(Omaha, NE – January 22, 2026) – CQuence Health has joined forces with University of Nebraska-affiliated organizations UNeMed and UNeTech Institute to launch Steel Works Health Accelerator, a new program designed to support and advance local health-innovation startups.
Early-stage startups often encounter significant challenges as they work to validate their idea, market opportunity and impact on patient care, including developing business plans, pitching to investors and competing for capital. These hurdles slow down progress, limit access to resources and make it difficult for promising innovations to gain traction.
Steel Works Health Accelerator, which kicks off in February with its first cohort, will address these challenges by providing entrepreneurs with structured mentorship, training and a supportive networking environment. The program includes modules on pricing strategy, commercialization pathways, capital planning and strategy road mapping, among other core topics. Participants will also engage in group workshops and 1:1 coaching sessions.
For CQuence Health, this initiative reflects a natural extension of its mission. With decades of experience helping healthcare companies grow through strategic guidance and professional services while experiencing the headwinds firsthand, the accelerator program allows CQuence to share its expertise with emerging innovators at a critical moment in their journey.
“Being the founder of a startup company can be a lonely place,” said Kyle Salem, PhD, CEO of CQuence Health. “It takes grit and perseverance to go from launching an idea to bringing the solution fully to market. We’re thrilled to play a role teaching and guiding these innovators to see around the corner and avoid some of the pitfalls.”
In addition to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, the accelerator program helps to ensure that novel healthcare ideas, developed right here at University of Nebraska, go on to advance healthcare access and outcomes, which is core to the missions of UNeMed, UNeTech Institute and CQuence Health.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with UNeMed and UNeTech,” said Katie Paladino, Director of Growth at CQuence Health. “They’ve been incredible collaborators, and this accelerator allows us to expand their impact while creating new opportunities for arising healthcare founders.”
Beyond supporting early‑stage founders, the accelerator also reinforces CQuence’s belief that innovation thrives when talent and opportunity stay rooted in the communities that shaped them.
“As an Omaha‑based, employee‑owned company, we’re deeply committed to keeping talent and innovation rooted in Nebraska,” said Dr. Salem. “Steel Works Health Accelerator strengthens that commitment by giving local founders the support they need to grow their ideas right here at home.”
More information about the collaboration and the Steel Works Health Accelerator can be found in UNeMed’s original press release.
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