North Platte, Nebraska based tech company Ecomitize announced this month the expansion of their clientele and their number of employees after another successful round of fundraising.
The e-commerce solution company founders Chris Blakely and Jacob North are Nebraska natives who set out with the goal to create the most powerful, flexible, complete end-to-end merchant solution in the market. They are confident that they have achieved their goal and with this latest round of funding they have been able to expand their staff with 40 new hires in the last 12 months, and their client base has gone from roughly a dozen last year to 70 today.
“Without the latest round of funding, growth would not have been possible. We expect to add 100 clients over the next 12 months,” said Blakely.
Thanks to our sponsor
Of the $700,000 successfully raised, $350,000 was a matching investment made by Invest Nebraska, a private non-profit corporation focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s economy. With this investment along with a previous investment of $150,000 made to Ecomitize in 2014, Invest Nebraska has reached their total contribution legal limit for a single company – $500,000.
“Invest Nebraska’s involvement is invaluable to our operation. They not only have provided matching capital, but their knowledge, experience and connections in our sector is extensive. They are a strategic partner for us,” said Blakely.
The founders have received significant support from local and state resources.
“We chose Nebraska because I live here,” said Blakely. “And we have extensive connections and support here. Not only from Invest Nebraska, but the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, North Plattes local economic development funds and support, and Nebraska’s Angel Investment Tax Credit Program.
The business community has also been key to their success in a rural area of the state.
“Our newest board member is also Paul Eurek who has an IT company and Residence in central Nebraska. On top of that we have great Legal and CPA support already in place here along with a strong relationship with Nebraskland National Bank,” said Blakely.
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Jake Hull is the Lincoln Editor for Silicon Prairie News and a Community Builder for AIM in Lincoln, Nebraska.
