Six startups receive $100,000 in accelerator investments | Local News

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.

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.