When healthcare startup RespirAI began searching for technology capable of transforming respiratory care, its founders evaluated opportunities across the globe. They looked in Israel, Asia and Europe before ultimately landing in Omaha, Nebraska.
That decision reflects the growing strength of Greater Omaha’s healthcare innovation ecosystem and the collaborative business environment supporting emerging med-tech companies, said RespirAI Managing Director of U.S. Operations Jonell Tempero.
RespirAI is developing a remote home monitoring platform designed to detect flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, before hospitalization becomes necessary. Technology paired with a proprietary algorithm licensed through UNeMed, RespirAI aims to help patients and care teams intervene earlier and reduce costly hospital stays.
“The ultimate goal is for us to provide an alert to patients and their care team so that they can be treated at home with inexpensive medicine and avoid hospitalization,” Tempero said.
The company’s technology originated from research developed within the University of Nebraska. RespirAI licensed its algorithm through UNeMed, the university’s technology transfer and commercialization partner.
That relationship has extended far beyond licensing support.
“UNeMed and UNeTech are very supportive of the companies that license tech developed in the university system,” Tempero said. “They also connect us to other startups, investors and key players in the local ecosystem to continue to help us develop.”
Those connections have become a defining advantage for healthcare companies operating in Omaha. Nebraska’s support ecosystem has helped things along as well.
“The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Invest Nebraska have been absolutely instrumental in our fundraising and growth,” Tempero noted. “Having those resources is incredible.”
RespirAI has already leveraged several Nebraska-based partnerships and resources as it grows. The company is collaborating with an area hospital on a clinical trial, and it has also partnered locally with a Right at Home, an Omaha senior care company, on commercialization efforts.
“It’s different than the coasts,” Tempero said. “You’re able to get into the community and make connections a lot more easily than you can when you’re on the coasts.”
That openness has left a strong impression on RespirAI’s international partners and investors. Earlier this year, several Israeli investors and startup leaders visited Omaha during the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Greater Plains Summit and Berkshire Hathaway shareholders weekend.
“Time and time again, what we heard from our investors is that everybody is so friendly — genuinely nice and willing to talk,” Tempero shared. “Everybody is willing to help you connect with the right people.”
The company has also found strong local partnerships outside the healthcare sector. RespirAI developed its RespiVera wellness application alongside Omaha-based software developer Don’t Panic Labs.
For site selectors and healthcare businesses evaluating growth markets, RespirAI’s experience highlights a growing healthcare ecosystem where research institutions, economic development organizations, startup support networks and private businesses actively work together to help companies succeed.
As RespirAI continues clinical trials, fundraising and product commercialization efforts, Omaha remains central to the company’s long-term growth strategy — and an example of how emerging healthcare innovation hubs can compete on a global stage.