Pipeline Fellows 2023: top, Audra Dinell, The Thread: Women’s Leadership Collective; Scott Campbell, KBS Service; Tashara Earl, Shades of Color; Robert Disbenger, Government Built; center, Eliot Arnold, Mood Spark AI; Megan Orear, Celerity Enterprises; Lee Zuvanich, Appsta; Sarah Hill, Elio; Jon Broek, Tenfold Security; below, Jonathan Ruiz, EB Systems; Mandy Shoemaker, Commitment Solutions for Dementia; Nic Bianchi, Bianchi Candela Co; Molly O’Neil, wonderful
Nearly 30 of the region’s most promising founders now have access to an industry-agnostic network that focuses exclusively on high-growth serial entrepreneurs, with no stakes 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 cohort, which provides specific programs for minorities, women and rural entrepreneurs.
Click here Learn more about Pipeline Entrepreneurs.
“Our hope for the future with these two cohorts is that as they execute the program, there will continue to be an incredible continuum of resources specifically for high-growth entrepreneurs who are in the Midwest,” said Vincent, executive director of Pipeline. “And because we have this unique purpose, when you see these new cohorts go through the program, it’s incredibly exciting to think about the impact they’ll have not only economically on the region, but also because they carry on the spirit of Pipeline.”
New members of Pipeline’s elite scholarship class include:
- Lee Zuvanich, Appsta: A global marketplace using AI to standardize software development pricing for app founders. Fractional CTOs available 24/7.
- Nicola Bianchi, Bianchi Candle Co (Omaha) — A tight-knit group who really enjoy being together and collaborating: our atmosphere is one of perseverance and warmth. We do a lot. We work hard. We laugh out loud. We are excited about growth and the unknown.
- Megan Orear, Celerity Enterprises (Kansas City) — A creative organization focused on providing innovative technical solutions to companies using special price agreements; transform antiquated processes into a fast, dynamic and profitable opportunity for producers, distributors and producer representative agencies.
- Mandy shoemakerDementia Engagement Solutions (Overland Park) — Provides caregivers space and time for meaningful and mindful connection with loved ones and residents through a curated monthly subscription service.
- Jonathan RuisEB Systems (Kansas City) — An industry leader in mobile apps, Bluetooth technology, and proprietary Beacon Reader technology that help drive the “Internet of Things” (IoT) industry for a diverse range of industries and customers.
- Robert DisbengerGovBuilt LLC (Topeka) — New and innovative software approach for regulatory software focused on permitting, licensing, planning, enforcement, and inspections.
- Sarah Hill, Healium (Columbia) – An interactive immersive media company specializing in biometrically controlled content powered by user wearable devices. In five peer-reviewed journals, Healium has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood in just four minutes.
- Scott CampbellKBS Service (Prairie Village) – A community of finance and accounting professionals nurturing the dynamic talent that comes from public accounting and partners with high-growth, small- and mid-sized companies to give them access to previously inaccessible game-changing talent.
- Eliot ArnoldMood Spark AI (Kansas City, Kansas) — The world’s first digital mood-enhancing companion: Detects sadness and improvement with conversations, memories, and video visits from friends and family.
- Tashara ConteShades of Color (St. Louis) — Provides a diverse, equitable and inclusive global platform to offer beauty entrepreneurs and consumers customized solutions to buy and sell products for their unique needs, culture and lifestyle.
- Molly O’NeilSuperb (Omaha) — Easy-to-use technology solution putting energy back into the hands of aged care facilities.
- Jon BrookTenfold Security (Kansas City, Kansas) — Cloud security consulting and threat management services.
- Audra DinellThe Thread: Women’s Leadership Collective (Wichita) – An experience and community of women leaders who create space for themselves and others to continually advance through their careers and lives as a whole.
Members of the Pathfinder cohort include:
- La Toya BassAlignment Business Solutions (Kansas City) — A digital business management firm helps coaches, accountants, and bookkeepers streamline operations to ensure the business runs efficiently and effectively in all areas.
- Doctor Brandy ArchieAskSAMIE (Kansas City) – The app creates a curated digital cart of adaptive equipment for patients recovering from significant health events or medical procedures, taking into account their specific physical needs and environmental constraints.
- Shaperee MarshallA Traveled Path Homes (Kansas City) – Workforce housing.
- Brian RobertsBlack Pantry KC (Kansas City) — A curated retail space to discover, create awareness and support Black products that meet a premium brand and quality standard.
- Triumfia Houmbie Fulks And Sedric HiblerCodeAlgo Academy (Kansas City) — A gaming platform that teaches elementary and middle school students how to code.
- Tam Tran And Roger OngData Appraisal (Overland Park): Unlock the monetary value of enterprise data, using an automated proprietary approach, to enable companies to monetize their enterprise data assets.
- Melissa GrassHoney Does LLC (Pittsburg) — Cleaning service for residential, commercial and rental properties in the 4-state region (Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas).
- Andrew Ozor and William BarnhartInspector
- Jenifer FennellJR Allen Consulting — Editor of “Keep Living: A Journal for Healing Through Your Grief”.
- chelsea mKC Black Owned (Kansas City) — Provides an online platform and marketing services to enhance the visibility of Black owned businesses.
- Kalia McKinleyOCD Diva & Co (Shawnee) — A compassionate organizing, cleaning and decluttering company with unique packing and unpacking services.
- JQ SirlPageMaster (Kansas City) — AI-powered bedtime story generator to create a special experience for your child.
The two new groups of fellows and “Pathfinders” gathered on January 26 in Kansas City for New Fellow Orientation to experience their first taste of Pipeline together before being split during the fellowship year to address the own development in their respective cohorts.
Many of the fellows and Pathfinders expressed a similar feeling of excitement and readiness to be in their positions, Vincent said, while others expressed how alert and grateful they were to be sitting among some of the best in the Midwest.
“Pipeline is excited to be able to create programming that bridges the gap between existing assets while also partnering and collaborating with other community builders to create a level playing field within our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Vincent. “The goal is to continue to build our network and provide the best possible resources, programming and opportunities to both our Pipeline Fellowship and Pathfinder program.”
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Pipeline boasts a community of 180 members, who have generated more than $2.5 billion in revenue over the 16 years of the grant; employed more than 4,000 people in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri; do business in more than 85 countries; and have raised more than $900 million in outside capital since joining Pipeline, according to the grant.
Click here to check out the 2022 Pipeline Fellows and Pathfinder cohorts.
