Six Nebraska startups each received a $100,000 boost last week.
The investments for the startups, which were announced at a press conference at Millwork Commons in north downtown Omaha, come from Lincoln-based startup accelerator NMotion through its Growth Accelerator program. . The money was provided by local individuals and businesses through a venture capital firm and startup accelerator builder, which is based in Wisconsin but has a partnership with NMotion, as well than with Invest Nebraska, a Lincoln-based nonprofit.
The six startups are HerHeadquarters, which connects women-owned businesses nationwide; Microwash, a medical device company marketing a product that collects nasal samples for painless COVID-19 testing; herbal beverage nutritional supplement company Tiiga; Noviqu knowledge and skills management platform; software solutions company Hellcat; and real estate software development company Particle Space.
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Scott Henderson, at the podium, Managing Director of NMotion, addresses a crowd gathered at Millwork Commons in Omaha. Henderson announced that six Nebraska startups have each received a $100,000 investment in addition to 12 weeks of programming that will connect startups with mentors and investors.
Dan Crisler
The six mark the inaugural cohort to receive investments from the NMotion program. They were among 179 companies that applied for the money.
Tiiga co-founders Katy and Jeff Tezak said the $100,000 investment will help expand their startup’s reach faster. Jeff Tezak said the investment will open up new avenues for selling Tiiga products.
After launching Tiiga in June 2020, the Tezaks have secured storage space for their products at approximately 50 Hy-Vee supermarkets in five states and are expanding the product to Texas and Salt Lake City.
Tiiga isn’t the only startup to see a relatively quick rise to success.
Since launching HerHeadquarters a few years ago, Carina Glover has grown her startup by connecting female entrepreneurs with female executives and their team members across the country. She is in the midst of a $750,000 fundraising campaign to expand her headquarters.
With the help of NMotion’s investment, Glover said, “We can impact more women-owned businesses. I can hire more good people who will allow us to have a big impact. It’s just about achieving our goals.
The investments made by NMotion in the six startups are what Nebraska Economic Development Director Tony Goins pointed to as an example of the support needed to ensure a thriving startup landscape.
“The difference between success and failure can often be measured in the resources and support available to help these business owners overcome obstacles and achieve milestones,” he said. “Groups like NMotion are so vital to our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Each startup will be matched with 100 mentors and up to 50 early-stage investors through a 12-week program. NMotion will also work with the six companies to help them grow their revenues, improve their products and services, and introduce investors to the next round of investments.
Scott Henderson, chief executive of NMotion, said Nebraska organizations and individuals have committed $3.7 million to bolster the state’s growing startup scene over the next two years.
“It’s a very exciting time here in Nebraska,” Henderson told a crowd that included entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.
Our best Omaha staff photos and videos from July 2022

People used beach towels to mark early morning spots in Memorial Park ahead of the Sheryl Crow concert that night on Friday.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE HERald OF THE WORLD

A butterfly drinks nectar from a flower at City Sprouts Community Garden on Friday. The property has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation as an Official Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site because it provides the four basic habitat elements necessary for wildlife to thrive: food, water, shelter, and places to raise the young.
MEGAN NIELSEN THE HERALD OF THE WORLD

A family of ducks swims across the pond in Fontenelle Park on Saturday evening.
MEGAN NIELSEN THE HERALD OF THE WORLD

A man is fishing at Spring Lake Park on Saturday.
MEGAN NIELSEN THE HERALD OF THE WORLD

Barrels remain at the Nox-Crete site located at 1415 S 20th which burned to the ground on May 30, 2022.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE HERald OF THE WORLD

A newly renovated building at 24th and Ohio streets is part of the historic North 24th Street business district which is being revitalized.
CHRIS MACHIAN THE HERald OF THE WORLD

CharDale Barnes poses for a portrait next to his business, Stable Gray, in a newly renovated building at 24th and Ohio Streets on Tuesday.
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Dr Sarah Woodhouse of the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is giving Vera, a 5-year-old tigress, a COVID booster at the safari park.
MEGAN NIELSEN, WORLD HERALD