New Direct Flight Connects Silicon Valley and Omaha’s Silicon Prairie

Getting to Silicon Valley from the Silicon Prairie (and vice versa) is now a whole lot easier. September 7 marked the inaugural direct flight connecting Omaha’s Silicon Prairie to San Francisco’s Silicon Valley. The new daily flight will open the door for new opportunities and access connecting both tech talent and capital to the Midwest.

Valley VC’s and tech talent can now jump on a plane and be in Omaha in just under 4 hours, something that until now required a layover and 6+ hours of travel time. The direct connect also makes it easier for Omaha to attract tech talent and startups. On average there are around 600 open tech positions in the Greater Omaha area. The cost of living in Omaha is 46 percent less than San Francisco and housing is 74 percent less. (Source: Payscale.com) The median house price is $163,500 in Omaha compared to Silicon Valley where the median is $980,000. And for startups the cost of doing business in Omaha is 11 percentage points less than San Francisco. As such, the new direct flight is projected to impact those doing business in the region favorably.

“A daily direct flight offers local entrepreneurs and startups easier access to capital and investors,” said Nathan Preheim, Senior Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Greater Omaha Chamber. “A founder can jump on a plane, have meetings with investors in San Francisco and be home to sleep in their own bed that night. Easier access to capital and talent is key. The daily flight breaks down barriers – real or perceived – and gets people to the Valley quicker and easier.“