Urban League’s NOE Microloan Initiative Sparks Opportunity for Small Businesses
Small business owners across Nebraska are gaining new access to capital thanks to the launch of the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange’s $500,000 microloan fund. This initiative is designed to fuel growth for entrepreneurs who have the vision and drive but face barriers when it comes to financing.
The program, announced by the Urban League’s Nebraska Opportunity Exchange (NOE), goes well beyond loans. In addition to financing, entrepreneurs receive training, mentorship, and long-term guidance, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to sustain success.
Since 2022, NOE has been focused on helping small businesses, especially those led by underrepresented entrepreneurs, secure contracts, access funding, and grow with confidence. This new fund builds directly on that mission, emphasizing inclusive economic development across the state.
At a recent government contracts training session provided by the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC), we caught up with April Hibbler of the NOE to learn more about its programming. Here’s what she had to say:
April Hibbler of the NOE
“Today marked the start of a nine-month session aimed at teaching participants about government contracting, including registration in sam.gov, Apex accelerators, and various certifications that can lead to set-aside and sole source contracts.
The session is designed as an initial step for those interested in government contracting at state, local, and federal levels.”
Adonna Bryant of LIIT
At the session, Adonna Bryant, founder of LIIT Ladies in Information Technology, discussed how such trainings and funding initiatives could lead to a big impact on her company’s growth. Bryant offers STEAM activities for youth within the Omaha Public School System. “At the moment, the organization lacks a website,” Bryant said, and hopes to acquire funding to build out its digital presence along with recruitment efforts.
The funding initiative is a specific collaboration between NOE, Invest Nebraska, and the Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF). Each partner brings unique expertise: NEF contributes decades of lending experience, Invest Nebraska adds a venture-backed perspective tailored for local businesses, and NOE offers trusted relationships and a vision for equity and inclusion.
Entrepreneurs can begin with a microloan of up to $50,000. Those who complete capacity-building training unlock additional opportunities, including up to $100,000 in funding through NEF or $20,000 through Lending Link. This layered approach creates flexibility and opens multiple pathways for growth.
Sana Rasheed of UTeachOn Academy
Success will be measured not only by loan repayment but also by stronger businesses, profitable operations, and entrepreneurs earning above Nebraska’s median household income. The broader vision is to close the racial wealth gap and build a state where every entrepreneur has a fair shot at success.
It’s that fair shot that has Sana Rasheed, co-founder of UTeachOn Academy LLC, hopeful about the possibilities of funding from her attendance at the NOE training sessions. Her company specializes in IT cloud solutions for the government and higher education sectors.
“I'm here at the event, hosted by the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange and NBDC program as well, excited to be here and happy to know and meet everybody in the community, and excited to learn more about businesses,” she said.
At its heart, this microloan initiative is more than financial support. It’s about dignity, empowerment, and transformation, ensuring that when Nebraska’s small businesses rise, entire communities rise with them.