and $1,000 for choosing the ecosystem problem, Open Range said.

Founders and builders of every background and experience level can join the challenge, according to Open Range. The competition asks entrants to develop solutions for real problems submitted by corporate sponsors.

Which organizations are posing the problems?

First National Bank of Omaha and Olsson are pitching the two corporate problems, while the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is providing the ecosystem problem, Open Range said. All three problems will be unveiled Monday, and the sponsors will be available for feedback and communication with participants, Open Range said.

Stange said Open Range sought to increase the challenge’s visibility and participation through the virtual kickoff and a dedicated workday with mentorship on Nov. 7 at DPL. Individuals do not need to form teams before the kickoff and may work independently, Open Range said.

What does a winner receive?

Beyond cash, Open Range says winning packages include:

• Open Range guarantees the winner a spot to continue working on the solution and receive additional assistance during Startup Weekend 2027, another hackathon-style event hosted by the nonprofit.
• Open Range also includes multiple meetings with the problem providers, establishing connections with a potential customer.
• Open Range adds consultations with Don’t Panic Labs, a Lincoln-based software and consulting company, and NUtech Ventures, the commercialization and tech transfer office for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Open Range adds logo design by Secret Penguin, a brand creation and management agency.

Why is Open Range using JumpStart?

Program and Events Manager Jocelyn Stange said the JumpStart Challenge acts as the headline pitch competition during Startup Week this year. In previous years of Silicon Prairie Startup Week, a separate dedicated pitch competition let Nebraska founders share their businesses and compete for prize money, Stange said.

She said Open Range is interested in doing a larger pitch competition for future Startup Weeks and is using JumpStart this year to fill that interest. Open Range is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting and supporting the Greater Omaha and Lincoln startup hubs, the organization said.

Open Range said it acquired Silicon Prairie Startup Week from SPN earlier this summer.

How does the 2026 contest unfold?

Open Range’s schedule includes a two-week building period, a Nov. 16 pitch day and a concluding celebration that evening. All Startup Week 2026 festivities run from Nov. 16 through Nov. 21, and winners will be announced during the Startup Week Launch Party.

“We’re not necessarily looking for somebody who has a ton of experience being a founder,” Stange said. “It’s just looking for people that know how to be creative, be innovative and solve issues that these organizations are facing.”

Stange said Open Range will release a recording of the overview webinar for people unable to attend. She and the team remain available to answer questions about the competition. Open Range cited FanWord and SheMate in sportstech, plus the real-estate exit LiveBy, as outcomes from past JumpStart participants.

Open Range’s next milestone comes Nov. 2, when the nonprofit will unveil the three problems and open sponsor feedback. The pitch day arrives Nov. 16. Stange said the organization remains interested in a larger pitch competition for future Startup Weeks.