Founder earns Pipeline’s ‘best pitch,’ says network’s lifelong support is the real award
March 1, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
Pipeline judges announced Megan O’Rear had the best pitch Thursday, but the Celerity Enterprises founder was left momentarily speechless when they named her winner of the group’s annual showcase and competition.
Megan O’Rear, Celerity Enterprises, at Pipeline’s 2024 Daytime Showcase; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“It just validates coming back to Kansas City,” said O’Rear, who also serves as the startup’s CEO. “Pipeline wants to help everybody that they possibly can in the community, and so it warms your heart.”
Eleven Fellows and 11 Pathfinders — representing diverse backgrounds and industries from Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska — each gave five-minute pitches at Pipeline’s 2024 Daytime Showcase, championing each other as they competed. (Editor’s note: Startland News was a non-financial media partner for the showcase.)
Click here for a full list of the pitchers who were scheduled for Thursday’s event.
“Our whole class really felt a level of closeness, these are lifelong relationships,” said O’Rear. “I knew that there was going to be an element of that. But, I don’t think I realized the full impact.”
Celerity Enterprises offers a specialized SaaS financial platform for managing pricing agreements between manufacturers and distributors, providing real-time data for better decision-making. Putting the pedal to the metal, O’Rear is honing in on driving up sales this year.
“Distribution is the ‘foundation of America’ is what I call it, and being a part of that change leading into the next age is exciting,” said O’Rear. “It’s a great place to be, it’s what gets us everything that we need every day.”
Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, at Pipeline’s 2024 Daytime Showcase; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Pathfinder winner
Dr. Brandy Archie, founder of AskSamie, won best pitch among Pipeline’s Pathfinders class, taking home a $5,000 prize. Her company helps find the adaptive equipment needed for homes, providing comfort for those aging.
“I came to Pipeline for the education, but I left Pipeline with a community of resilient people,” said Archie.
“When people are open about how they change their businesses, it just gives me more freedom to know that there is no one path toward successful entrepreneurship, and that there’s a lot of ways to get there.”
She plans to use the funding to scale-up her business, with new developments including a grant program, providing funding for the adaptive equipment for those in need.
Melissa Vincent, Pipeline, holds the winning check for Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, at Pipeline’s 2024 Daytime Showcase; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Dropping the mask
One of the most significant resources for members of the elite Pipeline Entrepreneurs network is the ability to grant emerging founders access to high growth entrepreneurs — expanding their pathways forward in ways previously unavailable to them, said Melissa Vincent, executive director of Pipeline.
“To create that accessibility has been wonderful and to see its ripple effect in the community by seeing other entrepreneurs support new organizations just really embraces that,” said Vincent.
Founders value space to be transparent and confide in one another about the ups and downs of running a business — often calling it a highlight of their Pipeline experience, she said.
“It’s all about being willing to take the mask off and being vulnerable, because that’s the only way we can help you,” Vincent said.
Pipeline’s Daytime Showcase is a prelude to the summertime Innovators gala where graduating Fellows and Pathfinders are presented to the broader Pipeline membership and more honors are awarded.
Check out a photo gallery from the Pipeline Fellows’ portion of the pitch competition by Taylor Wilmore and Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News.
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Tea-Biotics opens ‘world’s-largest kombucha taproom’ with 32 flavors, Royals flare
The strength of Tea-Biotics’ new, world’s-largest kombucha taproom lies in its bold flavors — and a lot of them, said Lisa Bledsoe. “How good is fresh-pressed, organic blueberry? It’s great for you! It’s full of antioxidants,” said Bledsoe, founder of Tea-Biotics Kombucha, referencing just one of 32 variations on tap at the Olathe taproom. “How…
Global, KC investors charge Grandview-based battery innovator with 8-figure funding round
A Grandview-based leader in battery technology is building a charge for expansion as Spear Power Systems announced this week an eight-figure funding round with world-spanning reach and headline-grabbing international investors. “We are pleased with the quality and synergy of the syndicate,” said Jeff Kostos, president and CEO of Spear. “This investment enables Spear to scale…
Play It Forward reunites South Kansas City-inspired brands, startup leaders
A bright and sunny pre-autumn day silhouetted the shadows of basketball fans lining up last weekend to enter Smith-Hale Middle School. As the smells from a food truck and sounds of laughter filled the parking lot, players inside readied themselves for a South Kansas City showcase. “We wanted to involve many entities that are directly…
Climbing mountains in the Midwest? Exiting Pipeline leader eyes next big challenge
A desire to move mountains is driving Joni Cobb to move on from Pipeline — her family of 13 years. “I’ve been thinking about it for many years … not because I don’t love what I do. I love what I do [with Pipeline],” said Cobb, president and CEO of the Midwest-based accelerator and entrepreneur…