Pipeline gala salutes ‘thriving, ever-evolving’ Midwest startup scene boosted by its fellows
June 16, 2023 | Startland News Staff
The 2023 edition of the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Annual Innovation Gala honored a slate of innovators and inspirational forces from across the region, hailing the growth of entrepreneurship in the heartland — and a handful of top award winners.
Past Innovator of the Year recipients Parker Graham and AJ Mellott introduce the 2022 fellowship class award winner at the 2023 Pipeline Innovators Gala; photo by Channa Steinmetz, Startland News
Melissa Vincent, executive director of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, credited the fellows with fostering a now-thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
“It is through [our members’] hard work and dedication to staying in the Midwest that has taken what was once an entrepreneurial desert, and turned it into a thriving and ever-evolving ecosystem these last 16 years,” Vincent said.
Both the 2022 Pipeline Fellows and Pathfinder class members were officially honored as graduates of the program.
The 2022 Pathfinder cohort marked the inaugural graduating class of the program, which was developed in 2021 as an entryway into the elite fellowship for often-overlooked founders who have not yet made the jump to full-time work with their startups.
During the program — which was held at Hotel Kansas City on Thursday evening — the 2023 Fellows and Pathfinders were introduced, and five awards were presented. Two Kansas City entrepreneurs took home hardware.
Awards and awardees from the gala included:
2022 Innovator of the Year — Jessica Loseke, Midwest Barrel Co., Lincoln, Nebraska
The Pipeline Innovator of the Year award is the award given to the fellow with the best showing in these three components: performance during the Pipeline Fellowship year, scores for their completed business plans, and their presentation score during the Innovators Daytime Pitch Showcase.
Member Growth Award — Bo Lais, Lula, Kansas City, Missouri
Pipeline Members continue to work with the Pipeline organization, and each other, as they grow and scale their businesses. This award recognizes a Pipeline Member for a particularly strong demonstration of growth, be it revenue, capital raised, creation of high-salaried jobs, new ventures or innovation.
Member Inspiration Award — Ali Schwanke, Simple Strat, Lincoln, Nebraska
Pipeline Members know that Pipeline is a never-ending, long-term community of entrepreneurial leaders. They help each other — and the organization — as members all grow toward their goals. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by a Pipeline Member to the organization and the many peers within it.
Mike Bosch Resilience Award — Tim Donnelly, Serviam Care Network, Kansas City, Missouri
The Pipeline Resilience Award is among the newest awards and is awarded to an entrepreneur who exemplifies what it means to be an entrepreneur through and through. To show resilience and strength against all odds and continue to keep building and give back to the community and the membership.
2022 Pathfinder Entrepreneurial Inspiration Award — Letisha Wexstten, V15Able, St. Louis
Check out a photo gallery from the Pipeline’s rooftop reception and gala below.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Happy Food Co. packs outside-the-box flavor into locally sourced meal kits
Finding the right mix of flavors for Kansas City’s pallette has been a trial-and-error effort for Happy Food Co., Jeff Glasco said. The Olathe-based direct-to-consumer meal kit company offers about 20 easy-to-prepare dinners infused with bold spices and outside-the-box local ingredients. Customer favorites include a bison cheeseburger quesadilla, butter-basted salmon, and soba noodle bowl with…
Ennovation Center helping food entrepreneurs avoid charring their dreams
In the seven years of leading a food business incubator, Lee Langerock has seen plenty of businesses — and dreams — sour. “We’ve had a front-row seat to the startup challenges and trials of food-based business,” said Langerock, the executive director of the Independence-based Ennovation Center. “The biggest pitfall we’ve witnessed is lack of practical,…
KCMO, Avis launch first-in-the-world test lab with 5,000 connected rental cars
Accelerating the Smart City initiative’s focus on enabling autonomous vehicles, the Kansas City area is now serving as the laboratory for a large test of thousands of connected rental cars. Avis Budget Group and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, announced Thursday the launch of the “Mobility Lab,” featuring a fleet of 5,000 internet-connected vehicles…
Document: Techstars raising a $400M startup fund
Accelerator and investment firm Techstars is working to raise a massive new fund to boost portfolio startups around the world. Techstars — which operates an accelerator program in Kansas City — is now raising a $400 million fund, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund more than doubles Techstars Ventures’…