Invest Nebraska builds a better future for the state of Nebraska by providing financial and operational assistance to high-growth companies, advancing the entrepreneurial economy, and attracting out-of-state capital to Nebraska.
Founding Sponsor of The Combine: When the Invest Nebraska team noticed a lack of agricultural technology startups being founded in Nebraska - the heartland of America - they founded The Combine to create support for Nebraska AgTech companies. Invest Nebraska leads the initiative with support from The Nebraska Department of Economic Development, as well as a variety of University and private sector partners from the food and agriculture sector.
Invest Nebraska is led by a team experienced at growing early-stage and lower-middle-market companies. We are committed to growing Nebraska’s economy by assisting entrepreneurs and investing capital in those companies that have growth potential. Collaboration with strategic partners, state government, communities, and post-secondary education institutions is important.
Invest Nebraska plays a critical role in the state-wide infrastructure of entrepreneurship and small business creation. The firm has been recognized by CB Insights as the most active venture investor in the state and in 2018 was recognized by Pitchbook as the second most active venture capital fund in the Mountain and Midwest Region.
The Nebraska Startup Ecosystem plays a critical role in the statewide economy and has seen significant growth in recent years. This is due in part to strong partnerships across the state from government, higher education, industry, and community leaders.
Invest Nebraska's History
Invest Nebraska was created due to the passage of the Nebraska Venture Capital Forum Act, introduced in 2001 on behalf of then Governor Mike Johanns and passed by the Nebraska Legislature. Our founders were collaborators – representing Nebraska’s private sector, the University of Nebraska, and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Leaders in their own right, they envisioned an organization that assisted Nebraska’s diverse entrepreneurs, collaborated with investors, and showed flexibility in growing the state’s economy. Early partners that accelerated the development of Invest Nebraska included the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development, and the Hormel Family Foundation. In 2010, Invest Nebraska authored a comprehensive report for the Nebraska Legislature’s Innovation and Entrepreneurial Task Force, which reviewed existing state programs, conducted ecosystem surveys, analyzed policies of other states, and made recommendations to improve Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Many of those recommendations were included in the Business Innovation Act, introduced in 2011 on behalf of Governor Dave Heineman and passed unanimously by the Legislature. The fall of 2012 saw Invest Nebraska make its first equity investment under the Business Innovation Act. Invest Nebraska continues to grow Nebraska’s economy by assisting entrepreneurs and investing capital in those companies that have high growth potential.
Supporting Nebraska Startups:
In addition to the activities previously mentioned, Invest Nebraska also mentors and supports other startup organizations in the state. To name a few:
Invest Nebraska plays a vital part in Nebraska's Startup Ecosystem. Thank you for your support of The Combine!
What is The Combine?
Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state. Invest Nebraska is a private, non-profit statewide venture development organization focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s entrepreneurial economy. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital.
Thank You To All Of The Combine's Generous Sponsors:
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