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
Made in KC opens beachy JoCo café Outta The Blue — complete with indoor palm trees and tropical drinks
In an era of online ordering, curbside delivery and quick departures, Made in KC’s latest concept — a breezy beach café in Leawood — envisions an oasis where Kansas Citians swing by, but stay, for local coffee, natural wines, hard-to-find tropical cocktails, and vegan sandwiches from Mattie’s. “We’re not quite a full-on restaurant experience with this…
How Zaarly’s ‘gruesome’ shutdown led to a $2.6M task for Bo Fishback (Hint: It began with a mysterious overseas email)
Two months after announcing “the final chapter” of Zaarly, the Kansas City startup’s founder and 12-member team have joined a fast-growing international tech company — bringing the overseas brand to the U.S. via Zaarly’s existing footprint and expertise. “There’s no other company in the world with more shared origin DNA to Zaarly,” Bo Fishback, founder…
Five KC startups find home, validation in Techstars 2021 class; Up next: new markets
Joining the latest class of Techstars Kansas City is expected to help startups like afloat scale what’s worked in Kansas City into other markets, said Sarah-Allen Preston, founder of a KC gift-sending app that connects users’ social circles, communities, and businesses. “Being selected for Techstars is a great validation for afloat’s momentum after a year…
Max Kaniger, Kanbe’s Markets named ‘changemaker’ by Triscuit, earning $50K grant
A Kansas City nonprofit leader is among the inaugural “changemakers” selected for a $50,000 grant as part of Triscuit’s $1 million commitment to its Missing Ingredients Project. Maxfield Kaniger, CEO and founder of Kanbe’s Markets, was announced for the honor Tuesday with funds expected to support Kanbe’s unique and innovative community-based micro market program, which…
‘Resilient’ KC keeps adding jobs: How local tech companies can retain top talent amid hiring frenzy
Kansas City is adding tech jobs at a rapid pace, Kara Lowe said, but local companies would be wise to remember they aren’t the only ones hiring as the workforce redefines the geography of and need for high-density tech hubs. “Say you’re casting a wide net to catch top talent outside of Kansas city —…
How a $290M investment from Insight Partners is expected to accelerate Kansas govtech company’s expansion
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. A…
She’s bringing a selfie studio to Zona Rosa; Why India Wells-Carter says ‘Do it scared, but do it anyway’
A limited-run attraction in the Northland is set to offer India Wells-Carter a snapshot of what startup life could look like longterm. “This feels safer,” Wells-Carter said, expressing a healthy mix of fear, relief, and confidence about the test run for her new venture:Fresh Factory KC, a selfie experience set to launch May 29 —…
Far from fenced-in city life: Rural Missouri camel rancher takes a trail less ridden
After 35-plus years ranching camels at the foot of the Ozarks, Rod Malchow expressed no regrets about spending more than half his life with exotic animals on a remote Missouri farm — often seeing only his wife, sister and neighbors unless traveling to events offering camel rides. “If I fell over dead tomorrow, I’d have…
Reimagined Lightwell ready to take innovation hub mantle as KC’s tech talent return to the office
A steady stream of foot traffic flows beneath the Lightwell building’s signature feature — a winding overhead natural light design that spans nearly a city block — as employees returning to the workplace help the iconic downtown Kansas City landmark assume its new identity: 21st century innovation hub. “A lot of people will talk about…
North KC’s Brewkery pours new line of alcoholic kombucha, tapping brand’s inner spirits
“Hard” doesn’t mean adding a boozy bite at the expense of flavor or natural ingredients, said Amy Goldman, announcing a new line of hard kombucha now available exclusively at The Brewkery’s North Kansas City taproom. “We’ve all seen the trend toward low-calorie, low-sugar, and more sessionable drinks. The Brewkery opted to do it our way…