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
Survey asks where sales tax funds should be invested next; EDCKC targets corridors for investment
A sales tax program meant to transform long-neglected corridors of Kansas City’s central city earned overwhelming voter support this summer, said Andrea Bough, noting renewed work to steward millions in public investment begins now — guided by the community most impacted.
Techstars pushes KC startup to sharpen long-term vision as it strengthens AI, robotics focus
A Missouri-built startup’s road trip to Alabama is paying off as it evolves into a physical AI and robotics company focused on wastewater infrastructure, said co-founder Jacob Miller, touting the early, catalytic impact of a 10-week Techstars pre-accelerator on SiteScan.
Peek inside: Made in KC debuts its Power and Light retail-cafe concept alongside Rainy Day Books
Every vibrant and healthy downtown community should have a local bookstore, said Keith Bradley, describing how the just-opened Made in KC at Power and Light fills a hole on the entertainment district’s shelf.
Royals stadium plans written in limestone; new design details put Populous placemaking on deck
A new Royals stadium built at Crown Center is expected to embed the baseball club into the foundational bedrock of the city itself for years to come — the physical expression of ballpark designer Populous’ strategy for placemaking within built and natural environments.
Rare KC hires first exec in bid to close gaps for families impacted by rare health threats
Adding a full-time executive director to lead the Rare KC initiative is expected to help the organization accelerate support and innovation around rare diseases, genetic conditions, and cancers, said Dennis Ridenour, announcing the hire as an extension of BioNexus KC’s partnership and shared regional strategies.
Hashie Awards are leaving LA as social media champions expand; their first stop: Kansas City
After more than a decade honoring the best in social media, digital campaigns and content creation within select cities, an industry advocate has opened its Hashie Awards to global submissions — with an in-person awards celebration slated for May 2027 in Kansas City.
How EZ Pedicabs’ streetcar collaboration opened a new route to connected culture, art
Launched ahead of this month’s First Friday events in the Crossroads Arts District, the “Partners in Transit” effort pairs the streetcar with homegrown EZ Pedicabs, an electric-assisted pedicab service known for its eye-catching string lights and dangling knitted hearts.
Construction pushes Goodwill’s $4M adult high school ‘from shared dream to physical reality’
A construction kickoff Wednesday at Park 39 marked an early step in Excel Center’s invitation to broader opportunities for adult high school students, said Robyn Wiens, noting the standalone space at the site of the former Westport High School could soon bring 350 students back to campus. “Our students aren’t just earning a diploma,” said…
Network Kansas exec passing CEO torch to decades-long collaborator who co-built the entrepreneur resource community
With the duo starting their jobs at Network Kansas just two weeks apart, Erik Pedersen feels like a co-founder, said Steve Radley. Now, 21 years later, the organization’s first employee is preparing to depart, leaving his longtime friend and colleague to step into the top role.
Registering momentum: Pitch winner gains traction with care support tech platform
The winning company at Thursday’s Square One small business pitch competition continues to evolve as audiences — along with patients, caregivers, and partners — get a closer look at the Kansas City-built tech platform's personalized support registries and guided planning, said Amy Steinhour.