Tommy Felts
Editor-In-Chief, Startland News
Tommy is editor-in-chief for Startland News, a Kansas City-based nonprofit newsroom that uses storytelling to elevate the region’s startup community of entrepreneurs, innovators, hustlers, creatives and risk-takers.
Under Tommy’s leadership, Startland News has expanded its coverage from a primarily high-tech, high-growth focus to a more wide-ranging and inclusive look at the faces of entrepreneurism, innovation and business.
Before joining Startland News in 2017, Tommy worked for 12 years as an award-winning newspaper journalist, designer, editor and publisher. He was named one of Editor & Publisher magazine’s top “25 Under 35” in 2014.
Recent Stories by Tommy Felts
Truss the plan: How KC’s newest hotspot could be a model for infrastructure renewal (60 feet above the Kansas River)
When Rock Island Bridge opens April 1, it’ll not only be a destination nightlife experience and river-spanning festival grounds, said Mike Zeller; the completed “bridge as land” concept is expected to serve as a first-of-its-kind redevelopment proof point that builds on uniquely Kansas City resilience and collaboration. “This is a bridge for everyone. It unites…
Meta delivers on data center investment pledge with 13 grants to KC community orgs
A just-announced grant cabled into Meta data center communities is expected to help a Kansas City-based production crew known for invention competitions to shine a national spotlight on middle school innovators from Clay and Platte counties. Make48 — a TV series that exposes the real life challenges of taking a product “from napkin design to…
MADE MOBB bags massive wholesale deal with Scheels; setting its sights on Midwest fit
MADE MOBB’s expansion throughout the Midwest — recently snaring two dozen big box sports store locations across 16 states — isn’t built on luck, said Mark Launiu. The brand hunted its own way to stand out in the crowd: and it starts with camo (that doesn’t blend in). The Kansas City-built streetwear brand on Thursday announced…
Parade of Hearts cheat code: All 150 hearts together for one day, then never again; here’s where you can find them
A public unveiling of all 150 sculptures crafted for the 2026 Parade of Hearts — displayed together April 4 for one day only before being dispersed across the region — will mark the first glimpse of tech worker-turned-“Heartist” Luke Broste’s third piece in the wildly popular, sprawling Kansas City art installation. Like the 149 other…
French-Inspired Paris Baguette bakery sets timer for downtown KC opening; B&B shutters historic theater down the block
As one high-profile set of doors closes, another is expected to open by year’s end, the Power & Light District announced Monday, teasing the late-2026 arrival of a viral scratch bakery that already has kneaded its way into Johnson County with immediate word-of-mouth success. Paris Baguette, a global franchise-based bakery with more than 4,000 locations…
MTC taps entrepreneur advocate in Missouri senate as new exec, signaling statewide policy alignment
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Technology Corporation’s drive to advance innovation across the state will lean heavily on a tone already set by Gov. Mike Kehoe, said Travis Fitzwater, pledging a border-to-border economic development strategy that aligns with broader policy goals. “It starts with having a vision that’s both achievable and big enough to…
Pipeline reveals new founder-first cohort: Meet the entrepreneurs fueling a Midwest innovation surge
With more than a dozen new members joining its fellowship, the Pipeline Entrepreneurs network is growing not only its ranks, Melissa Vincent said; the elite founder-focused program is working to ensure the best of Midwest innovation stays in the region. “We have assembled a powerful group of founders, ranging from deep-tech and life sciences in…
Pipeline plants seeds for ‘best of the best’ emerging founders: Meet its growing Pathfinder cohort
Entrepreneurs tapped for Pipeline’s latest rotation of Pathfinder programming reflect an expanded expression of the elite network’s founding principle: use a purpose-built community to close long-standing gaps for leaders who have historically lacked capital, resources, and networks. A sister program to Pipeline’s Fellowship, Pathfinder targets support to early-stage founders from underserved Midwest communities who often…
Someone will win $1M listening to this song; how a KC artist juiced MrBeast’s cryptic Super Bowl commercial
It isn’t necessarily an official clue, but one of the many easter eggs tucked within MrBeast’s just-premiered “Million Dollar Puzzle” features a Kansas City plot twist: the “epic” cut of Cheyenne Jolene’s pop-pounding single “Juice.” Launched as part of a Salesforce ad with more than 100 million Super Bowl viewers, the commercial challenges savvy audience…