Leading up to the New Venture Competition (April 10 & 14), the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship hosts a series of preparation workshops designed to help students build stronger ideas, clearer business plans, and more confident pitches. These sessions are open to any student who wants to compete or explore turning an idea into a venture.
During the workshops, students can learn how to structure their business concept, develop a compelling pitch, and ask questions about the competition process. Whether you’re just starting to shape an idea or already working on a venture, the workshops provide guidance to help you prepare for the next step. Many successful teams begin by attending these sessions to get early feedback, refine their ideas, and better understand what judges look for in a winning pitch.
The New Venture Competition preparation workshops include:
March 26, 5 p.m. | Howard L. Hawks Hall, Room 315 | Office Hours: Bring any questions or requests for help, regardless of topic. Faculty and staff will be available to assist.
March 31, 2 p.m. | Online (find Zoom link on website) | New Venture 101 with the Director: Pitching, Business Plans and Customer Discovery
April 1, 2 p.m. | Online (find Zoom link on website) | Effectively Calculate & Communicate Your Numbers (Financials, Market Size, etc.)
April 7, 2 p.m. | Online (find Zoom link on website) | Pitch Deck Success
April 7, 5 p.m. | Howard L. Hawks Hall, Room 315 | Open Pitch Night: Practice your pitch and get feedback from peers and faculty
April 8, 5 p.m. | Howard L. Hawks Hall, Room 315 | Office Hours: Bring any questions or requests for help, regardless of topic. Faculty and staff will be available to assist.
Students who want a head start, extra feedback, or who can’t attend one of the scheduled workshops can also schedule time with Mallory Krenk, the center’s student engagement and recruitment coordinator. Mallory works with students one-on-one to talk through ideas, help prepare pitches, and connect them with resources to move their ventures forward. Schedule a meeting with Mallory here: https://go.unl.edu/mallorykrenkschedule
Have general questions about New Venture Competition or the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship? Email the team at entrepreneurship@unl.edu.
Learn more and find Zoom links on the New Venture Competition website: https://go.unl.edu/newventurecompetition
Registration for the 39th annual New Venture Competition ends at noon on March 30. All University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate and graduate students are welcome and encouraged to register. Alumni who graduated in May 2025 or after are also welcome and encouraged to register.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/newventurecompetition