Hohensee Learns Firsthand About Process Behind Raising Capital for Startups

Husker Venture Fund Provides Funding for Entrepreneurs

Senior Ben Hohensee uses his strengths to help raise capital for startups as part of the first cohort of the Husker Venture Fund. Along with learning about business operations, such as banking and economics, he learned about his talents and discussed them with Herita Akamah, ’17, assistant professor of accountancy.

Selected for the first cohort of the new Husker Venture Fund (HVF), Ben Hohensee gets to learn firsthand how to foster relationships in the startup community and help fund homegrown innovative ideas and solutions. Collaborating with like-minded students and investors, he uses his mathematical and statistical skills in a practical way.

“Entrepreneurship has always excited me, so getting involved allows me to learn the ins and outs of business operations, as well as banking, financial markets and economics,” said the finance major. “Raising capital is vital to any startup’s success, so I wanted to learn more about the process behind it. We get to make a difference and put our knowledge to work by investing real money in startups from funds our managing directors raised.”

The 28-member cohort prepared for real-world investing in a student-led bootcamp. They read and reviewed material from the book “Venture Deals” by Brad Feld to learn about general venture capital concepts, term sheets, crowdfunding and more. They also attended a networking event in Omaha.

“Nebraska has challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone. I formed close relationships with other students in the group because of the trip to Omaha. Those early interactions enhanced my social skills and helped me build relationships. Their advice helps me determine what my best steps are after graduation,” the Lincoln, Nebraska, native said.

The cohort also worked together in teams to create fundraising strategies and term sheets, a nonbinding agreement that shows the basic terms and conditions of an investment. Hohensee plans to gain experience in any way possible to ensure his future success.

“The conversations I’ve had outside of class have been beneficial in my learning experience, but more so the discussions we have in HVF,” Hohensee said. “The information we’ve learned about investing and venture capital has already given me a head start for life after college.”

To learn more about the Husker Venture Fund, visit https://business.unl.edu/huskerventure.

Published: January 19, 2022