A night for knock-outs: Pipeline gala adds glitz to the hard-fought battles of entrepreneurship (Photos)
March 4, 2025 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Midwest means resilience, Melissa Vincent told a black-tie crowd of entrepreneurs gathered Friday evening in the Grand Hall at Union Station, ultimately sharing the stage with not one, but two Innovator of the Year honorees.
Melissa Vincent, CEO at Pipeline Entrepreneurs, stands on stage alongside serial founder and Pipeline Entrepreneur Donald Hawkins at the 2025 Pipeline Innovators gala; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
“When they get knocked down, knocked out, they get back up and they stay in the ring,” continued Vincent, CEO of Pipeline Entrepreneurs, an elite network of founders from across the region. “And one thing I can say with certainty is that as many times as you get knocked down, Pipeline will be here to make sure that you get back up and stay in the ring.”
Both the 2023 and 2024 Pipeline Fellows and Pathfinder class members — representing Midwest companies (Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska) and from a wide range of industries — were officially honored Friday as graduates of the program during the 2025 Pipeline Entrepreneurs Innovators Gala.
“This is a room full of people who know what it takes to step into the ring, take a hit, and keep going,” added Donald Hawkins, Pipeline member and founder of Kinly, addressing a gala audience of fellows from the past 18 years, members of the entrepreneur support community, and Pipeline partners.
Check out a photo gallery from the gala below.
Serial founder Donald Hawkins speaks from the stage in the Grand Hall at Union Station during the 2025 Pipeline Innovators Gala; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
During the evening’s program, the 2025 Fellows and Pathfinders were introduced, and nine awards were presented. One Kansas City-area entrepreneur took home hardware.
Awards and awardees from the gala included:
2023 Innovator of the Year Award — Nic Bianchi, Bianchi Candle Co., Omaha, Nebraska
2024 Innovator of the Year Award — Taylor Stormberg, Pando PEO, Omaha, Nebraska
The Pipeline Innovator of the Year award is the award given to the Fellow who best scores 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.
2023 Inspiration of the Year Award — Melissa Weed, Honey Does LLC, Pittsburg, Kansas
2024 Inspiration of the Year Award — Candice McField, As for Me and My Body, Merriam, Kansas
The Pipeline Inspiration of the Year award is the award given to the Pathfinder who best scores in these three components — performance during the Pipeline Pathfinder year, their presentation score for their pitch during the Innovators Daytime Pitch Showcase and class vote.
Member Inspiration Award — Trevor Crotts, American Petworks, Wichita, Kansas
Pipeline Members know that Pipeline is a never-ending, long-term community of entrepreneurial leaders. They help each other — and the organization — as we all grow toward our goals. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by a Pipeline Member to the organization and the many peers within it.
Member Growth Award — Aaron McKee, Purple Wave, Manhattan, Kansas
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.
Mike Bosch Entrepreneurial Resilience Award — Robert Disberger, GovBuilt, Topeka, Kansas
The Member Resilience Award is given out to a Member who has shown strength, perseverance and resilience over the course of the last year. Whether it be within their own life, with their company or helping someone in our Pipeline Family — this award honors what it means to be a true entrepreneur in the good and in the bad.
2024 Pathfinder Best Pitch Award — Shaniqua Jones-Williams, SendBack, St. Louis, Missouri
2024 Fellow Best Pitch Award — Chrystal Graves, LiQUiD Hair Institute, Columbia, Missouri
Check out a photo gallery from the gala by Tommy Felts, Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, and Taylor Wilmore.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
From abandoned artifact to new Negro Leagues’ space: Why renovated Paseo YMCA now bears the name ‘Buck O’Neil’
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s redevelopment of the old Paseo YMCA is nearly complete, according to NLBM President Bob Kendrick, who said the renovated building will help the museum share the history of the Negro Leagues with generations to come. Set to open in late spring or early summer, the Buck O’Neil Education and Research…
Royals say tailgating, plenty of parking planned for year-round downtown ballpark district
As the Kansas City Royals deepen their efforts to bring baseball to downtown, the club aims to call up features fans love most — along with attributes from other ballparks and entertainment districts they don’t yet know they’ve been missing, executives said Tuesday. “We’re committed to creating a truly transformational, world-class ballpark district, one that…
Meet the Midwest’s future serial entrepreneurs: Pipeline reveals 2023 fellowship, Pathfinder cohort
Nearly 30 of the region’s most promising founders now have access to an industry-agnostic network that focuses solely on serial high-growth entrepreneurs — without taking equity in the startups it serves, said Melissa Vincent. Pipeline Entrepreneurs on Tuesday officially announced its new roster of high-profile fellows, as well as members of its latest Pipeline Pathfinder…
‘Brain power’ across the street: How this innovation park hopes to keep university talent in Kansas after graduation
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to Entrepreneurial Growth Ventures (EGV), a business unit of NetWork Kansas supporting innovative, high-growth entrepreneurs in the State of Kansas. LAWRENCE — A partnership between…