Dear reader, you likely picture places like Silicon Valley or Seattle when thinking about leading innovation hubs. However, did you know that the heartland state of Nebraska fosters some of America‘s largest and most influential technology corporations?
An Unlikely Tech Leader Flying Under the Radar
With heritage rooted in agriculture, Nebraska might seem an unlikely candidate to host globally impactful software firms and high-tech manufacturers. However, the Cornhusker State provides fertile soil for entrepreneurs with business-friendly policies, academic research partnerships, and accessible technical talent.
Nebraska boasts over 75,000 tech workers statewide fueling job growth up 15% since 2018 according to CompTIA‘s 2022 Cyberstates report. Let‘s explore the key players:
Notable Nebraska Headquarters:
| Company | Founded | Segment | Employees | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindsay Corporation | 1955 | Irrigation Equipment | 1,800+ | $1.6 billion |
| HDR | 1917 | Architecture & Engineering | 10,000+ | $2.4 billion |
| Lozier | 1956 | Retail Fixtures & Displays | 2,200+ | $760 million |
| Valmont Industries | 1946 | Infrastructure Solutions | 25,000+ | $4 billion |
| Hudl | 2006 | Sports Performance Software | 850+ | $980 million* |
**Venture funding raised
Homegrown corporations like Valmont Industries and Lindsay Corporation drive technological innovation in America‘s heartland while competing globally across more 90 countries each. Hudl‘s sports software analytics platforms are utilized by teams worldwide – even aiding the New England Patriots on 6 Super Bowl runs!
Meanwhile employee-owned firm HDR delivering architectural and engineering services has played integral roles in renowned projects like Dubai‘s Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Despite the lack of fanfare, Nebraska punches well above its weight fostering technology pioneers.
Cultivating Innovation Across Sectors
Dear reader, you will notice Nebraska‘s impact spans across business, agriculture, construction, transportation, and even surgical robots:
Private Sector Leaders Headquartered in Nebraska
| Company | Founded | Segment | Employees | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiewit | 1884 | Construction & Engineering | 20,000+ | $12 billion |
| Spreetail | 2006 | Ecommerce Growth Engine | 1,500+ | $500+ million |
| CSI | 1981 | Managed IT Services | 150+ | $10+ million |
| Virtual Incision | 2006 | Surgical Robotics | 25+ | $116 million* |
**Venture funding raised
Kiewit Corporation handles complex infrastructure projects like offshore oil rigs and wind farms worth billions generating over $12 billion yearly. Yet you probably never heard of Peter Kiewit‘s Nebraska-based construction empire ranked 11th largest contractor in North America.
Similarly, Spreetail accelerated digital brands onto Amazon and other top marketplaces the tune of over $500 million in 2021 revenue – with 100+ global partnerships secured in just 15 years. Tech unicorns based outside coastal hubs rarely make headlines!
Nebraska Cultivates Specialized Innovation
While broad infrastructure and irrigation equipment manufacturing are key strengths, Nebraska also harbors niche technology innovators like:
Virtual Incision – pioneers surgical robots enabling colon resection procedures with a miniature capsular device controlled remotely. Their MIRA platform makes headlines for successful microgravity testing onboard the space station as a potential emergency surgical assistant for astronauts. Talk about specialized use cases!
Hudl – See how this Lincoln-based startup founded by university grads took performance analytics software from college dorm rooms to professional locker rooms now used by over 30,000 sports teams and organizations globally.
Orion Advisor Solutions – You probably never heard of this Omaha fintech firm, but it powers back offices for many recognizable finance brands managing over $1 trillion in assets helping RIAs and asset managers scale through flexible wealth management software.
Nebraska punches above its weight across niche domains primed for national then global influence.
Key Factors Driving Nebraska‘s Tech Ascent
Dear reader, Nebraska fosters technology innovation across various fields due to key advantages:
1) Academic Research Partnerships – The University of Nebraska system affiliates with many homegrown corporations participating in R&D while funneling talent into the workforce through internships and co-ops. For example, Virtual Incision founders first created surgical robot prototypes as university faculty members.
2) Business Friendly Conditions – Nebraska economic development agencies actively build public-private partnerships offering tax incentives, site selection and networking platforms connecting startups to local support systems. The state is ranked 8% below national average for cost of doing business.
3) Investment Community Collaboration – As emerging fields like agritech, microelectronics, biotech and software development gain traction, Nebraska facilitates events connecting founders with seasoned VC investors from Silicon Valley to Chicago.
By removing barriers to innovation whether financial, technical or networking Nebraska sustains both mega-corporations and rising startups.
The Outlook Shines Bright for the Cornhusker State
Dear reader, between established global brands and tomorrow‘s rising tech stars across transportationequipment, precision agriculture, mass custom manufacturing and disruptive software platforms – Nebraska fashions much of the infrastructure economies rely upon around the world.
Yet innovation pioneers across aircraft systems, microelectronics, animal health biotech, nanomaterials, weather analytics and other domains position the often overlooked state for significant tech growth in coming decades according to Conway Economic Development Report.
So next time you hear discuss of America‘s tech ascension, remember the pioneers cultivating specialized innovations across the heartland too!
