GROW Nebraska

What GROW Nebraska does

GROW Nebraska Foundation Inc. is a 501c3 educational nonprofit organization headquartered in Kearney, Nebraska, founded in 1998 (originating as the Central Plains Foundation in 1992) and led by Founder & CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke since 1995. The organization's stated mission is to help Nebraska small business owners and entrepreneurs access business training, technical assistance, marketing support, and market access. It serves over 400 member businesses and provides training to more than 850 businesses annually, with cumulative impact of $7M+ in product sales generated and 1,500+ full-time jobs created or retained.

The core operating model is a two-tier membership program: Service Membership at $200/year and Product Membership at $350/year, supplemented by donations, federal/state grants, and Diamond-tier institutional partnerships (SBA, Sherwood Foundation, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Center for Rural Affairs). Members receive SEO-friendly web pages, one-on-one training, social media support, networking, micro-loans (Flex Loans up to $2,500), and — for Product Members — retail placement via the Buy Nebraska brick-and-mortar store in Kearney and online marketplace presence. The product/service portfolio includes the Buy Nebraska retail store, BuyNebraska.com, GROW with Google Training (via Google Premier Partner status), the annual MarkeTech Conference, the GROW Nebraska Women's Business Center (GNWBC), the Nebraska Wholesale platform, the UPC program (Mark It to Market), Nebraska State Fair booth operations, and a custom gift box program.

Distribution spans the Buy Nebraska physical store, Nebraska State Fair (300,000+ attendees over 11 days), and a broad online footprint including BuyNebraska.com plus Amazon, eBay, Target, Walmart, Etsy, and TikTok storefronts. The organization operates three physical locations (Kearney corporate offices, Kearney retail store on Younes Campus, Omaha GNWBC office) and maintains an active social/email/content marketing engine. Revenue mechanics are diversified across recurring membership dues, consignment product sales through owned and third-party marketplaces, grant funding, training/event fees, and Flex Loan program fees.

Name

GROW Nebraska

Legal name

GROW Nebraska Foundation Inc.

Website

https://grownebraska.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GROW Nebraska Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that helps Nebraska small businesses and entrepreneurs access training, marketing, and market channels, serving 400+ members via a two-tier membership program, Buy Nebraska retail and online stores, multi-marketplace e-commerce, and the Women's Business Center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Small business support
• Entrepreneur training
• Business membership
• Nebraska marketplace
• Women business center

Headquarters

HQ city

Holbrook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Two-tier membership model: Service Membership ($200/year) and Product Membership ($350/year). Service members receive SEO-friendly web pages, social media publicity, one-on-one training, and access to networking. Product members additionally receive retail access through the Buy Nebraska brick-and-mortar store and eCommerce capabilities via buynebraska.com.
2. Product Sales: GROW Nebraska operates the Buy Nebraska retail store and online marketplace (buynebraska.com), selling products from member businesses on a consignment basis. The organization has produced over $7 million in cumulative sales through these channels.
3. Grants and Donations: The organization receives federal and state funding, along with support from foundations and individual donors at various partnership levels (Diamond through Supporting Members). Annual budget is close to $1 million.
4. Training and Events: Provides various training programs including Google training, QuickBooks classes, social media training, and hosts the MarkeTech Conference. Some trainings are free while others may have associated costs.
5. Flex Loan Program: Offers micro loans up to $2,500 with flexible repayment terms up to 24 months. Loan features include a $50 application fee (waived) and fast approval process, in partnership with Nebraska Enterprise Fund and GNWBC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GROW Nebraska Foundation is a 501c3 educational nonprofit that supports Nebraska small businesses and entrepreneurs through tiered membership programs (Service Membership and Product Membership), 1-on-1 technical and marketing training, the Buy Nebraska brick-and-mortar store, the BuyNebraska.com online marketplace, and listings on Amazon, eBay, Target, TikTok, Walmart and Etsy. It also runs the annual MarkeTech Conference, the Nebraska State Fair Store, the GROW Nebraska Women's Business Center, micro-loan and UPC programs, and provides scholarships and grants.

Product overview

GROW Nebraska is a 501c3 educational nonprofit organization that serves as a comprehensive small business support ecosystem. The organization operates a dual product/service architecture consisting of membership programs (Service Membership at $200/year and Product Membership at $350/year) that provide training, marketing, and eCommerce capabilities. The core products include the Buy Nebraska Store (brick-and-mortar retail location), BuyNebraska.com (online marketplace), and the GROW with Google Training program. The ecosystem is supplemented by the Women's Business Center (GNWBC), the annual MarkeTech Conference, the GROW Nebraska Flex Loan micro-lending program, UPC barcode services, the State Fair Store program, and custom gift box services. The organization has generated over $7 million in sales and helped create and retain more than 1,500 full-time jobs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GROW Nebraska Membership Program Two-tier annual membership program (Service Membership at $200/year and Product Membership at $350/year) providing Nebraska small businesses and entrepreneurs with training, marketing assistance, one-on-one coaching, SEO-friendly member web pages, networking, e-commerce capabilities, retail access, micro-loans, and grant opportunities.
• Buy Nebraska Retail Store Brick-and-mortar retail store located on Younes Campus in Kearney, NE (421 W Talmadge Street, Suite #1) that markets and sells Nebraska-made products on consignment from GROW Nebraska member businesses. Used for product testing, market validation, and launching new products.
• BuyNebraska.com Online Marketplace The premier Nebraska product online marketplace showcasing gourmet food, handmade crafts, artwork, and unique gifts from Nebraska entrepreneurs. Ships throughout the United States and serves as a marketing and direct-sales channel for product members.
• GROW with Google Training Exclusive training provided by GROW Nebraska as a Google Premier Partner covering Google Analytics, Search Console, Google Business Profile optimization, and digital marketing for member businesses.
• MarkeTech Conference Annual premier Midwest Marketing gathering hosted by GROW Nebraska featuring expert speakers, marketing education sessions, and networking opportunities; discounted for members.
• GROW Nebraska Women's Business Center (GNWBC) Educational hub offering mentorship, training, and guidance to women entrepreneurs in Nebraska, located in Omaha, NE. Supports launch, growth, and sustainability of women-owned businesses including PRIME grants for low-income entrepreneurs.
• GROW Nebraska Flex Loan Micro loans up to $2,500 with flexible repayment terms up to 24 months and a waived $50 application fee, supporting Nebraska entrepreneurs with credit scores of 600+ or at least 4 months of on-time payments. Offered in partnership with Nebraska Enterprise Fund and GNWBC.
• Mark It to Market UPC Program UPC barcode program helping GROW Nebraska members get products on Amazon and work with large businesses, at $25 per code with a $5 annual renewal fee.
• GROW Nebraska State Fair Store Annual booth at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, NE staffed and managed by GROW Nebraska, providing product display, demonstration, and sales support to member businesses serving 300,000+ attendees over 11 days. Registration fee $170 for product members.
• Custom Gift Box Program Program allowing customers to create personalized Nebraska-made gift baskets for corporate or individual occasions, starting at $20 and up.
• Nebraska Wholesale Platform Wholesale platform connecting Nebraska businesses with retail opportunities and bulk buyers.
• Multi-Marketplace E-commerce Distribution Consolidated e-commerce presence for member products across BuyNebraska.com, Amazon, eBay, Target, TikTok Shop, Walmart, and Etsy, providing national and select international reach.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $7 million in sales generated for member businesses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core - diamond, major - gold, core - silver, core, supporting and supporting - bronze.

• Center for Rural Affairscore - diamondStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond partner ($50,000+) supporting rural business development in Nebraska. Center for Rural Affairs works on rural prosperity initiatives that align with GROW Nebraska's mission of supporting entrepreneurs across Nebraska, including rural communities.
• Younes Hospitalitymajor - goldStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner ($10,000-$24,999) providing hosting and venue support. Younes Campus houses GROW Nebraska's corporate offices and Buy Nebraska retail store.
• Grow with Googlecore - silverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner ($4,000-$9,999) enabling GROW Nebraska to serve as a Google Premier Partner. Provides exclusive training including Google Analytics, Search Console, and Google Business Profile optimization for member businesses.
• Nebraska Retail FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration supporting Nebraska retailers and nominating GROW Nebraska member Rustic & Red for National Retail Federation's America's Retail Champions recognition. Shared commitment to strengthening retail industry.
• Midlands African ChambersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGNWBC Advisory Board member Karine Sokpoh serves as Executive Director. Collaboration supporting minority entrepreneurs and diverse business communities.
• Nebraska Business Development Centersupporting - bronzeStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner ($1,000-$3,999) providing business development resources. APEX Accelerator (formerly Nebraska Business Development Center) helps with government contracting.
• Heartland Workforce SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGNWBC Advisory Board member David Vaughn serves as One Stop Supervisor. Workforce solutions partner supporting employment and business development.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Women's Business Centers (SBA): The SBA's Women's Business Center network is the parent program of GROW Nebraska's GNWBC. Directly comparable in providing education, mentorship, and capital access to women entrepreneurs, and the direct source of GROW Nebraska's WBC credentials.
• Center for Rural Affairs: Center for Rural Affairs is a Nebraska-based nonprofit supporting rural communities and small businesses. Listed as a Diamond partner of GROW Nebraska, with overlapping mission, geography, and rural entrepreneur focus.
• Nebraska Enterprise Fund: Nebraska Enterprise Fund is a Nebraska-based CDFI providing micro loans and business support to rural entrepreneurs. Directly comparable to GROW Nebraska because it is a stated Diamond partner and co-supports the Flex Loan program for the same target market.

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: SCORE is a national nonprofit providing free mentoring, training, and resources to small businesses. It is a broad incumbent in the small business support space with overlapping training and mentorship offerings to GROW Nebraska's service membership.
• America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): America's SBDC network delivers nationwide training, advising, and business development support, often in partnership with SBA. Comparable to GROW Nebraska in mission and target audience, but operates at a much larger, federally-funded scale.
• Main Street America: Main Street America is a national nonprofit supporting small-business-led downtown and rural district revitalization. Overlaps with GROW Nebraska's local economic development and retail/maker focus, though at a community-district scale.

Others

• AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity): AEO is a national nonprofit association of microfinance and small business development organizations. Relevant as an ecosystem/peer network supporting CDFIs and small business development nonprofits like GROW Nebraska and its partners.
• Goldwater Institute (rural economic policy): Goldwater Institute is a policy organization supporting free-market and rural economic opportunity. Adjacent rather than directly comparable, but relevant as a thematic enabler of the rural small business ecosystem GROW Nebraska serves.

Emerging players

• Faire: Faire is a wholesale marketplace connecting independent makers and retailers. Comparable to GROW Nebraska's Nebraska Wholesale platform and Buy Nebraska marketplace, but operates at a global scale with a private-company model.

Regional players

• Buy Local/Indie Beauty Network style state programs: State-specific 'buy local' or 'made in [state]' nonprofit programs (e.g., Illinois SBDC, Made in Montana, Kentucky Proud) operate as direct analogs to GROW Nebraska's Buy Nebraska platform, but in different geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grownebraska
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/grownebraska
• Facebookfacebook.com/growneb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grow-nebraska
• Instagraminstagram.com/grownebraska
• Pinterestpinterest.com/grownebraska
• TikToktiktok.com/@grownebraska

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GROW Nebraska