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Financial Assistance Services

Invest Nebraska Corporation 
Invest Nebraska is a venture development organization that advises and invests in companies and early stage business ideas in Nebraska. Invest Nebraska supports and encourages angel investment and entrepreneurship in all areas of Nebraska, and provides networking opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and service providers from all corners of the state.

Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA works with banks in Lincoln to offer loan programs for new and existing businesses.

Also, see the SBA Small Business Planner.

Community Development Resources
Community Development Resources seeks to create economic opportunity and strong communities by providing capital and technical assistance to: develop and fortify small businesses; and promote community development. Businesses can use CDR’s loan capital for the purchase of real estate, equipment, inventory, furniture & fixtures and working capital.

NEDCO 
The Nebraska Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) is a non-profit corporation promoting economic development and job creation throughout Nebraska. Businesses can partner with NEDCO and their bank to obtain a loan to buy a building and/or machinery through the SBA 504 Loan Program. Loans are long-term and provide a low, fixed interest rate.

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
The federal SBIR/STTR program is a two phase grant program for businesses performing research and development of a new, technology-based product. Grants are provided through eleven federal agencies having the largest research and development budgets and are awarded to projects meeting the missions of these agencies.

Nebraska Angles, Inc. 
The Nebraska Angels is an independent network of individual angel investors who invest in high risk, early stage ventures and in return take partial ownership of company. Most angels are active investors who contribute their time and experience, as well as offer introductions to valuable contacts essential to the company's success. For the risk and added value they provide, angels seek returns of at least ten times their investment.

Nebraska Global                                                                                                                                      
Nebraska Global is a venture capital fund investing in viable long-term software companies who seek to build an influential technology business environment in Nebraska. Investors behind the program represent a cross-section of industries and expertise, and desire to nourish economic gardening in the state of Nebraska by investing in local people and long-term growth. Nebraska Global devotes its finances to software companies with clear differentiation and real-world demand.  

Leap Ventures
Leap Ventures is a program for startups that provides seed funding and mentoring for new technology businesses. Seed funding comprises of up to $20,000 in capital and a healthy amount of Relational Funding. This program focuses on early stage technology companies and generally avoids service businesses, consulting companies and lifestyle businesses. Leap Ventures receives a small common stock equity stake in your company under founder-friendly terms.