The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) has announced five recipients of the LaunchLNK program for 2021. LaunchLNK helps startups get established and grow in Lincoln by providing funding, resources and opportunities. 

Corral Technologies, Sub Guru, Oculi Data LLC, Job Share Connect and Iron Sun have been named as recipients of the LaunchLNK award. The LaunchLNK program provides startups with a $25,000 grant, connections to mentors and potential corporate partners and professional services from HBE, Cline Williams, Suiter Swantz, Eakes Office Solutions and Firespring.  

Startup companies that receive an award through the LaunchLNK program have the potential to leverage other Nebraska based programs and funds, such as the grant and investment programs offered through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Invest Nebraska. In addition to gaining outside sources of capital, the awarded startup companies will also participate in Fluent Studio's virtual accelerator program.

“We were very impressed by the strength of the applicant pool this year, which reflects all of the work being done to build the startup ecosystem across Lincoln,” according to Christina Oldfather, LPED Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “We are excited to work with this talented group of founders to help them grow their companies.”

Here are the five recipients:

Corral Technologies, founded by Jack Keating, uses hardware and software to create a virtual fencing system, allowing ranchers to move, track and record data on their cattle to increase pasture utilization, decrease rent costs and save them countless hours of backbreaking work. 

Sub Guru, co-founded by Sarah Rasby and Andra Rasby, is a customizable management app that automates the entire instructor substitution process for fitness studios, providing clients with a reliable solution and eliminating the need to find substitute instructors for classes.

Oculi Data, LLC, owned by Dr. Teresa Anderson, offers an easy-to-use web-based SaaS data portal for nurses and healthcare executives to compare clinical outcomes to other facilities to improve patient care and achieve the best of class nursing and clinical excellence.

Job Share Connect, co-founded by Jessica Charlsen and Jina Hwang Picarella, Ph.D., standardizes the job share sourcing, matching and on-boarding process for companies looking to recruit and retain top talent. This platform is the first of its kind in the United States.

Iron Sun, founded by Natalie Gunther, provides virtual assistants that can come alongside working moms to free up their time so they can invest that time in themselves, their family and their career. Iron Sun helps with meal planning, gift planning, calling and scheduling appointments and much more.

To stay up-to-date on announcements regarding LaunchLNK, including the next round of applications, follow @StartupLNK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More information on the program can be found at www.launchlnk.com.