Husker Venture Fund

Huge thanks to ?? Luke Templin for his help with our first ever Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition! We couldn’t have done it without him and FinDaily!

Husker Venture Fund has 15 portfolio companies all of which are doing great things! Here is a small snapshot of what some of them are up to! Quantum Qool, a laser-based thermal cooling technology developer, was accepted into the NVIDIA Inception program that accelerates growth in startups by offering access to greater connections and resources. Fast Forward which offers an automated power line thermal inspection solution for utilities companies, has recently welcomed Hudl co-founder John Wirtz to its board of directors. Additionally, Fast Forward was highlighted in the 2025 Nebraska Department of Economic Development update on the Business Innovation Act and its effects. https://lnkd.in/g_G6PSdA Nave Analytics, Inc. an irrigation allocation software, was selected as 1 of 10 out of 10,000 startups globally to win the NASA Space Apps Challenge: 2024 Galactic Impact, so make sure to be on the lookout for their winning innovation NavePlant which will be available for this upcoming 2025 growing season!

The Husker Venture Fund?student organization organized and led its first Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition, in which five teams from Midwestern universities competed in evaluating real startups and making mock investment decisions judged by industry professionals. Read the story: https://lnkd.in/g9XFsxyQ

Today Husker Venture Fund hosted our very first Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition! CVCC is a case competition that gives college students across the Midwest the chance to take on the role of a VC firm and get a better understanding of what the venture investing process looks like. The day began with a pitch from three Nebraska start-ups: OMEDUS, FinDaily, and Pairr, who introduced themselves, their product, and the visions for their companies. Then, the teams moved into founder interviews where they had the chance to ask one on one questions and dig deeper into the prospective investments. Finally, the competitors prepared term sheets and presented their findings in "partner meetings" to our judges. This years competition was quite close with incredibly talented participants and truly passionate students. Please join HVF in congratulating the winner of the first ever CVCC, Warrior Ventures! Additionally, a big round of applause to University Venture Fund Crossroads for being awarded both second place and the Entrepreneur's Choice award! Finally, one huge thanks to everyone involved in putting this competition together! We couldn't have done it without you. Your support of the next generation of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists is truly inspiring! Startups and Founders OMEDUS (Jessica Queen), FinDaily (?? Luke Templin), and Pairr (Ayan Hussain) Judges Colby Marsden, Samuel DeZube, Aaliyah Aramjoo, Mary Blaney, CPA, Erica Wassinger, Kathy I. Andersen, Ben Hohensee, Brian Ardinger, Manny Quevedo, and TJ Andreasen

Love the student leadership at the Husker Venture Fund so glad to see this Venture Capital Competition getting off the ground!! Today teams from around the Midwest are competing in our very own Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition led by Husker Venture Fund! These competitors are taking on the roles of Midwestern VCs to examine, perform due diligence, and invest in one of three Nebraska based ventures! Shout out to the students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Creighton University, Wayne State University, The University of Kansas, and Nebraska Wesleyan University So humbled to be an adviser to this brilliant group of students leading in Nebraska—the future is bright!

"To pursue our mission of providing a distinguished hands-on investment experience, UNL students will be able to foster relationships in the startup community, engage with Nebraska and Midwest entrepreneurial opportunities, and fund home-grown innovative ideas and solutions." Thanks to all the generous donors in years past, Husker Venture Fund has been able to fulfill our mission time and time again! We've managed to continually build relevant VC experience for our associates, create invaluable networking opportunities with advisors and VC experts, and connect our members with life long careers in VC. Even more than that, HVF has distributed $355K in capital since our creation in 2021, aiding Nebraskan entrepreneurs in making their first steps toward unlocking grants and additional funding on their road to success! Our pitch to you is that you would continue to support us as we continue to accomplish our mission! Every year GBR is such a big help in funding events and competitions including VC Office Hours, Discover Entrepreneurship Day, VCIC, club fairs, fund outings, and more! As we get closer to our very own Cornhusker Venture Case Competition we have need of your investment now more than ever! So please help us in our mission as we create the next generation of Nebraskan entrepreneurs and venture capitalists using the link below! https://linktr.ee/huskervf

"We haven't had a pole fire in 3 years since using Fast Forward," said utility superintendent. #wildfireprevention Since 2022, many utilities have seen a substantial drop in utility related wildfires threats as a result of using Fast Forward's automated patrol technology. Image credits: Fast Forward, Spectrum News1 & Hindustan Times #wildfire #gridmanagement #utilitymanagement #gridmodernization #gridresilience #gridreliability #AI #electricutilities #utilties #utilityindustry #GIS #GISData #electricgrid #lineman #electriccooperative #Mapping #AssetManagement #powerlines #thermography

We are incredibly excited to announce the release of our Fall 2024 Semester Report! From three new investments to thirteen new associates, HVF is proud to have made an impact in both the Nebraska ecosystem and the lives of its members. See how HVF fostered innovation throughout the semester using the link below. Check it out here: linktr.ee/huskervf

Help us keep the momentum going with the Husker Venture Fund fundraiser! Your donation makes it possible for us to offer impactful initiatives such as Discover Entrepreneurship Day and the upcoming Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition and prepare students for experiences in venture capital! Read testimonials from current students Karyssa Johnson and Owen Crone, as well as alumnus James Whebbe, to see how the Husker Venture Fund is shaping their professional and academic endeavors. If you haven’t joined us yet, there’s still time to make an impact! Donate today: https://lnkd.in/gdustPNd?

Help us empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors! The Husker Venture Fund has played a key role in the Nebraska venture capital ecosystem by promoting education through HVF Office Hours and Discover Entrepreneurship Day, as well as our upcoming Cornhusker Venture Capital Competition in February. Your donation supports venture capital education and fund operating expenses for students at the University of Nebraska and helps us prepare them for this industry. Thank you for supporting our future at UNL and the surrounding ecosystem. Donate today to make an impact: https://lnkd.in/gdustPNd