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 model itself,” said Arnold.
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In 2013 Straight Shot started as an attempt to prove that the traditional accelerator model could work in a city like Omaha. Two years later, Straight Shot has moved from initial validation to finding its niche in the wider market of accelerators and incubators.
“It’s really about looking at the landscape of accelerators and asking, ‘What makes us different? And what can make us different moving forward?,’” said Arnold. “Unless you’re the Techstars or the Y Combinators of the world, it’s important for programs like Straight Shot to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market.”
Bringing together ecommerce and logistics
In previous years Straight Shot has focused on ecommerce and SaaS companies. This year they will be adding logistics as an industry focus. Arnold defines logistics as transportation, distribution, and smart infrastructure. Omaha is home to many established leaders in logistics, including Union Pacific, Werner Enterprises, Valmont Industries, and Lindsay Corp.
“Even a company like ConAgra, they may create product, but they have to ship it across the world as well,” said Arnold. “So we have a ripe pool of mentors, strategic partners, and maybe investors, maybe acquirers if the situation is right.”
The relationship between logistics and ecommerce is natural one, according to Arnold.
“There’s a natural marriage between ecommerce and logistics, in the sense that however you sell a physical product you have to think about how that product gets to your end consumer. Amazon is arguably a logistics company.”
New intiatives with Creighton, Gallup
Straight Shot is also offering a new internship program in partnership with Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. Companies will receive a free intern during the program, while the interns will receive a paid internship through Straight Shot.
This year Straight Shot will also be partnering with Gallup to use Gallup’s new Entrepreneurial Profile 10 test (“EP10”) for screening founders. The EP10 test is an entrepreneurial version of Gallup’s StrengthsFinder test.
“Judging founders is inherently important for us,” said Arnold. “That’s tough to do because everyone puts their best foot forward in an interview. You have your gut reaction, but we wanted to get a little more objective with it.”
The EP10 test won’t be used exclusively for screening candidates. It will also help Straight Shot match founders with mentors and suggest advice for founders on future hiring.
Straight Shot is now accepting applications for the 2015 program. The application deadline is April 10.
