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
LaunchKC, Brush Creek unveil InsureTech accelerator led by longtime startup advocate
The latest LaunchKC-powered industry accelerator aims to bring a new wave of technology Kansas City’s insurance community, said Nathan Kurtz. “There’s a rich heritage of insurance in Kansas City,” said Kurtz, COO of Brush Creek Partners, announcing the bcp tech InsurTech Accelerator, which teams Brush Creek with TechAssure and LaunchKC. “Brush Creek’s purpose is to…
Murals by Sike Style, JT Daniels paint ‘One KC’ across state line, Plexpod locations
Economic momentum in the Kansas City region has never been stronger — no matter which side of the state line a business operates, Gerald Smith said. A colorful pair of murals now splash that reality across two of the veteran entrepreneur’s Plexpod locations. Reflecting a border war “truce” — called in August between the governors of…
Ben Jackson named to Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list, capping year of growth, accolades for Bungii
Building something cool requires doing a lot of uncool things — tasks and tactics most people are unwilling to undertake, said Ben Jackson. “The daily grind isn’t glamorous and it’s not fun,” said Jackson, co-founder of Overland Park-headquartered Bungii and an honoree on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for consumer technology. “Success is a matter…
Hemp startup founders cultivate Year Round partnership in light of growing interest
A casual supply run produced more than equipment for United American Hemp; the team behind the Olathe startup walked away co-owners of another new venture. “We hit it off and invested both time and money in [the] business. … Since then [its] exploded in revenue,” Michael Wilson, director of research and development at United American…
Crafting a side hustle? Your motivation better be more than money, advises Royals broadcaster-turned-podcast host
Any idea is possible with a little passion behind it — so long as there’s a why, explained Joel Goldberg. “When you start everything with, ‘What, where, when, why and how,’ and you answer those questions or ask someone to help you answer those questions … [there’s no limit to] how far you’ll go,” Goldberg, veteran…
Two startup support programs helped Lelex Prime score Fountain Innovation Fund’s first investment
An interconnected, resource-rich startup ecosystem is paying off for Lelex Prime — contributing to the fast-growing artificial intelligence company’s development and boosting its chances to win the Fountain Innovation Fund’s first cash infusion, said Brendan Reilly. “The Digital Sandbox helped us land this investment,” said Reilly, co-founder and principal at Lelex Prime, which joined the…
Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael Rea says building a startup takes a ‘strong stomach’
The road to startup success isn’t a clear path for anyone, acknowledged Michael Rea, and it takes a founder’s persistence to reach his or her desired destination. “Many people set out on an entrepreneurial journey, but few complete it,” Rea, founder and CEO of Rx Savings Solutions, told a crowd gathered Friday night for the…
Launch Health check-up: Spoke Health aims to give consumers value-based choices in care
Editor’s note: The following is part of a series of stories on the six cohort companies of the Launch Health Accelerator, powered by Nueterra Capital and sponsored by LaunchKC. Click here to read all the stories published in this series. Medical experiences are taxing — Spoke Health aims to cut the stress and give patients…
Launch Health check-up: Healium by StoryUp leverages new connections to stress its healing power
Editor’s note: The following is part of a series of stories on the six cohort companies of the Launch Health Accelerator, powered by Nueterra Capital and sponsored by LaunchKC. Click here to read all the stories published in this series. More than a million dollars in funding and a relationship with the founder of Tinder…
Launch Health check-up: Sickweather uses accelerator to diagnose its startup progress
Editor’s note: The following is part of a series of stories on the six cohort companies of the Launch Health Accelerator, powered by Nueterra Capital and sponsored by LaunchKC. Click here to read all the stories published in this series. Just because your company’s been around the block doesn’t mean you’re done learning, said Laurel…