According to research done by Kauffman, the opportunity share of new entrepreneurs in Nebraska is higher than in the rest of the nation. Similarly, with every passing day, the startup scene in Nebraska seems to accelerate with many venture capital firms and angel investors located in Omaha.

However, in 2024, most of the angel investors have joined venture capital firms, private equity firms, and angel networks. That is why currently, there isn’t a huge number of investors whom you can pitch to and secure an investment.

But! There’s nothing to worry about! I have prepared a list of the top 6 angel investing networks in Nebraska, along with their investment networks.

Top 6 Angel Networks In Nebraska

Following is the list of some of the top angel networks, private equity, and venture capital firms that fund startups.

Nebraska Angels

Website: Nebraska Angels

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Consumer Products, and Digital Businesses

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

Founded in 2006, Nebraska Angels is one of the most prominent and biggest angel networks in Nebraska. The network has invested in more than 70 companies and has funded more than $54M in capital.

When funding startups, Nebraska Angels searches for startups that are at the seed and early stage. They prefer companies that have significant chances of growth and present unique solutions. The investors also prioritize companies that have a hardworking/experienced team, led by entrepreneurs with at least 5-10 years of industry experience.

Similarly, Once a startup has been funded, Nebraska Angels ensures they receive the best guidance through the investor panel. Throughout the year, the network arranges many events and fundraisers to boost the startup environment.

The investment range of Nebraska Angels ranges from $100,000 to $500,000. Among many of their investments, some notable names are:

Powderhook: Powderhook is a company that develops a localized message board for the fishing and hunting community. The platform helps to connect people to their fish and wildlife resources through cooperative partnerships that engage, educate, and connect people to each other.

Iris Industries LLC: Iris Industries manufactures high-value sustainable composites using renewable bio-based resin with agricultural residue, recycled, and reclaimed materials. They create beautiful, durable, cost-effective materials from available waste streams.

Flywheel: Flywheel is a company that provides digital commerce solutions, purpose-built to accelerate growth for the world’s leading brands. 

Loophire: Loophire is a company that provides hiring solutions, HR support, and employment services. They help small- to medium-sized companies handle hiring with the help of simple technology and human connection.

Dundee Venture Capital

Website: Home - Dundee Venture Capital

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Skincare, and Digital Business

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

Founded in 2010 by Mark Hasebroock, Dundee Venture Capital is a renowned venture capital firm that invests in Nebraska-based startups. The network has funded around 90 companies since its inception and invests in early-stage startups.

Unlike other firms, they do not organize formal screening tests but often conduct random tests. It can be as informal as a conversation between a VC and a third party or as formal as an in-depth review of a company pitch deck or business plan. They focus on the compatibility of the investment with the fund and the quality of key aspects of the venture.

Moreover, Dundee Venture Capital is dedicated to investing in transformational technology startups that are being built outside of traditional coastal startup hotbeds and hype cycles.

The investment range of Dundee Venture Capital ranges from $500,000 to several million dollars, depending on the startup. Some of their portfolio companies are:

Anra Technologies: Anra Technologies is a company that operates a cloud-based drone operational platform. They have raised a total of $8.1M in funding.

Blanka: Blanka is a platform that helps anyone start a makeup or skincare line by automating the process of branding products. They have raised $2M in funding.

Amify: Amify is a company that provides a solution for brands seeking to maximize their selling potential on Amazon. They offer sales acceleration, brand enhancement, brand protection, and unauthorized seller protection. They have raised $5.8M in Series A funding.

Panorama Point Partners

Website: Panorama Point Partners | Investment Partner of Choice | United States

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Software, and Healthcare

Investment Stage: Seed and Late

Founded by Clarey Castner and Stephen George, Panorama Point Partners also invests in seed and late-stage startups in Nebraska. The network has funded around 15 startups and is headquartered in Omaha. 

When funding startups, Panorama Point Partners invests in businesses that are based on unique ideas and have decent chances of growth. They also have a network of investors who arrange screening tests.

The investment range of Panorama Point Partners ranges from $1M to $7M. Some of their portfolio companies are:

Liqid: Liqid is an IT company that provides comprehensive, software-defined composable infrastructure solutions and services. The company’s platform empowers users to manage and configure physical, bare-metal server systems in seconds. They have raised a total of $105M in a Series D round.

Forge: Forge is a workforce management software primarily pioneering talent sharing and flexible scheduling of hourly employees. Forge enables businesses to find and ask questions from candidates and provides background check services. 

Alterra Home Loans: Alterra Home Loans is a minority-owned, Nevada-based retail lender that provides mortgage loans and refinancing services to new and existing homeowners. The company offers products that include government, conventional, VA, and portfolio loans.

Invest Nebraska

Website: Home | Invest Nebraska

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech and Consumer Products

Investment Stage: Early 

Headquartered in Lincoln, Invest Nebraska is one of the biggest investment networks that funds startups in the state. The network was founded in the early 2000s and has funded around 150 startups already. Each year, Invest Nebraska invests $2M-$3M in ventures that have promised growth.

During the screening tests, Invest Nebraska looks for startups that have massive growth potential and just need some capital for a push. The startups must be based on strong ideas and shouldn't have a lot of market competition.

Aside from investments, Invest Nebraska also conducts and supports extra startup programs. Recently, they have supported "The Combine". It is a statewide initiative supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, and networking events.

The investment range of Invest Nebraska ranges from $100,000 to $300,000. Some of their portfolio companies are:

Alpaca: Alpaca is a developer-first embedded financial technologies platform that has raised over $100M in funding. They offer crypto and stock investing, real-time market data, and end-to-end brokerage infrastructure through modern APIs. They have raised a total of $86.8M4.

Benefitbay: Benefitbay is a developer of an end-to-end individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement administration platform. Benefitbay has raised a total of $6.3M in funding.

Birds Eye Robotics: Birds Eye Robotics develops a poultry robot that provides solutions to poultry farmers. Their autonomous robotic solution aims to bring cutting-edge technology together with farmer intuition. Birds Eye Robotics has raised a total of $3.6M.

McCarthy Capital

Website: McCarthy Capital – Growing businesses in partnership with management.

Investor Type: Private Equity Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Healthcare, Food, and Software

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

McCarthy Capital was founded by Michael (Mike) R. McCarthy in 1986. The firm has partnered with more than 70 private companies and has invested in a total of 69 companies. When funding startups, McCarthy Capital usually invests in common equity alongside management teams acting as minority investors.

They fund startups that have innovative ideas and benefit people through their products/services.

The investment range of McCarthy Capital isn't disclosed. Some of their portfolio companies are:

Navigate Wellbeing Solutions: Navigate is a provider of health- and wellbeing-focused, employee engagement Software-as-a-Service platform to corporate, municipal, and health system clients. 

Omaha Steaks: Omaha Steaks is an Omaha, Nebraska-based family-owned company. Omaha Steaks markets and distributes a wide variety of quality USDA-approved, grain-fed beef and other gourmet foods.

Medaxion: Medaxion is a provider of mobile perioperative software solutions that improve the performance of operating rooms by leveraging the anesthesia process.

Caraway: Caraway is a company that designs and sells ceramic-coated cookware.

First Capital Partners

Website: First Capital Partners - Junior Capital Investment Solutions - Omaha, NE & Chicago, IL

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Automotive, and Consumer Products

Investment Stage: Late

First Capital Partners was founded in 2006. The founder of the firm is David McLeese. They have invested in a total of 32 companies and are headquartered in Omaha.

Discussing their screening tests, First Capital Partners is a private equity firm that prefers to invest in innovative startups related to manufacturing, business and industrial services, value-added distribution, food, agriculture, and healthcare sectors. They frequently partner with other like-minded investors, including management teams, private equity funds, independent sponsors, mezzanine funds, family offices, and individual investors.

As for investment range, First Capital Partners is a junior capital investment firm that provides mezzanine debt and equity to companies with revenues of $10 to $100 million and EBITDA of $2 to $10 million. One of their famous investment is:

Mytee: Mytee is a company that manufactures and distributes cleaning vacuum equipment and accessories intended for the automotive, carpet cleaning, and facility maintenance industries.

Wrap-Up

Summing Up, even when there aren’t a lot of individual investors in Nebraska, you can still gather an investment by pitching to investors. Just ensure that you are preparing a good pitch deck and have gone through a practical checklist to pitch to angel investors.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions