Ava McNair of Imperial selected for Entrepreneurship Catalysts program at Nebraska

Ava McNair of Imperial, a first-year student majoring in management (entrepreneurship and innovation) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is among a record 18 students selected for the third cohort of the Entrepreneurship Catalysts program. Part of the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship, the program helps first-year students with entrepreneurial potential thrive from the start of their college careers.
This year’s Catalysts, representing four colleges, benefit from expanded yearlong programming, which includes a zero-credit weekly seminar and spring-semester collaboration with Nomi Health.
“We’re partnering with Nomi Health to help them craft solutions and ideas to remain innovative in the health care industry,” said Mallory Krenk, student engagement and recruitment coordinator in the Center for Entrepreneurship. “Catalysts will work directly with Nomi leaders and advance through the entrepreneurial process. Along with this semester-long project, we’ll integrate company tours, conversations with founders, and opportunities to further explore and experience the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nebraska.”
Catalysts receive a $1,000 scholarship, exclusive opportunities, and access to a network of entrepreneurial peers and professionals. In addition to Nomi Health, the program’s supporters include Kevin and Jolene Vermeer, Matt Tompkins, Allen Dayton, and Scott and Colleen Schmidt.
“This year, we’re able to offer more continuity in learning,” said Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management, who teaches Catalysts in the course Introduction to Entrepreneurship. “The extended program means students can deepen friendships, sharpen their skills and apply what they learn directly through projects with community partners.”
Each week, Catalysts explore entrepreneurial tools and techniques with guest speakers and mentors. They have participated in a rapid prototyping workshop led by Kenny Morales, an Entrepreneurship Accelerator student and co-founder of startup FindU; as well as a session on personal branding and networking with Tristen Metcalf, a Husker alumnus and director of business strategy for Senior Care Finder.
Students are selected based on entrepreneurial potential and passion, regardless of their background or field of study. They collaborate, build friendships and learn from one another while exploring Nebraska’s growing entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are open to incoming first-year students, with a priority application deadline of Feb. 1 and final deadline of April 1.
For more information on the Entrepreneurship Catalysts program, visit https://go.unl.edu/catalysts. For the full list of students in the 2025-26 cohort, visit https://go.unl.edu/2atc.