Pipeline Innovators is back on January 24 and 25 with a brand new location and a brand new look.
This week’s Innovators Remix is bringing all the expected celebration and excitement to downtown Omaha, but with a twist that Pipeline President and CEO Joni Cobb describes as noise––noise in the very best way.
“The first day of Innovators is historically quiet, but this year we went above and beyond and scheduled two full days,” said Cobb. “We are really redoing the daytime event, taking the best of everything we see at entrepreneurial events and jamming it into one day.”
Day one, January 24, includes events like a university session, a roundtable with Center for American Entrepreneurship and 25-30 entrepreneurs, and VIP speed networking with the new Pipeline class.
Jen Amis, President and CEO of Encounter Telehealth and a Pipeline entrepreneur (she’s also up for an award on Friday night), is hosting the VIP speed networking event. It’s described as a “brand new event designed by Pipeline members to bring us together for an intimate and VIP evening the night before the public event action.”
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Attendees will get to mix and mingle with entrepreneurs, meet the new 2019 Fellows before they are announced, and get to know Pipeline National advisors, judges and more from coast to coast.
“Members asked for more opportunities to connect and engage with fellows, advisers, and anyone who is really interested in Pipeline,” said Amis. “It’s an opportunity not to bring not just new fellows together with existing members, but also entrepreneurs who are a part of the community.”
Day two of the event will feature a segmented daytime schedule hosted by Pipeline DJs and emcees, and is “the day to see everyone in one place, hear from inspiring entrepreneurs and experts and have meaningful conversations in one spot.”
Carlos “Los” Fernandez, CEO and CRO of Clutch Studio is one of Friday’s emcees. He said he’ll be bringing the theme of passion to his portion of the day.
“Being the entrepreneur that I am, I’m a zero or 100 type of guy,” said Fernandez. “One of the big things that I’ll be showing off on the passion theme is a big tattoo of the Pipeline logo on my arm.”
Fernandez said Pipeline is one of the biggest things in his life, aside from his own family and seven children. He’s proud to bring that energy to Omaha this week.
“The one thing I’m really adamant about is #mifamiliapipeline,” said Fernandez. “If you haven’t been a part of Pipeline or heard of Pipeline, make sure to reach out to us while we’re in Omaha.”
Cobb said that the organizers’ goal this year was to create an environment where attendees don’t dare leave to take a phone call.
“We’re doing everything in our power to make that impossible to do,” said Cobb.
By bringing Innovators to Nebraska this year, new people have been brought to the table, including new sponsorships from Scott Foundation and Todd Simon of Omaha Steaks.
Chuck Norris, co-founder and Managing Director of Nelnet, said that Pipeline is really working to create an entrepreneurial core in the Midwest that combines and engages all ecosystems, rather than holding up each ecosystem individually. Nelnet in turn sponsors Pipeline and provides support whenever they can.
“What Pipeline brings to the table is building the ecosystem,” said Norris. “We’re a part of that ecosystem and want to make sure it’s solid.”
Norris said that Midwest investors need deal flow, and entrepreneurs need investors. The Midwest should think of themselves as a whole that can lean on one another to create a more vibrant ecosystem.
“All the way from Chicago to the front range, Minneapolis all the way to Texas,” said Norris. “The entrepreneurial ecosystem is a lot bigger than any one Midwest city.”
For more information on Pipeline Innovators or to buy tickets, visit pipelineinnovatorawards.com.
