Pipeline receives up to $2M from Kauffman Foundation grant

Pipeline Entrepreneurs announced Tuesday that the fellowship program is deepening its relationship with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and receiving a challenge grant of more than $2 million over the next four years.

The grant amount is dependent upon private fundraising with the foundation matching dollar-for-dollar, a release said.

Launched in 2006, Pipeline offers an intensive leadership development program that aims to hone founders skills and connect them with other high-impact entrepreneurs.

Pipeline member firms have created quite the economic impact, generating $1.1 billion in revenue and more 1,600 jobs. The selective program has seen more than 100 participants from Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, together raising over $400 in outside capital.

The Kauffman Foundation is proud to support the organization, said Kauffman Foundation CEO Wendy Guillies.

“At the Kauffman Foundation, we see entrepreneurial programs from all over the world,” Guillies said in a release. “It is especially gratifying to know that one of the very best grew up right in our backyard. Pipeline is getting results and does so with a very unique model that supports our  highest growth founders.”

The grant aims to help Pipeline define its regional boundaries — which are currently the states of Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska — for the next four years, as well as support the initial fellowship and ongoing member programs.

Pipeline CEO Joni Cobb said that she is excited to continue working with the foundation and that the foundation’s grant enabled the fellowship program to expand regionally and deepen long-term, member programming.

“We are so grateful to have the strong backing of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as we continue to identify, train and connect our region’s highest growth entrepreneurial superstars,” said Cobb. “It will be very exciting to see who joins our current ranks of partners as we execute over the next four, opportunity-filled years.”

Pipeline selects up to 13 entrepreneurs for its fellowship. The 2018 fellowship program’s application deadline is Oct. 19.