FundNV makes its first $100,000 investment in BuildQ, a Las Vegas-based AI-powered platform for project financing

FundNV makes its first $100,000 investment in BuildQ, a Las Vegas-based AI-powered platform for project financing

First startup investment fund to be organized under the Nevada Certified Investor law, FundNV has raised more than $1.4 million of $2 million goal

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 18, 2025) – In its second round of investments that will ultimately total $2 million for the most-promising early-stage Nevada startups, FundNV, a for-profit pre-seed venture capital fund, has made its first $100,000 investment in BuildQ, Inc., a Las Vegas-based artificial intelligence (AI) platform simplifying the development, financing, and sale of large-scale infrastructure projects.

In addition to announcing its first investment, FundNV’s leaders Vicki Zhou, Kristin Tomasik, and Jeff Saling report that FundNV is ahead of schedule in meeting its goal of raising $2 million for Nevada startups. As of January, FundNV has raised approximately $1.4 million. They credited FundNV’s fundraising success to the first in the nation “Nevada Certified Investor” (NCI) law that was created by passage of AB75 in 2023. The intrastate NCI law enables more Nevadans to qualify to invest in startups at lower minimum investment levels.

BuildQ’s founder and CEO, Maryssa Barron described the experience of working with FundNV as collaborative and encouraging. “The early-stage investment by FundNV helps BuildQ accelerate its go-to-market strategy and capture early market share in the $3 trillion-dollar global energy infrastructure market. However, FundNV has offered us so much more than capital. The leaders of FundNV are true partners, offering feedback, advice, and support based on their own startup experiences, which we find just as valuable,” said Barron.

FundNV’s investment process is straightforward and thorough. The fund’s investment committee meets 24 times a year to review eligible companies, hear company pitches, and make investment offers. The committee typically meets biweekly on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Black Fire Innovation Center or Woven Workplaces. Entrepreneurs interested in pitching and being considered for an investment can view the upcoming meeting schedule at https://fundnv.com/events/.

Ultimately, FundNV will invest in at least another 20 Nevada companies over the next 32 to 48 months (targeting 3 to 5 companies per year). Companies receiving an initial $100,000 investment from FundNV participate in the affiliated nonprofit StartUpNV accelerator program that helps founders accelerate the growth of their company through education and mentorship. Founders also gain access to additional investments that average nearly $500,000 per startup.

As in the first round, this second round of FundNV investments will be matched 1:1 by the State of Nevada’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, leading to a total of $4 million being invested in the state’s startup economy. Thus, BuildQ will receive an additional $100,000 investment with the SSBCI match, totaling $200,000.

Learn more about FundNV at https://fundnv.com or via the informational podcast, “How to 10X Your Money: Inside Nevada's Investment Fund That's Beating Silicon Valley: FundNV.”

About FundNV

FundNV raises money for early-stage capital investment in Nevada startups that participate in the affiliated nonprofit StartUpNV accelerator program that helps the companies grow and gain access to additional resources, education, and mentorship. The first round of FundNV funding occurred from 2021-2024 with $1 million raised and invested in 20 Nevada-based companies. FundNV’s second round of capital fundraising and investment began in late 2024 and will raise $2 million for investment in at least 20 Nevada companies over 24 to 36 months. All FundNV capital is matched by the State of Nevada’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The current second round of FundNV adheres to the new Nevada Certified Investor law, allowing more intrastate investors to participate at lower investment levels. For more information visit: https://fundnv.com/.