The U.S. Small Business Administration with help from President Obama announced the 80 winners of the second annual Growth Accelerator Fund Competition on August 4th. The recipients represent 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Applications were judged by more than 40 experts with entrepreneurial, investment, startup, economic development, capital formation and academic backgrounds from both the public and private sector. The first panel of judges reviewed over 400 applications and presentations and established a pool of 180 highly qualified finalists. The second panel evaluated the finalists’ presentations and pitch videos they prepared and selected the 80 winners.
Year of the Startup, the Omaha based startup house program, offers mentorship and shared housing to founders of early stage startups. After a successful first year, the pre-accelerator program has expanded to a second location in Little Italy and is piloting a startup house program for nonprofit founders in its midtown location.
Sabastian Hunt, CEO of the Omaha Startup House mentioned in an interview with Silicon Prairie News that the startup house program plans to put the prize money towards the development of their Omaha Startup Village concept.
For more information about the organization or to apply, please visit www.yearofthestartup.com.