The Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development offers a variety of events including Big Idea Kearney, a business idea contest for UNK students, and the community. They offer a three-day startup weekend event for students and the community. As part of the College of Business and Technology, the CERD carries out their mission by collaborating with the management department to support the classes offered in the entrepreneurship minor. The team also works with faculty in CBT to execute various research projects and to support the annual Tri-City Area Economic Forum each fall.
In 2018, the CERD piloted the first Entrepreneurial Living-Learning Community. The team offers youth entrepreneurship program camps in the summer and supports the Enactus team in offering a high school program in the fall; New Venture Adventure. In the fall of 2017, the CERD initiated the first ever Central Nebraska Startup Week and either hosted, partnered, sponsored or promoted over 20 different entrepreneurial events throughout the Tri Cities.
Information on future CERD programs coming soon.
