Nebraska Founder Credits Business Innovation Grants for Helping to Keep Her Healthcare Startup in Aurora

AURORA, Neb. — Nov 25, 2025 — As Nebraska’s Business Innovation Act (BIA) programs face sudden defunding, one rural entrepreneur is sharing how state innovation grants helped her keep her company — and her career — rooted firmly in Nebraska.

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L, founder and CEO of OT Potential, grew up in Aurora, left the state for college — and later attended New York University for graduate school — before making the all-too-rare decision to return to her hometown in rural Nebraska to raise her family and build a business.

Her experience challenges the prevailing “brain drain” narrative.

“It’s not easy to start a small business — especially from a rural town — but this grant gave me the opportunity to innovate and serve as a leader in my field from a place I love,” Lyon said.

OT Potential has been awarded two Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grants:

• March 26, 2025 — $32,000

• May 6, 2023 — $20,000

The sudden discontinuation of these programs — recently reported by Silicon Prairie News— has sparked concern across the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Grant #1: Building a Statewide and National Asset — The OT Directory

OT Potential’s first grant funded the development of the Occupational Therapy Directory, now used by thousands of patients and therapists nationwide.

In Nebraska, the directory supports seven OT-owned private practices, helping rural and urban entrepreneurs get found by local residents seeking care.

The resource has also strengthened recruitment pipelines for Nebraska’s OT programs at Nebraska Methodist College and College of Saint Mary, helping prospective students understand the scope and impact of OT careers within the state.

Grant #2: Developing a Clinical Decision Support System — Fueling National Partnerships

The company’s second grant funded the creation of OT Potential’s evidence-based clinical decision support system and its new generation of AI learning modules, designed to prepare OT students and clinicians for complex, fast-paced healthcare environments.

This innovation is already catalyzing new collaborations. The grant has helped OT Potential forge partnerships with:

• University of the Pacific

• Des Moines University

• Northern Arizona University

• Eastern Washington University

• Western New England University

• Xavier University

• Missouri State University

The first modules are being piloted at the University of Pittsburgh under Alyson Stover, OTD, with early feedback signaling improved readiness for fieldwork, better clinical reasoning and increased confidence in interprofessional communication.

Reinvesting Directly Back Into Nebraska

Under the Nebraska Innovation Fund Prototype Grant rules, businesses must match funds and spend grant dollars inside the state, with expenses reimbursed at 66%. This reimbursement structure protects Nebraska taxpayers: companies receive state funds only after they have invested their own capital and paid for services upfront.

For OT Potential, this model created a major economic multiplier.

To meet the requirements of the grant, OT Potential put $1.50 back into the Nebraska economy for every $1 awarded — an immediate infusion that supported local developers, contractors and service providers.

“Because the money had to be spent in-state, we went the extra mile to find Nebraska developers — something we never would have done otherwise,” Lyon said. “Across both grants, we invested over $78,000 directly into Nebraska development talent.”

This immediate reinvestment is only the beginning of the ripple effect these grants can generate. Other Prototype Grant recipients have gone on to become major economic drivers for Nebraska. For example, CompanyCam — awarded a $50,000 Prototype Grant in 2016 — was recently recognized as the state’s first startup unicorn, valued at $2 billion.

For Lyon, the most meaningful ripple effect has been the ability to grow her company while keeping ownership local.

“We’re bootstrapped by choice,” she said. “I get emails from private equity firms one to two times per week and take calls quarterly. Without this cash-flow boost from the state, there’s a very real scenario where a majority stake of our company’s equity would now be on the East Coast. Instead, it’s staying right here in Nebraska.”

Statewide Ripple Effects

The Prototype Grants have supported economic, educational and healthcare growth across Nebraska. In OT Potential’s case, the benefits extend well beyond the company:

• Lyon and her husband have presented at events like Aurora High School’s Career Day, showing students that rural entrepreneurship is possible.

• Nebraska OT programs rely on OT Potential’s tools to recruit, prepare and retain OT students, strengthening the state’s healthcare pipeline.

• The OT Directory expands visibility for Nebraska therapy practices, improving local residents’ access to care.

• OT Potential’s nationally recognized innovations boost Nebraska’s reputation in digital health and higher-education technology.

A Program Proven to Strengthen Nebraska’s Economy

Recent research shows that BIA-funded companies have generated $16 in revenue for every $1 of state support — with more than $1.17 billion in annual economic output statewide.

OT Potential’s growth exemplifies this pattern: a rural, homegrown company expanding nationally while reinvesting in Nebraska jobs and educational partnerships.

And yet, three state grants — the prototype grant, the Small Business Innovation Research and Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program and the academic research and development grants — were recently paused.

“Eliminating programs with a proven 16-to-1 return on investment runs counter to the common-sense, pioneering spirit that defines Nebraskans,” Lyon said. “Why, in a year when rural communities are struggling, would we cut such a clear driver of job creation? If we truly want to stop the brain drain, we need to invest in the type of development that delivers real results — and this program delivered.”

About OT Potential

OT Potential is a Nebraska-based occupational therapy continuing education platform serving clinicians, educators and students worldwide. Through evidence-based continuing education, AI-supported learning tools and the industry’s top OT podcast, OT Potential helps practitioners deliver high-quality, research-informed care. Learn more at otpotential.com.

Press Contact

Sarah Lyon, OTR/L
Founder & CEO, OT Potential
[email protected]
Aurora, Nebraska