OMAHA, Neb. - TelAve -- Proven Ventures, a Burlington Capital Fund, has $1 million remaining in its first fund to invest in Nebraska founders who have built businesses with traction and are ready to put capital to work on their next stage of growth.

Proven is seeking founder-led companies that have moved beyond proving an idea and are ready to put $250,000 to $500,000 of capital to work to grow revenue, expand a sales and support team, improve inventory margins, enter new markets, or accelerate toward profitability. The firm is particularly interested in B2B companies generating a quarter million in revenue or more annually, although revenue alone does not determine whether a company is a fit.

"Some of the companies we're looking for may not think of themselves as venture-backed startups. That's exactly the point!" shared Erica Wassinger, cofounder and general partner at Proven Ventures. "They've built something customers are paying for, they know where the next stage of growth should be, and they need capital to get there. If you know what you could build with another $500,000, we want to talk to you."

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Founded in 2021, Proven Ventures was created to address a gap in Nebraska's capital landscape and has since made more than two dozen investments in Nebraska companies. Its investment strategy is based on the premise that equity becomes increasingly valuable as a company grows. In a traditional equity investment, founders exchange a percentage of ownership for capital, with investors typically retaining that stake until an exit.

Proven's Debt Equity model combines an equity investment with pre-set payments tied to company revenue. As the company grows and makes payments, founders can earn back equity, providing a path to retain more ownership over time.

"The goal isn't to raise more. It's to build more value," Wassinger said. "If you need capital for inventory, equipment, receivables or the right strategic hire, you should be asking what the best way is to finance that specific growth. Equity is incredibly valuable. Business owners should be intentional about when they use it."

That approach reflects Proven Ventures' broader focus on building profitable, durable companies around customers, sustainable growth and long-term value. Proven's partners, including CFO Mary Blaney, Portfolio Manager Gabi Keaton, and General Partner Nathan Preheim, also bring experience as entrepreneurs, operators, and business builders. The firm pairs investment capital with practical support across finance, go-to-market strategy, operations, technology and business growth.

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"We've sat on the founder's side of the table, so we understand the tradeoffs that come with every capital decision," said Preheim. "The question isn't simply, 'Can I raise capital?' It's, 'What will this capital help me build, and what will I own when I get there?'"

The business owners Proven Ventures hopes to meet have paying customers, meaningful revenue, and a clear use for $250,000 to $500,000. They believe their company is becoming more valuable and, because of that, are thoughtful about how much ownership they give up along the way.

Nebraska founders interested in exploring whether Proven Ventures could be a fit can schedule a conversation at www.proven.ventures.