Straight Shot

  • Hundreds gather for Straight Shot Demo Day in Omaha

    Hundreds gather for Straight Shot Demo Day in Omaha

    Nearly 350 people came together for the Straight Shot accelerator’s fourth annual Demo Day in Omaha Wednesday evening. The Holland Performing Arts Center foyer was packed as the crowd made its way to the auditorium to hear from eight teams from this year’s cohort. When asked about what’s been different about this year’s cohort, Managing Director…

  • Straight Shot announces 8 new startups for 2016

    Straight Shot announces 8 new startups for 2016

    Omaha startup accelerator Straight Shot has announced the eight teams that will be participating in this year’s program. The eight teams are: Gazella Wifi (Omaha) Lyconic (Omaha) MotoMetrix (Omaha) Mommy Assistant (Omaha) Omnipointment (Chicago) Revolve Fine Art (Omaha) Rodeo Analytics (Lincoln) Ulytic (Columbia, MO) A couple of the teams will be familiar to SPN readers. Serial entrepreneur Eric Burns of Gazella Wifi is also…

  • David Arnold on the future of Straight Shot

    David Arnold on the future of Straight Shot

    Straight Shot’s Managing Director shares his perspective on the future of Omaha’s first startup accelerator. David Arnold has something to be proud of at Straight Shot. To date, the Straight Shot accelerator has invested in 20 companies with $400,000 in seed investment. Of those companies that have gone on to fundraise, they have collectively raised $4.5 million. Clearly the program…

  • Hundreds from the Silicon Prairie gather to support Straight Shot Demo Day in Omaha

    Hundreds from the Silicon Prairie gather to support Straight Shot Demo Day in Omaha

    The event wasn’t about strictly-timed presentations or pitching to investors, it was about supporting the hard work behind ideas that have the power to affect our community. Aksarben Cinema was packed full of entrepreneurs, community builders, friends, family and local startup businesses Thursday night, all in support of the 2015 Straight Shot graduating class. The…

  • 10 questions with WorkHound’s Andrew Kirpalani and Max Farrell

    10 questions with WorkHound’s Andrew Kirpalani and Max Farrell

    WorkHound is a software platform attacking the alarming 97 percent turnover rate within the trucking industry. Using WorkHound, trucking companies can retain their drivers by improving driver experience. The mobile application enables truck drivers to share feedback—praise, problems and ideas—directly with carriers in real-time. That feedback is turned into actionable insights truck carriers can use to enact…

  • Straight Shot’s 2015 class brings together regional startup veterans

    Straight Shot’s 2015 class brings together regional startup veterans

    Omaha’s Straight Shot accelerator has accepted 7 new teams into its third class, one of which is a corporate innovation team. The seven teams are: BCD – Omaha – Developing software for more secure mobile payments; founders have worked for First National and ACI Worldwide Delta Insights – Omaha – Increasing conversions, ROI for online retailers; Hayneedle expats Marcus…

  • David Arnold on the Omaha Model for accelerators

    David Arnold on the Omaha Model for accelerators

    Top tier accelerators like Techstars and YCombinator have built brands based on high-quality results that have generated interest from startups and investors without the need for significant outreach or effort. Due to their success the nation has seen similar programs pop up in each state, and we’re now experiencing increased segmentation between those in rare…

  • What’s new at Straight Shot this year?

    What’s new at Straight Shot this year?

    The Omaha-based Straight Shot accelerator is now accepting applications for its third year program. David Arnold, Managing Director of Straight Shot, is excited about what’s new this summer. “I think we’re ready to take some big steps and do some innovative things with the types of companies we bring in as well as the accelerator…

  • The evolution of an accelerator: how Straight Shot is growing for year three

    The evolution of an accelerator: how Straight Shot is growing for year three

    About the author: David Arnold is managing director of Straight Shot, a 90-day accelerator that aims to help software as a service and e-commerce startups. The conclusion of the 90-day mentorship process for an accelerator like Straight Shot marks a shift not only for participating founders but also for those who are tasked with running…

  • Community support on display at Straight Shot acclerator’s demo day

    OMAHA—Mark Michuda needed a T-shirt with his Call on the Go logo on it. And he needed it in less than five days, just in time for the Straight Shot demo day Wednesday night. A seemingly minor task, yes, but a big one for an out-of-towner. He posted to the Startup Nebraska Facebook group on…