Pipeline fellow Ben Vu, SkyVu co-founder and CEO, accepts the organization’s Innovator of the Year award.

Pipeline, the Kansas-based entrepreneurial fellowship program for high-growth entrepreneurs, tonight held its annual awards celebration, Innovator of the Year. Nearly 600 individuals attended the sold out event at The Midland theater in Kansas City, Mo. 

Battle Bears creator Ben Vu (left, middle) of Omaha earned the event’s highest honor, “Innovator of the Year,” one of four awards handed out from the stage.

“This year has been tremendous both in terms of my company growth, as well as my experience becoming part of the Midwest’s most exciting group of entrepreneurs,” Vu said in a written statement today.

Vu, who stood out among the year’s 12 fellows, was selected following a competition that included a refined business plan, a pitch to a panel of judges and a score carried over from performance during the fellowship year.

“I think I speak for all of us in the 2012 class when I say we are grateful that this expansion allowed us all to become part of something so special,” Vu said.

Tonight’s event, as Vu noted, contained a new element for Pipeline – it marked the completion of Pipeline’s first regional class. In 2012, the program expanded beyond its original borders of Kansas to admit entrepreneurs in Missouri and Nebraska, as well.

“When we have this opportunity to all gather together – filling a stage with entrepreneurs now from three states – you can imagine that you are applauding the very group of entrepreneurs who will inevitably shake up the Midwest – and will do it together,” Pipeline president and CEO Joni Cobb said in a written statement.

Before the night ended, Pipeline named its new class of fellows – 13 in all, hailing from 10 cities across three states – that would participate in its year-long program.

• Dave Alburty, InnovaPrep and AlburtyLab Inc. (Drexel, Mo.)
• Ben Blecha, Ace Ortho Solutions (Benkelman, Neb.)
• Leandro Castro, Multimech RD (Omaha)
• Alexandros Cavgalar, Ulterius Technologies (Wichita, Kan.)
• Abigail Cohen, Sparo Labs (St. Louis, Mo.)
• Keith Entzeroth, instin (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Paul Jarrett, Bulu Box (Lincoln, Neb.)
• Matt Medlock, PaySAFE (Omaha)
• Scott Pribyl, eNovation (Kansas City, Kan.)
• Rob Rhodes, InjuReplay (Lincoln, Neb.)
• Joshua Sestak, Orion BioScience (Lawrence, Kan.)
• Dennis Steinman, Iron Mountain Products (Lecompton, Kan.)
• Patrick Stoddart, Revdel (Kansas City, Mo.)

In addition, Pipeline also recognized four individuals with three awards:

Entrepreneurial Leadership Award: National Advisor Chris Bernard (Microsoft) and Pipeline Partner Trish Brasted (Wichita Technology Corporation)

In order for Pipeline entrepreneurs to succeed – and for Pipeline to thrive as a tool for that success – we need the involvement of leaders who contribute in a very meaningful way. Such contributions may be through consistent mentoring, strategic investment, or working to expand the impact of our program for the greater entrepreneurial region.

Member Growth Award: Bruce Ianni, Innovadex

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.

Member Inspiration Award: Jason Tatge, Farms Technology

Pipeline is about the many entrepreneurs within it – both working hard to individually to succeed in building a high impact company, while simultaneously aspiring to help each other and Pipeline as we strive to be more successful and supportive as a group. This award recognizes outstanding contributions by a Pipeline Member to the organization and the many peers within it.

Note: Silicon Prairie News is a media sponsor of Pipeline’s Innovator of the Year event.

Credits: Photo courtesy of Pipeline.