Elevator Secures $1.6 Million in Seed Round Funding to Fuel Expansion into New Markets
Omaha, NE, September 19, 2024 – Elevator, an innovative co-warehousing workspace for entrepreneurs, announced today that it has secured $1.6 million in seed round funding. This strategic investment will fuel Elevator's expansion into new markets, building on its rapid growth in Omaha.
business | 2024-09-23
Omaha, NE, September 23rd, 2024 – Elevator, an innovative co-warehousing workspace for entrepreneurs, announced today that it has secured $1.6 million in seed round funding. This strategic investment will fuel Elevator's expansion into new markets, building on its rapid growth in Omaha.
Emiliano Lerda, Co-Founder and CEO, says, "We’re excited to replicate this success in new markets and bring our unique blend of workspace, logistics support, and community to even more entrepreneurs.”
The funding round was led by Invest Nebraska, with participation from both new and existing investors. This follows a $1.7 million pre-seed round raised in 2022.
Founded in 2021 by Shannon and Emiliano Lerda, Elevator was born out of necessity when their e-commerce business outgrew their home and they struggled to find a suitable, flexible workspace. In 2022, Elevator launched its first location in downtown Omaha, and in just two years, has grown its community to over 300 members and 100 businesses, marking it as one of Omaha’s fastest-growing startups.
"The overwhelmingly positive response from small business owners in Omaha has shown us the significant gap in access to flexible spaces and resources for businesses with physical goods," said Shannon Lerda, Co-Founder and President. She added, "We’ve learned that building a vibrant and inclusive community is key to our model’s success.”
This is further underscored by the fact that 65% of Elevator’s member businesses are minority- or woman-owned, reflecting the company’s commitment to fostering a welcoming community.
About Elevator
Elevator provides flexible workspace solutions designed to meet the needs of small businesses with physical goods and has also become a top co-working space in Omaha. Members enjoy month-to-month terms, access to a loading dock, and logistics services that eliminate the time and costs associated with daily post office trips and carrier pickups. The community also benefits from Elevator’s educational programming, networking events, and partnerships that provide access to capital. Discover more at www.elevatorspaces.com.
About Invest Nebraska
Invest Nebraska supports Nebraska's early-stage and mid-stage startups by leading seed rounds, partnering with other investment groups, and providing support to portfolio companies and the broader startup ecosystem.