Pipeline announces 2016 fellowship class

The Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship announced Thursday night during its annual Innovator of the Year gala the tenth class of fellows in its leadership development program.

The Kansas City-based organization is welcoming 13 entrepreneurs from the region, including six innovators from Missouri, five from Nebraska and two from Kansas. This year’s fellowship will hold program events in Kansas City, St. Louis, Nebraska and Ireland.

“This tenth class reflects what Pipeline is all about: diverse industries, diverse entrepreneurs, three different states and one compelling drive to succeed together,” Pipeline CEO Joni Cobb in a release. “They are joining Pipeline at such a remarkable time as this year will certainly be full of excitement, opportunity and expanded global networks. We can’t wait to get started.”

Founded in 2006, Pipeline welcomes 10 to 13 entrepreneurs each year for its development program. Now with nearly 100 alumni, Pipeline derives much of its power from an expansive network that allows members to tap a wealth of connections and resources from other powerful businesspeople in the organization. In 2014, Pipeline member firms grew their revenues by $179 million and raised more than $207 million, according to the organization.

Here’s more on each of the entrepreneurs in the 2016 class:

Kim Gandy, founder of Kansas City-based Play-it Health, which created mobile software to help health facilities and patients track their health regimens.

Jeff Rohr, founder of Kansas City-based SquareOffs, which developed a social debate platform that gives readers a voice while driving engagement and revenues for publishers, bloggers and brands.

Tommy Saunders, founder of Kansas City-based FEWDM, a fitness company that makes omnidirectional fitness products.

Blake Hawley, CEO of Lawrence-based Integrated Animal Health, which is a global animal health business accelerator.

Michelle Faits, co-founder of St.Louis-based Pro-Arc Diagnostics, a biotech company that aims to protect immunocompromised patients from the harmful effects of the JC Virus.

Brian Handrigan, founder of St. Louis-based Recursive Labs, which built software that enables quick collaboration to more effectively help companies interact with customers.  

Sarah Mirth, co-founder of St. Louis-based ARTIFOX, which created software to streamline and enhance the process of buying furniture.

Kyle Tabor, CEO of St. Louis-based Invisible Industries, a software firm that creates natural language conversation services powered by artificial intelligence.

Justin Kallhoff, founder of Lincoln-based Infogressive Inc., which is a global cybersecurity firm.

Devon Seacrest, co-founder of Lincoln-based Digital Environments, which focuses on visualizing relationship intelligence.

Vishal Singh, founder of Lincoln-based Quantified Ag, a livestock data analytics company.

Keith Fix, founder of Omaha-based blabfeed, which manages hardware and software applications in digital displays, such as menus, kiosks, information screens and more.

Clayton Chapman, owner of the Omaha-based The Grey Plume restaurant, which has since grown into an artisan grocery store.