Omaha, Nebraska – The Nebraska Startup Academy is thrilled to announce the launch of The Grove at Millwork Commons, a revolutionary incubator and coworking space dedicated exclusively to startups. Positioned to become a cornerstone of the Omaha and Nebraska entrepreneurial ecosystem, The Grove aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and economic growth by providing a free, state-of-the-art workspace and comprehensive support for early-stage founders.
Who is The Grove For?
The Grove is designed for early-stage startup founders, with an initial focus on local entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. Selected founders gain access to a free, modern workspace where they can develop and scale their products amongst peers. Charlie Cuddy, the Executive Director of the Nebraska Startup Academy points out one of the most important needs for a place like The Grove, "it can be extremely lonely building a startup, with long hours and few people understanding the stress or motivation behind it. However, having a community of founders who are going through similar experiences can be vital to the well-being and success of a startup. The Grove provides an essential space for connection and collaboration, fostering both personal and professional growth for entrepreneurs. We are so excited about this initial group of founders who are going to be building with us."
The inaugural cohort consists of eight promising startups, with 20+ additional startups qualified and on the waitlist. You can learn more about these initial startups below.
Meet the Initial Cohort:
EngageVision is an AI-powered analytics system quantifying what happens inside a physical space by leveraging existing cameras and computer vision.
Savii makes it simple to migrate to an ICHRA and provide scalable administration to organizations of any size.
Omedus is a medical device for multiple injury events that checks vitals without the need for a device and prioritizes need for support instantly.
VisionSync is an innovative cloud-based software solution meticulously designed to empower organizations in architecting, refining, and executing strategic plans with unparalleled efficiency and precision.
Moneiva works to eliminate payment waste from the supply chain with an innovative tracking system.
BuildMas provides a comprehensive project management solution for the construction industry, streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration for spanish speakers.
GolfTrotter is an app that connects golf enthusiasts with courses worldwide, offering seamless booking and personalized golfing experiences.
SheMate is a platform designed to connect female athletes with mentors and resources to support their athletic and personal development
What Will Happen at The Grove?
The Grove offers more than just a workspace. It is an innovative incubator that combines a comprehensive curriculum with a robust portfolio approach to support startups across various industries. The curriculum covers essential topics such as lean startup methodology, business model generation, product-market fit, scaling operations, deep technical support, and financial planning. Additionally, startups benefit from practical workshops, mentor-led sessions, and office hours that meet the startups where they’re at with industry experts to support them on their journey. "As a technical founder, my passion lies in developing technology. However, The Grove provides the invaluable benefit of being around others who can help me navigate the areas of my startup I'm less familiar with. Often, I don't know what I don't know, but the community and asynchronous curriculum here let me access the information and support I need, exactly when I need it." said Luis Merino, founder of Engage Vision.
As a community hub, The Grove connects founders, investors, corporate executives, and mentors, promoting a high density of ideas and innovation. The program includes dynamic workshops, info sessions, networking events, innovation challenges, and pitch opportunities.
Why the Omaha, Nebraska Ecosystem Should Care
The Grove is poised to make a significant impact on workforce development and new company creation in the region. By training and developing skilled entrepreneurs, The Grove contributes to local economic growth and job creation. The hands-on experience and mentorship provided equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead successful ventures. Most importantly, it gets entrepreneurs in the same room, building solutions together.
Furthermore, The Grove strengthens the local startup scene by encouraging collaboration and innovation across different industries. Its inclusive approach ensures that underrepresented founders have the opportunity to thrive, enriching the entrepreneurial community. “The density of ideas and innovation is paramount to any emerging ecosystem” stated John Grange, co-founder of the Nebraska Startup Academy, “we’re really excited to see what evolves from the space in the months and years ahead.”
The Grove at Millwork Commons represents a vital addition to the Omaha, Nebraska entrepreneurial landscape with plans to establish additional hubs across Omaha, the state, and ultimately the region in the future. By offering a free, supportive environment for startups, it fosters innovation, collaboration, and growth. The Grove’s impact on workforce development and new company creation underscores its importance as a catalyst for economic development and innovation in the region for years to come.
Get Involved
If you are a founder interested in joining the Startup Academy platform, or future Grove cohorts, you can sign up at go.nestartupacademy.org.
If you are interested in supporting The Nebraska Startup Academy, a 501(c)3 organization, through sponsorship or donation please reach out to Charlie Cuddy [charlie@nestartupacademy.org] or Alyssa Cave [alyssa@nestartupacademy.org] for more information.
For more information about The Nebraska Startup Academy, please visit Nebraska Startup Academy.