14 investors backing Omaha startups in 2026

Omaha's startup funding saw a 40% increase over the past three years. CompanyCam just became Nebraska's first unicorn at $2B valuation in 2025. The ecosystem is centered around insurance, agriculture, and fintech. You'll compete with fewer startups here than on the coasts but you'll also find smaller check sizes.

Quick list

Why Omaha for fundraising

Omaha sits at the intersection of agriculture, insurance, and technology. Mutual of Omaha and Berkshire Hathaway anchor the insurance sector. TD Ameritrade was built here. The city's 40% increase in VC activity over three years is real but don't mistake it for Silicon Valley.

Nebraska's Business Innovation Act provides $15M in annual seed capital. CompanyCam's $2B valuation proved Nebraska startups can scale. But that's the exception. Most Omaha exits are acquisitions, not IPOs. Lincoln-based CompanyCam raised early funding from Invest Nebraska before bringing in coastal VCs.

Average seed round is $100K-$500K in Omaha. Series A runs $1M-$3M. That's significantly lower than coastal markets but your burn rate will be 60% lower too. Omaha investors expect profitability faster than SF or NYC investors do.

The ecosystem is relationship-driven. Nebraska Angels meet monthly. Invest Nebraska leads most seed rounds. Nelnet Ventures brings corporate resources. If you're in agtech, fintech, or insurtech, Omaha has domain expertise coastal VCs don't. For consumer apps or enterprise SaaS, you'll struggle. If you're operating as a mission-driven organization, explore options built with nonprofits in mind.

Picking the right Omaha investor

Local presence: Being in Nebraska matters here. Invest Nebraska and Maverick Venture Fund only invest in Nebraska startups. MOVE Venture Capital focuses on Nebraska and Midwest. Remote-only founders will struggle except with national funds that happen to have Omaha portfolios.

Sector alignment: Agtech gets funded fastest. Grit Road Partners focuses exclusively on agriculture innovation. Fintech works well with Nelnet Ventures and TD Ameritrade alumni investors. Insurtech finds capital from Mutual of Omaha ecosystem. B2B SaaS can raise here but consumer apps rarely do.

Check sizes: Pre-seed is $25K-$100K through Maverick Venture Fund or Nebraska Angels. Seed runs $100K-$500K from Invest Nebraska or MOVE VC. Series A is $1M-$3M from PGSA Venture Capital or Panorama Point Partners. For $5M+ rounds, you'll need to bring in coastal investors.

Network access: Nelnet Ventures connects you to education and renewable energy contacts. Nebraska Angels provide 100+ accredited investor network. Invest Nebraska links you to state resources and accelerators. PGSA has deep Omaha real estate and development connections through Millwork Commons.

Communication: Upload your deck to Ellty and send trackable links. Omaha investors typically respond within a week. Use this to gauge interest before in-person meetings. Most local investors want to see slide engagement before committing to coffee.

Follow-on capacity: Most Omaha funds can't lead beyond Series A. M-One Capital has the largest check sizes at $30M-$125M but they're private equity, not VC. Plan to raise Series B and beyond from Chicago, Denver, or coastal markets. Keep sensitive materials under wraps with simple but effective password protection.

How to find and approach Omaha investors

Research local activity: Check Silicon Prairie News for recent Nebraska deals. Open Range runs Techstars Founder Catalyst Program in Omaha. NMotion accelerator gives $100K to selected startups. The Combine in Lincoln focuses on agtech startups.

Join the ecosystem: Millwork Commons is Omaha's startup hub. 1 Million Cups happens weekly in both Omaha and Lincoln. Nebraska Angels host Startup Shop Talk events monthly. Open Range connects founders to resources and programming.

Leverage accelerators: NMotion has backed 6 startups with $100K investments. The Combine helped 53 companies raise $30M and secured $15.7M in grants for agtech. Techstars Founder Catalyst Program selected 10 Nebraska startups in fall 2025.

Share your deck: Create an Ellty account and send unique tracking links to each Omaha investor. You'll see exactly which investors spend time on your financials vs your team slides. Nebraska investors focus heavily on business model and path to profitability.

Attend key events: Techstars Global Demo Day features selected Nebraska founders. Hack Omaha brings developers and investors together. Nebraska Angels monthly pitch meetings review new opportunities. Greater Omaha Chamber events connect startups to corporate partners.

Connect with portfolio companies: CompanyCam founders can tell you how they went from Invest Nebraska to unicorn status. Hudl scaled with Nelnet backing. UpWell raised $6.5M in 2025 with Invest Nebraska participation. Ask portfolio founders which investors actually help beyond capital.

Set up data rooms: Use Ellty to organize your cap table, financial projections, and Nebraska incorporation docs. Omaha investors expect organized data rooms for due diligence. Most deals include Nebraska Angels members who conduct thorough diligence.

Understand local timing: Omaha moves slower than coastal markets. First meeting to term sheet takes 90-120 days. Nebraska Angels meet monthly so if you miss a meeting, you wait 30 days for the next pitch opportunity. Factor this into your runway planning.

Omaha-specific considerations

Omaha strongly prefers capital-efficient businesses. The CompanyCam playbook is build profitably, scale with local capital, then bring in growth investors. Burning $500K/month won't fly here. Most successful Nebraska startups stay under $200K/month burn.

Agriculture tech gets special treatment. Nebraska is the #3 ag producing state. The Combine accelerator has helped 53 agtech companies raise capital. Investors here understand commodity cycles, farming economics, and agricultural distribution better than anywhere except maybe Iowa.

Insurance tech finds strategic investors. Mutual of Omaha, TD Ameritrade (now Schwab), and dozens of insurance companies are headquartered here. They understand regulatory compliance, distribution channels, and customer acquisition in ways SF investors don't.

Nebraska's Business Innovation Act provides state-backed seed capital. This program created 1,100 jobs at $67K average wage. Governor Pillen just restored it to $15M annually in December 2025. This money flows through Invest Nebraska and other partners.

14 top investors in Omaha

1. Invest Nebraska

Nebraska's statewide venture development firm leading most early-stage rounds since 2002.

• Recent Deals: Nestimate (September 2025), UpWell $6.5M (February 2025), DARO $1.1M (March 2025), Nave Analytics $400K (June 2024)
• LinkedIn: Invest Nebraska Team
• Sector Focus: IoT, Medical Devices, Fintech, Cloud Services, Food Tech, Agritech, Healthcare Software, Robotics
• Stage Focus: Seed, Early-Stage, Growth Stage
• Office Location: Lincoln, NE
• Website: investnebraska.com

2. Nelnet Ventures

One of Nebraska's largest early-stage investors with 148 portfolio companies and corporate backing.

• Recent Deals: Hudl (long-term backer), ALLO (since 2015), Legacy Farmer (December 2023), 100+ investments in fintech, edtech, cleantech
• LinkedIn: Chuck Norris, Managing Director | Brian Ardinger, Director of Innovation
• Sector Focus: Fintech, EdTech, Future of Work, Renewable Energy, Climate Tech, AgTech
• Stage Focus: Angel to Growth ($100K-$250K typical, can go larger)
• Office Location: Lincoln, NE (Nelnet headquarters)
• Website: nelnetinc.com/capabilities/investing/venture-capital-investments

3. Nebraska Angels

Member-led angel network with 100+ accredited investors and $100M portfolio value.

• Recent Deals: DARO $1.1M seed (January 2025), Nestimate (September 2025), Nave Analytics $400K (June 2024), 51 total investments
• LinkedIn: Nebraska Angels
• Sector Focus: High-Growth Technology, Enterprise, Consumer, Various
• Stage Focus: Angel, Seed
• Office Location: Lincoln, NE (invests across Nebraska)
• Website: nebraskaangels.org

4. MOVE Venture Capital

Pre-seed and seed fund launched with 16 portfolio companies in year one, Nebraska-focused.

• Recent Deals: 16 portfolio companies in 2023 across capital-efficient software and technology, DARO $1.1M (March 2025)
• LinkedIn: MOVE Venture Capital
• Sector Focus: Capital-Efficient Software and Technology, Vertical Agnostic
• Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
• Office Location: Lincoln, NE
• Website: moveventurecapital.com

5. PGSA Venture Capital

Formerly Black Dog Ventures, manages $500M+ assets focused on early-stage Midwest founders.

• Recent Deals: Nestimate, Elevator, Alpaca, Grain Weevil, 20+ active Nebraska portfolio companies
• LinkedIn: TJ Andreason, Associate
• Sector Focus: Technology, Various Midwest Industries
• Stage Focus: Early-Stage
• Office Location: Omaha, NE (Millwork Commons)
• Website: pgsa.com

6. M-One Capital

Formerly McCarthy Capital, middle-market private equity with $30M-$125M check sizes for established businesses.

• Recent Deals: Workshop (Omaha internal communications software), 80+ private companies since 1986
• LinkedIn: M-One Capital
• Sector Focus: Various Industries, Prefer Established Business Models
• Stage Focus: Growth, Private Equity ($30M-$125M investments)
• Office Location: Omaha, NE (founded 1986)
• Website: m-onecapital.com

7. Panorama Point Partners

Growth-stage investor in health, business, and finance tech with strong ESG focus.

• Recent Deals: Liqid, Coupang, Robur Group, Forge - focuses on companies with strong ESG impacts
• LinkedIn: Panorama Point Partners
• Sector Focus: Health Technologies, Business Technologies, Finance Technologies, ESG-focused
• Stage Focus: Growth
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: panoramapointpartners.com

8. Mutual of Omaha

Omaha-headquartered insurance giant providing corporate venture backing in insurtech and fintech.

• Recent Deals: Corporate venture investments in insurance and financial technology sectors
• LinkedIn: Mutual of Omaha
• Sector Focus: Insurtech, Fintech, Healthcare Technology
• Stage Focus: Various
• Office Location: Omaha, NE (headquarters)
• Website: mutualofomaha.com

9. First Capital Partners

Omaha family office with 32 portfolio companies, prefers proven business models.

• Recent Deals: 32 portfolio companies across various sectors, founded 2006
• LinkedIn: First Capital Partners
• Sector Focus: Various Established Industries
• Stage Focus: Growth, Established Companies
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: Contact via local network

10. Everest Group

Family office managing $1B+ across technology, healthcare, cannabis, and private equity.

• Recent Deals: Diversified approach across technology, healthcare, and cannabis sectors with large addressable markets
• LinkedIn: Everest Group
• Sector Focus: Technology, Healthcare, Cannabis, Various
• Stage Focus: Growth, Private Equity
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: Contact via local network

11. Beckway Ventures

Invests in stable, non-flashy businesses targeting lower middle market exits in 3-4 years.

• Recent Deals: Focuses on "boring" proven industries with stable track records, avoids technology
• LinkedIn: Beckway Ventures
• Sector Focus: Established "Boring" Industries (not technology)
• Stage Focus: Stable Companies, Lower Middle Market Exits
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: beckwaygroup.com

12. 31st Street Capital

Family office seeking long-term partnerships, primarily invested in flooring companies to date.

• Recent Deals: Multiple flooring company investments, expanding to other sectors
• LinkedIn: 31st Street Capital
• Sector Focus: Flooring Companies (historical), Expanding to Other Sectors
• Stage Focus: Long-Term Partnership Focus
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: Contact via local network

13. Grit Road Partners

Agtech VC providing entrepreneurs platform for innovation, recently launched second fund.

• Recent Deals: Portfolio of agriculture technology companies across grain, farm management, and ag innovation
• LinkedIn: Grit Road Partners
• Sector Focus: Agriculture Technology, AgTech Innovation
• Stage Focus: Seed to Growth
• Office Location: Omaha, NE
• Website: gritroadpartners.com

14. Maverick Venture Fund

UNO student-run fund deploying up to $25K to Nebraska startups, 9 investments totaling $145K.

• Recent Deals: 9 local startups with focus on UNO students and alumni companies
• LinkedIn: Maverick Venture Fund - UNO
• Sector Focus: Various (student and alumni ventures)
• Stage Focus: Seed ($25K max per investment)
• Office Location: University of Nebraska Omaha
• Website: unomaha.edu/maverick-venture-fund

Start tracking your Omaha investor outreach

These 14 investors closed Omaha and Nebraska deals in 2025-2026. Before reaching out to local funds, get your tracking in order.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create unique links for each Omaha investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your business model. Omaha investors typically focus on unit economics and profitability path more than growth metrics.

When investors ask for more materials, share an Ellty data room instead of email attachments. Your financial model, cap table, and customer contracts organized in one place with view analytics.

Common questions

Do I need to be based in Omaha to raise from Omaha investors?

Most Nebraska investors strongly prefer local companies. Invest Nebraska and Maverick Venture Fund only invest in Nebraska startups. MOVE Venture Capital focuses on Nebraska and Midwest. Nebraska Angels will consider out-of-state but you'll need strong local connections. National funds like M-One Capital and Panorama Point Partners invest beyond Nebraska but still prefer Midwest companies.

How does Omaha compare to other Midwest markets for fundraising?

Omaha has less capital than Chicago or Minneapolis but more domain expertise in insurance, agriculture, and fintech. Average seed is $100K-$500K vs $500K-$2M in Chicago. CompanyCam proved you can build a unicorn here. For agtech specifically, Omaha is top-tier. For general B2B SaaS, Chicago has more capital.

What's the average seed round size in Omaha?

$100K-$500K for seed, $1M-$3M for Series A. Pre-seed can be $25K-$100K through Maverick Venture Fund or Nebraska Angels. These numbers are 50-70% lower than coastal markets but your operating costs will be proportionally lower. Most Omaha investors want clear path to profitability before Series A.

Should I raise locally or go straight to coastal VCs?

If you're in agtech, insurtech, or fintech, start local. Omaha investors understand these markets better than SF or NYC. CompanyCam raised early rounds locally before bringing in coastal growth investors. For consumer apps or hardware, you'll probably need coastal capital from the start. Most successful Nebraska startups do local seed, then coastal Series A.

Do Omaha investors expect in-person meetings?

Yes. Plan for at least 2-3 in-person meetings before term sheets. Nebraska Angels meet monthly in person. Invest Nebraska and MOVE VC want to see you engage with the local community. Video calls work for initial screening but don't expect to close without visiting Omaha or Lincoln.

What industries get funded most in Omaha?

Agriculture technology dominates. Insurance tech gets strategic backing from Mutual of Omaha and related investors. Fintech works well due to TD Ameritrade legacy and financial services concentration. B2B SaaS with clear unit economics can raise here. Consumer apps, hardware, and biotech struggle unless you have exceptional traction.

How long does it take to close a round in Omaha?

90-120 days from first meeting to term sheet. Nebraska Angels meet monthly so missing a meeting adds 30 days. Due diligence takes 30-45 days after term sheet. Total timeline is 4-6 months if you're organized. That's slower than SF but faster than traditional East Coast markets. Have 6+ months runway before starting.