OMAHA, Nebraska (September 30, 2025)—UNeMed’s annual celebration of innovation and discovery at the University of Nebraska begins on Monday, October 20.
Hosted by UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office for UNMC and UNO, Innovation Week will enter its 19th year with an open house 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, in the Durham Research Center atrium.
Innovation Week’s featured event is the Research Innovation Awards Banquet Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Scott Conference Center on UNO’s Akasarben Campus.
The week will also feature additional seminars and events designed to enhance innovation and discovery efforts at UNMC and UNO.
All events are free and open to the public, but the Awards banquet is by invitation only. Further details can be found on UNeMed’s Innovation Week page.
Monday’s Kick-off event will feature snacks, coffee, T-shirts and other freebies, along with a chance for attendees to meet UNeMed staff.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, UNeMed and the Nebraska Research Initiative will host Inventors Grove, weekly meeting that operates like a support group. Open from 7-8:30 a.m., people are encouraged to drop in at any time. It’s open to anyone who might have an idea or new discovery but doesn’t know what to do about it. Experienced inventors will be there to provide guidance, fellowship, support and inspiration to anyone curious about navigating the innovation process.
The week’s main event, the annual Innovation Awards, will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the Scott Conference Center, at 6450 Pine Street.
An invitation-only event, the Awards will honor all UNMC and UNO inventors who disclosed a new invention, received an issued U.S. patent, or had their technology licensed during the previous fiscal year. Special awards for Emerging Inventor, Faculty Entrepreneur, Innovation Champion, Startup of the Year and the Most Promising New Invention of 2025 will also be presented.
Innovation Week will continue on Thursday, Oct. 23 with another installment of Idea Pub: Startup Showcase at 4-6 p.m. at the Omaha Catalyst Forge Event Hall.
Sponsored in partnership with UNeTech Institute and NUTech Ventures, the Startup Showcase will feature several short presentations featuring new companies built around Nebraska innovations in healthcare. The event is open and free to all, but guests are asked to register <a href=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaaWIBlcckxck9Ktcpgf-n8udatu695BRS5u7PV6xLKJdfcg/viewform?usp=header” alt=”Startup Showcase” title=”Startup Showcase” target=”_blank”>here</a>.
A panel discussion hosted by the National Institutes of Health is set for Friday, Oct. 24. Five panelists from the NIH will discuss non-dilutive funding opportunities for academic researchers and innovators interested in pursuing the small business grant program. The discussion will be a virtual event, held via Teams. To register go here.
Nebraska researchers are also encouraged to pre-book one-on-one meetings with NIH panelists here.
Finally, Innovation Week concludes on Saturday with startup launch party for FamilyRoom.health, a new company built by UNMC nurse, Breanna Hetland, PhD.
The party will be at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center in Council Bluffs at 4-7 p.m. The evening will feature more information about the growing startup company, along with art, music and refreshments. To learn more about thee vent and how to register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burden-bloom-tickets-1664576074849.
All events are free and open to the public, but the Awards reception is by invitation only. Further details can be found on UNeMed’s Innovation Week page.
