Omaha Selected for Prestigious MIT REAP Global Program

The MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP, reap.mit.edu) has announced that Omaha is participating in its Global program, Cohort 9, which launched May 10. Over the next two years, through MIT REAP, the Omaha team will learn and adapt the frameworks developed by MIT to accelerate innovation-driven entrepreneurship (IDE) in their region.

MIT REAP is a global initiative that engages with communities around the world to supercharge IDE ecosystems and transform economies. The Global program employs an evidence-based “team” approach, translating MIT research and insights into a practical, actionable, and strategic framework that convenes and educates key stakeholders, and empowers regional leaders to drive meaningful, long-term economic and social change.

MIT REAP Team Omaha is championed by Laurel Oetken, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for the Greater Omaha Chamber, and includes highly influential regional leaders who represent five major stakeholder groups: government, university, corporate, risk capital, and entrepreneurs.

Omaha’s participation is part of an initiative with The Heartland Civic Collaborative (HCC), which serves as the regional voice of the Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Louis metros. As one mega-region, they will build momentum through targeted civic initiatives and drive strategic, coordinating actions toward common goals. There are four main areas of focus that provide mutually beneficial opportunities to the Heartland: Transportation, Federal Advocacy, Life Sciences, and Entrepreneurship & Human Capital. To learn more, visit heartlandciviccollaborative.org. For information about MIT REAP, visit reap.mit.edu.