About
The Nebraska-Israel AgriChallenge invites Israeli startups to address Wind Mitigation and Drought & Water Scarcity Management challenges, delivering solutions for one of the Midwest’s leading agricultural powerhouses.
The challenge offers participants the opportunity to showcase their technologies and connect with leading stakeholders from Nebraska’s AgTech ecosystem, including producers, agribusinesses, and policymakers.
The Challenges
Wind Mitigation
Soil erosion
Crop protection
Dust storms & wildfires resilience
Irrigation pivots damage
Sprayer drift
Drought & Water Scarcity Management
Water Storage Optimization
Operational Cost Reduction
Water availability
Water reuse & treatment
Rainwater capture & redistribution
The Prizes
The Gr8er Plains Summit
Full access to the Gr8er Plains Summit in Omaha (April 2026), including the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting, and exposure to innovation leaders across the Midwest.
Field Tests
A real opportunity to validate the solutions at Nebraska's farms.
Delegation Subsidies
Up to 3 selected startups will receive support for travel expenses.
1:1 Meetings
Curated meetings with Nebraska producers, agribusinesses, researchers, and ecosystem partners.
Startup Mentorship Package
Complimentary education support and resources from “The Combine” and “Invest Nebraska” Accelerators.
Funding Opportunity
Eligibility to apply for a $100,000 forgivable loan through Omaha 100.
Judges & Mentors
Darren Siekman
Vice President, Global Marketing & Policy
Ms. Cindi Allen
Deputy Secretary of State
Ben Williamson
Managing Partner
Jay Reiners
Past Chairman, Nebraska Corn Board, Corn Producer, Vice-Chairman
Rachael Whitehair
Director of Innovation & Stewardship
Itai Biran
Consul for Political and Commercial Affairs
Nick Brozović, PhD
Director of Policy, Professor, Agricultural Economics
Kurtis Charling
Vice President, Global AgTech Sales & Product Management
Makayla Leiting
Senior Manager, Industry Development and Innovation.
Brennan Costello
Director
Brandon Hunnicut
Grower, Chairman of the Nebraska Corn Growers
Alan Kotlyar
Director of Commercial and Economic Affairs
Nebraska’s Agricultural Landscape
Weather Pressure, Real Impact
Persistent high winds and recurring drought shape Nebraska’s climate, with 200+ windy days a year and frequent gusts of 35–55 mph, driving dust storms, wildfires, and infrastructure damage.
Agricultural Powerhouse
One of the leading agricultural states in the U.S., driven by large- scale farming and vital groundwater resources, with farmland covering nearly 90% of the state’s area.
Connected Ecosystem
A collaborative network of industry stakeholders accelerating AgTech solutions.
Farming Under Stress
Weather conditions are impacting farming operations. Soil erosion, crop damage, sprayer drift, reduced soil moisture, and irrigation strain are everyday realities for producers across the region.
Farmers Are Adapting
Advanced agtech practices are already in use, creating an ideal environment for pilots and real-world validation, while long-term resilience remains an open challenge.
Timeline
Launch
January 12, 2026
Exposure Webinar
January 20, 2026
Application Deadline
February 3, 2026
Screening Process
February 4 – March 6, 2026
Virtual Demo Day
March 3, 2026
Winner Announcement
March 9, 2026
The Gre8er Plains Summit
April 30 - May 3, 2026
