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
$26K in prizes: Sidelined students pitch entrepreneurial empathy in COVID-19 virtual competition
Editor’s note: STARTLAND is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced independently by Startland News’ non-profit newsroom. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News A month ago, few students could’ve imagined pitching real-world solutions to COVID-19 challenges in front of a panel of Kansas City celebrity judges,…
Dapper rapper, ‘SNL’ star, top CEOs join student pitch competition as KC celebrity judges
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. STARTLAND is the parent organization of Startland News, though this report was produced…
Already slashed to $1M, MTC funding for startups, innovation centers could hinge on COVID-19
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. A years-long effort to scale back Missouri’s funding for startup investment — coupled…
Lattes by day, cocktails by night: Apogee climbs past obstacles for approachable escape (and pizza)
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Thirsty, COVID-wary customers won’t find apathy tucked away in a modern, outdoor-inspired…
Upper Crust bakery’s recipe for reopening: Embrace a sweet new piece of the retail pie
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Behind a rustic “closed” sign, empty display cases and a lonely pie…
Inside Flashcube: Plexpod reveals new downtown luxury coworking, coliving concept
Plexpod is planning another coworking hub along the KC Streetcar line — this time in a downtown luxury apartment building that will be one of Kansas City’s first coliving communities. Featuring two floors of new office and coworking space, Plexpod Flashcube is already under construction within Flashcube, 720 Main St. — a nearly all-glass-facade apartment building…
UMKC contest awards $35K+ to winners, feeds student-community innovation
One startup’s winnings from Friday’s Regnier Venture Creation Challenge are expected to have a near-immediate, tangible impact on Kansas City — helping Kanbe’s Markets provide produce in one of its corner markets for an entire year. “This means that about 4,500 people will have consistent access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food on Kansas City’s…
Flexy gets flexible in a newly all-virtual fitness world, but says there’s no substitute for in-person connections
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. If COVID-19 has a silver lining for Aja James and Mallory Jansen,…
Pitch & Pint: KC Collective unveils founders competing in real-time April 30 pitch event
While COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the globe, Kansas City entrepreneurs already are proving their resiliency, said Donald J. Hawkins. “They’re still grinding, iterating, and finding ways to make things happen,” said Hawkins, co-organizer of the KC Collective founder network, as well as co-founder of Griffin. “In addition to working on their own businesses, they’re diving…
MTC forced to surrender entire $2.9M budget — including funds already awarded to startups — to help MO pay for COVID-19 shortfall
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. A critical funding tool for Missouri startups could become the latest casualty…