Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship

Not every entrepreneur has a silver spoon. Some come in swinging with nothing but an idea, a relentless work ethic, and a chip on their shoulder. At Pipeline, we’re not building a country club. We’re building a gym. A place where founders train, sharpen, and rise — together. This isn’t about ego. It’s about execution. Not about who you know, but how far you’re willing to go. And when you step in here, you better be ready to sweat.

"We are not our business." Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP shared this during our?interview, and it’s a powerful reminder for every entrepreneur. It’s easy to tie our identity to what we build—but we are more than our ventures. Success, failure, pivots—they don’t define us. We believe in building?beyond?the business. Because who you are at your core is just as important as what you create.

Last week was a big one for Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship—our first module of the year, the Innovators Pitch Showcase, and the Innovators Gala, all packed into just a few days! I’ll be sharing more highlights soon, but first, let’s talk about one of the coolest pitch venues ever—the Planetarium at Union Station Kansas City ? Watching our founders pitch under a sky full of stars was pretty magical!! ? A huge congratulations to our Best Pitch winners: ?? Shaniqua Jones-Williams Jones (Pathfinder) ?? Chrystal Graves (Fellows) But truly, every pitch was phenomenal. The talent, passion, and innovation in that room were next level. A massive thank you to our VIP Judges for their time and insights: ? Pathfinders: Khadijah Robinson, Davyeon Ross, Jason Tatge ? Fellows: Susan Moring, Kevin Moore, Joel Goldberg, Matt Soper This community never stops inspiring me- more Pipeline moments coming soon!

A week later, and my heart is still so full. ?? The 2025 Innovators Gala was nothing short of magical—a sold-out night filled with energy, celebration, and the kind of community that makes this work so meaningful. Looking around that room, seeing so many incredible people come together to lift up and support one another, was a powerful reminder of why I love what I do. To our partners and fellow Entrepreneurial Support Organizations, I cannot thank you enough. Your dedication to this ecosystem ensures that EVERY entrepreneur has the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. It is an absolute joy to build alongside you, and I’m so grateful for the way we continue to show up for each other and for the founders we serve. To our Pathfinders, Fellows, and Members—As always, you showed up for each other in the most inspiring way, proving once again that Pipeline is more than a network; it’s a family. AND... a huge shout out to our award winners from the night: ?? Nic Bianchi- 2023 Innovator of the Year Winner ?? Melissa Weed MSM, EMP - 2023 Inspiration of the Year Winner ?? Taylor Stormberg - 2024 Innovator of the Year Winner ?? Candice McField, MBA - 2024 Inspiration of the Year Winner ?? Chrystal Graves - 2024 Fellow Best Pitch Winner ?? Shaniqua Jones-Williams - 2024 Pathfinder Best Pitch Winner ?? Trevor Crotts - Member Inspiration Award Winner ?? Aaron McKee- Member Growth Award Winner ?? Robert Disberger - Mike Bosch Resilience Award Winner And to everyone who made this night so special—whether you were in the room, cheering from afar (we felt the love, Anastasia Grenfell & Brooke Mullen), or simply part of this incredible community—thank you!! Your belief in one another, in this ecosystem, and in what’s possible is what makes moments like this so powerful. Oh, and the photos (Shout out to the amazing Nicole Bissey!) So much joy, so many incredible moments, and so much gratitude that I get to be part of this amazing community! Already counting down to next year. #FounderFirst #PipelineProud Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Network Kansas, The Porter House KC, Keystone Innovation District, InnovateHER KC, Startland News, Insperity, Alexander (Sandy) Kemper, Greater Topeka Partnership, Purple Wave Auction, Tallgrass Freight Company Digital Health KC, Patterson Family Foundation, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, The University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Erik Logan, Alaina Percival, Chris Shipley, Brooke Unruh, M. Grant Hansen, Leandro Castro, DaMar Janssen, Donald Hawkins, A.J. Mellott, Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP

? Still energized from the 2025 Pipeline Innovators Gala, where I had the opportunity to officially celebrate my Pipeline Entrepreneurship graduation with my amazing Class of 2023! ? There’s nothing quite like being in a room full of entrepreneurs—visionaries, problem-solvers, and dreamers. Every time I’m surrounded by this community, I leave re-energized and even more inspired to take on the challenges ahead. ?I’m beyond grateful for my 2023 Pipeline Class—a group that feels like a second family. The support, wisdom, and camaraderie we share are truly unmatched, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us! ? A huge thank you to Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship for cultivating such an extraordinary network of founders. The journey continues!

Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship got started with a bang! What an amazing cohort and outstanding network to be welcomed into! The Gala - fantastic. The programming with these fellow founders - knocked my socks off. Time to get to work and make an impact #pipeline #entrepreneur #raisethebar

Last week I was able to begin my first module Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship. I’ve already learned so much from my peers and especially from our instructor Leandro Castro about defining my business and really finding my path. I’m excited to continue to learn and grow and am humbled to be alongside so many amazing entrepreneurs. Our first module was capped off with the Innovators Showcase and Gala. A big thanks to the team Carissa Castro Melissa Vincent Katy Anderson !

Pictured: The original founding team at Cyphr. ?? Most people don’t know, but the first year of Cyphr was not spent like most founders in their first year of building. For 12 months, 4 modules, and lots of sleepless nights - I ideated, designed, conducted discovery, and failed in public creating with these humans what would eventually become Cyphr. In the moments between, we built remarkable bonds and impactful businesses. So this time of year attending the Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship Innovators Gala is my favorite. Seeing new and old friends, feeling, remembering what it feels like to be amongst dreamers and authentic community. It’s life-changing and an experience I don’t take for granted. Congrats to all of the new members, new fellows, and award winners. Happy to welcome you into this elite organization, and happy to get to know more about you and your businesses. — To Cyphr’s original founding team, my 2022 cohort, the BEST cohort, you are amazing. You are innovators. You are geniuses. And a group of humans who have become not only advisors and friends, but family. You are all building something incredibly special and I’m grateful for your support, hard truths, and consistent belief in me. Nothing like it. ???? cc: Melissa Vincent Katy Anderson

Two years ago, I stepped into Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship as a Pathfinder. This past year, I leveled up to a Fellow. And now officially a Pipeline Member. Here’s what I’ve learned: CEO looks like me. Not the version I thought I had to be. Not some buttoned-up, overly serious, suit-wearing idea of leadership. Me. The big kid who dresses up as cartoon characters during black tie events. The one covered in Saturday morning cartoon tattoos. The storyteller who’s lives and breathes nonsensical whimsy. Who believes with every fiber of my BEING in the magic of imagination. Who turns giggles into a business strategy. Pipeline didn’t just mentor me through financial modeling, projections, delegation, leadership, and grit. It showed me that I already knew it and that leading with authenticity, leading from a childlike soul, isn’t a weakness. It’s my superpower. To my 2024 Pipeline Fellows, you are brilliant. You are relentless. You are family. I’m honored to have built alongside you, learned with you, and been inspired by you. To the entire Pipeline network, thank you for pushing, supporting, and reminding me that the world needs leaders who don’t just fit the mold but shatter it entirely. Onward with a cape and a whole lot of confetti. ??? — Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP Tam Tran Triumfia Houmbie Fulks Taylor Stormberg Jennifer Lea Ashley McClellan Chrystal Graves Chuck Schneider Marissa Whalen Anastasia Grenfell Stephanie M. Clark, MS Elaina Paige Thomas LOVE YALL Melissa Vincent Katy Anderson Abram S. Don Carter Donald Hawkins THANK YOU