Kelly Mann of AuditMiner
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Kelly Mann (co-founder and CEO) of AuditMiner, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of AuditMiner – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
After 15 years in public accounting, I started my own CPA firm. I was doing 401(k) audits because they were manageable, consistent, and let me work remotely while raising three kids. When I looked for software to make the process more efficient, I found… nothing. Every major software company told me they didn’t have anything for 401(k) audits. A few weeks later, some called back saying, “We’re interested, we just don’t have an expert with a vision”. That was my moment. If all they wanted was my vision, I wanted to own it. So I canceled the calls, Googled “how to start a software company”, and began building AuditMiner to solve the problem myself.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
Building a company while going through treatment for stage three breast cancer during COVID, with three small kids at home and no daycare – that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But even beyond that, scaling a startup from scratch is brutal. I had to bootstrap, write my own grant applications, and do all the sales myself. We had duct-taped software in the early days and grew faster than our infrastructure could handle. And once we started growing, the hardest part became people decisions – hiring, restructuring, and learning how to lead compassionately.
What does the future hold for AuditMiner?
We’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible. Right now, we solve a very specific pain point for CPA firms doing 401(k) audits. But our technology can extend to other types of audits, data integrations, and even regulatory workflows. We’re focused on scaling in a smart way – investing in product, people, and partnerships that align with our core mission. The goal is to stay CPA-first and problem-focused, while expanding the impact we can have across the audit landscape.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Nebraska?
It’s scrappy, supportive, and surprisingly strong for a place that’s not on most people’s tech radar. There’s real grit here. People bootstrapping, building meaningful businesses, and helping each other along the way. That said, we still need more access to early-stage capital and more visibility for founders building non-traditional companies, especially women in SaaS. I’m grateful for the resources that do exist, like the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which helped get AuditMiner off the ground.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Don’t wait for permission. If you see a problem worth solving, go after it. Even if you don’t have all the answers. I didn’t know how to start a software company. I just knew the pain point and believed in the vision. Also, pace yourself. You can be relentless without burning out. And finally, get comfortable with hard decisions. Building something meaningful means you’ll face moments that test your values, your energy, and your relationships.