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
Complex risks bring community kudos for creative entrepreneur honored by KC Chamber
Keisha Jordan didn’t know what saying “yes” to a job in Kansas City would unlock when she first relocated in 2020, she said, reflecting on a full-circle moment Tuesday after winning a top arts honor from the KC Chamber during its celebration of small business and entrepreneurs. “I trusted God, trusted the universe, and it’s…
KC’s top emerging business is brewing more than just beer at 18th and Vine, owners say
Winning the Emerging Small Business Award is validation that Vine Street Brewing Co. — Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery — is tapped into what the community wants and needs, two of its owners said Tuesday. “It signifies we’re moving along with purpose and that we can really lean into our goals,” explained Annie McGinnis, co-owner and…
Their engineering firm built a legacy in KC; why these KC Chamber winners are rebranding
A streamlined brand identity for one of the Midwest’s most influential engineering firms positions “T&B” as one of the secret weapons behind the evolution of Kansas City, the company announced, just moments after earning a top small business award from the KC Chamber. Taliaferro & Browne — the first minority-owned engineering firm to receive a…
Founder’s resolve earns KC mental health practice ‘Small Business of the Year’ title
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Kansas City’s newest Small Business of the Year is on a years-long journey to create safe, inclusive spaces for its clients and team, the resilient entrepreneur behind…