UNMC surgeon, Jason Johanning, MD, inventor and founder of Automated Assessments and VITAL-IT, presents his innovative approach for determining patient frailty before surgical procedures. Dr. Johanning was recently selected for the 2026 Pipeline fellowship cohort.
KANSAS CITY, Kansas (February 16, 2026)—Eight Nebraska startups and entrepreneurs, including four related to innovations developed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, were among Pipeline’s most recent cohorts of Fellows and Pathfinders.
“Pipeline is the premier entrepreneur support organization in the Midwest,” UNeMed President and CEO Michael Dixon, PhD, said. “The fact that our startup entrepreneurs are developing to a point where they are able to successfully compete and obtain spots in both the Pathfinder and full fellowship program is a testament to how far they have come and the quality of the entrepreneurs that we have leading our startups.”
Pipeline, an entrepreneurial support organization for nearly two decades, provides resources, mentoring and other programs for Midwestern startups and their founders. Most notable among Pipeline’s programs is the year-long Fellowship, which included UNeMed startups VITAL-IT and VisionSync among the 14 selected for the 2026 cohort.
VITAL-IT is built on an innovation created by UNMC surgeon Jason Johanning, MD. The innovation improves the process for determining the safety of surgical procedures for frail patients.
VisionSync is a strategic planning software tool that helps large, matrixed organizations set and define goals, milestones and other important success metrics. It was first developed and implemented at UNMC.
Two additional entrepreneurs working with UNMC innovations were added to Pipeline’s Pathfinders program: Go 360 Live and Rheam Medical.
Go 360 Live is a new company working with a UNMC innovation that allows for more robust consultations in healthcare settings. Rheam Medical uses a device that could improve surgical options in battlefield conditions.
The Fellowship program includes four, three-day modules about things like business modeling, financial guidance, and customer discovery. The program aims to help entrepreneurs grow their companies with the added help of expert advice from a stable of national advisers and mentors.
Pipeline’s Pathfinder program, entering its fourth year, is aimed at entrepreneurs from underserved communities, such as women, minorities or rural entrepreneurs.
Additional Nebraska startups in the 2026 Pipeline Fellowship are Docology, Empower Independence Company (Showerability), and Mission Accomplished.
Another Nebraska startup in the 2026 Pathfinder program is SheMate.
Pipeline member companies have generated more than $2.9 billion in revenue and raised more than $900 million in investments. In addition, member companies continue to create valuable companies with significant exits. In November, a Pipeline medtech founder exited their startup in a deal valued at more than $700 million.
