Supporting Entrepreneurs and the Small & Local Businesses in Lincoln & Lancaster County

LIBA University is a business‑led initiative, led initiated by the LIBA IMPACT Foundation, coordinated in part with the Lincoln Independent in coordinatition, designed to support entrepreneurs and small business owners through practical training, peer connection, and workspace options aligned with real stages of the business lifecycle.

LIBA University focuses on:

• Employer‑driven skills and leadership development
• Access to training, mentors, and other business owners
• Potential workspace options that support early‑stage and growing businesses
• Strong connections between the business community, workforce development, and education partners

LIBA is working with Southeast Community College and Union Adventist University to develop a bi‑directional internship program.

Educational institutions would list students seeking internships and their areas of study within the LIBA member portal. At the same time, LIBA members could post internship opportunities and desired skills—creating a streamlined, business‑driven matching process

Tier I - Basic - As your home-business matures, you may realize that a "professional mailing address" and the occasional conference room would be beneficial. Members in Tier I may reserve a conference room up to twice a month. Note - this is not drop in co-working type space.

Tier II - Professional - Others businesses have evolved to where dedicated office space for working and meeting clients is appropriate. These spaces include desks, filing space, access to conference rooms - on a reserved basis, storage and copier/printing. .

Tier III - Enterprise - Members in Tier III are near to launching own office space, but not quite yet. Tier III benefits come with everything in Tier II, plus priority in reserving conference rooms and the ability to request "assistance" from interns working in the LIBA IMPACT program or Lincoln Independent Business Association. The work should be something that has an educational component for the intern and generally not be associated with generating revenue.