Pipeline, a Kansas-based entrepreneurial fellowship, announced earlier this month that it will unveil its 2012 class — the program’s first regional class — and recognize the top entrepreneur from its 2011 class at its Innovator of The Year (IOTY) event on Jan. 26 in Overland Park, Kan. The event also marks Pipeline’s fifth anniversary.
The event’s schedule starts at 9 a.m. and runs through the evening’s banquet/IOTY ceremony, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The day portion features a competition for the Innovator of the Year, a gathering of the program’s alumni and mentor community, discussions with national leaders about trends and strategies for entrepreneurs and plenty of networking. The evening features more networking and a multi-media dinner event showcasing the entire Pipeline network.
Registration is now open and can be completed on the IOTY’s Eventbrite page. Tickets for the evening event, which cost $175 for individuals and $1,750 for tables, also ensure their holders access to the IOTY competition. People without tickets to the evening event may have the opportunity to attend the competition, but space will be limited.
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Regional expansion and 2012 class
As we reported this spring, Pipeline expanded its focus from Kansas to a larger region — it now includes Missouri and Nebraska — with the help of an $800,000 challenge grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The application process for the program’s first regional class closed Oct. 24. The first round of interviews for that class were conducted earlier this month, and the final round of interviews will take place Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
Innovator of The Year event
This year, “Innovator of the Year” will also highlight the creativity and artistry of entrepreneurs during the evening event, entitled “One Night. One Canvas. Unlimited Expression.” To highlight the artistic side of its entrepreneurs, Pipeline will bring together some of the region’s best artists with Pipeline entrepreneurs to produce a creative and collaborative event.
Peter and Kate Brown are serving as honorary chairs for this year’s IOTY event. Dr. Alfred and Charmain Botchway and Dr. Nicholas Franano and his wife, Lorie Whitaker, will serve as general co-chairs. More information about IOTY can be found at pipelineioty.com.
