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BasicBlock secures $675k investment
BasicBlock, a Lincoln-based startup that facilitates transactions in the trucking industry, announced Monday that it had secured $675k in pre-seed financing from Global Financial Group (“GFG”). GFG was joined in the financing by Jason Calacanis, Jenny Fielding, Invest Nebraska, and other angels. In May, Silicon Prairie News reported that BasicBlock had received outside funding (https://spnewsnjt.wpengine.com/2019/05/lincoln-based-basicblock-continues-expansion-and-evolution/). …
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FanFood announces partnership with Samsung
Last week, SPN had the chance to speak with Carson Goodale, founder, and CEO of FanFood. FanFood was originally formed in Iowa but the company has since moved to Chicago to pursue their business. FanFood is a mobile ordering and concessions management platform designed to improve the fan experience while streamlining the concessions management and…
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Opportunity Hub (OHUB) is breaking down barriers for starting high growth businesses
On Friday, August 16th, the Opportunity Hub in Kansas City will be welcoming Keisha Knight Pulliam and Arian Simone (Fearless Fund), Brian Brackeen (Lightship Capital), and Candice Matthews Brackeen (NewMe and Hillman Accelerator) to Belger Crane Yard Studios at 6pm. This event is part of a series of events that takes place on the 3rd…
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Fourstarzz Media: fueling the growth of influencer marketing
Over the past 50 years, business marketing strategies have changed substantially. But there has always been one constant – the power of word-of-mouth marketing. People talking to people has always been one of the most impactful marketing methods. The rise in social media personalities has hence sparked the interest of many businesses. Now marketers can…
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Acorn Growth expands portfolio with acquisition of Black Sage Technologies
An Oklahoma based private equity firm, Acorn Growth, acquired Black Sage Technologies, based in Boise, Idaho. The acquisition out of the company’s third fund represents a continuance of the strategy to invest in aerospace, defense, and intelligence companies. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, Acorn Growth did file paperwork with the SEC…
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BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation – enticing graduates and companies to stay native to the state of Wisconsin
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, or “BrightStar”, celebrated their sixth anniversary in July of this year. The organization has come quite far since its founding. So, what do they do? BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation is an entity looking to fill the early-stage funding void by providing charitable foundations, corporations, and wealthy individuals with a vehicle to help fund…
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Benson Hill Biosystems continues strong fundraising efforts
In early August 2019, Benson Hill Biosystems filed documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the firm had raised $32 million in incremental funds. This fundraising filing follows a November filing of a $65 million raise, including regional funds – Mercury Fund, iSelect Ventures, and Lewis & Clark Ventures. The company provides a variety…
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Nebraska’s homespun mini surgical robot company inspires support
Virtual Incision Corporation (VIC), founded on the collaborative efforts of two professors in the University of Nebraska ecosystem, has once again secured additional funding for its in vivo surgical robotics platform. On July 3, the company closed $1M in debt financing from Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based investment firms Bluestem Capital Company and Prairie Gold Venture…
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First fundings research report
In talking to Jessica Straus, Dundee Venture Capital’s new Venture Partner, it occurred to me that we should write an update on first fundings in what Straus called the “mighty middle”. This paper describes first fundings. First fundings are a recordation of companies that raise capital for the first time. This paper uses Pitchbook data…
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Player’s Health striving to create the safest environment possible for athletes
Many of us can relate to reminiscing over our “glory days” on the field. Today, there are over 46.5 million children (aged six to 17) participating in youth sports who are creating memories of their own. This week, I had the chance to interview a former professional athlete-turned-entrepreneur who is striving to level the playing…