With the aim of strengthening local entrepreneurship, Startup Omaha Week has captured the interest of 24 dynamic Omaha startups, each competing for an impressive $25,000 cash award. This thrilling endeavor, organized through a collaborative effort between the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the law firm Husch Blackwell, is not only cultivating innovation but also actively supporting the growth of Nebraska’s native talent.
The participating businesses span a wide spectrum, ranging from cutting-edge tech startups and innovative apps to stylish apparel and retail ventures. However, their shared vision is clear and it is simply to channel the awarded funds back into the local economy.
Among the hopeful entrepreneurs, Andrew Prystai really wants his app Vesta to win. Vesta makes it easy to find events in Omaha. You can save events you want to go to by swiping right or say you are not interested by swiping left. Andrew’s goal is to make finding events in Omaha super personal and easy for everyone.
Marissa Whalen, another entrepreneur in the race, aims to win funding for her women’s activewear brands named Little Movements Apparel and Core Movements. Her most recent innovation tackles a common problem for women who wear activewear. She has understood how to keep track of removable cups in sports bras. Remarkably, her collection of 88 sports bras flew off the shelves in a mere 22 seconds in 2022. If she emerges as the winner, she intends to give back to the Omaha community by teaming up with local women to produce the next set of 250 bras and matching leggings.
Laurel Oetken, a key organizer of Startup Omaha Week, boasts significant experience with startups. As the executive director of Tech Nebraska, she understands the profound impact that $25,000 can have.
