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
Immigrant entrepreneurs need path to US now, GOP senator behind Startup Act says
Editor’s note: The following story on Jerry Moran’s Startup Act is part of a three-part series on the potential for immigrant or foreign-born entrepreneurs to help reshape Kansas City’s startup ecosystem. Read a warning from a leading Kansas City tech CEO about coming challenges within the local talent pipeline here. Check out a feature on…
CEO warning: Talent pipeline collapsing with fewer immigrants; tech training needed at home
Editor’s note: The following story on challenges within KC’s talent pipeline is part of a three-part series on the potential for immigrant or foreign-born entrepreneurs to help reshape Kansas City’s startup ecosystem. Read more about how a Kansas senator’s Startup Act legislation could reduce barriers here. Check out a feature on an immigrant entrepreneur who…
Coming to Leawood: Blade & Timber hopes to stick another win with second axe throwing space
Kansas City comes first, said Matt Baysinger. And that means providing cutting-edge experiences like Blade & Timber to folks across the metro. “As we were looking at expansion — and obviously we’re looking at cities outside of the metro and outside of Kansas — it made so much sense for us to say, ‘This is…
Pathfinder CEO switch pushes co-founder’s focus back to autism research
A leadership change at Pathfinder Health Innovations will allow its co-founder to focus on research that could change the lives of children and adults with autism, said Jeff Blackwood. Pathfinder announced Tuesday its board had appointed Tina Youngblood as chief executive officer, succeeding co-founder Blackwood to lead day-to-day operations and the strategic direction for the…
Video: ShotTracker fan app courts NAIA tourney crowds with AR experience
A new ShotTracker fan app — expected to launch today — will combine real-time analytics with augmented reality for a first-of-its-kind fan engagement opportunity at next week’s Division 1 NAIA basketball tournament, said co-founder Davyeon Ross. “We want to make the experience as great as possible for the end user,” Ross said, noting his company’s…
Axing the status quo: Swell Spark builds experiences from West Bottoms HQ
Human interaction is about more than texting and social media posts, said Matt Baysinger, co-founder and CEO of Swell Spark. “One of the best things in life is sharing a meal together, but sharing a meal together is only as good as the conversation you get to have over that meal,” Baysinger said. “If you…
Rockhurst’s Meet the Makers: Look beyond the cubicle walls
Don’t ignore magical timing within the entrepreneur community, said marketing manager-turned-children’s book author Audrey Masoner. “Kansas City is a place where anything can happen, and you really want to keep your eyes open for connections,” Masoner told a crowd gathered Wednesday for Rockhurst University’s Meet the Makers speaker series. “It’s small enough to be very…
Chef Celina Tio embraces her celebrity brand, welcomes disruptive discomfort
Sitting down to discuss her career a few hours before a Thursday evening rush at The Belfry, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Celina Tio is all business. She’s heard (and answered) every biographical question before. Yet Tio’s eyes gleam and a smile quickly spreads across her face when the conversation turns to her customers at the…
Garmin CEO reveals startup origins, tech hiring challenges, culture of innovation
It began like any other startup, said Clifton Pemble, Garmin’s sixth employee and now CEO of the $11 billion GPS tech firm. “I joined Garmin and it was literally just days later that we were gathered in a little place over at 95th and Pflumm — two rooms in a small strip mall kind of…
City gave into fear, failed the test on innovation with Airbnb vote, councilman says
Kansas City’s move Thursday to prohibit short-term rentals in large portions of the city sent a clear message to entrepreneurs with disruptive ideas and technology, Quinton Lucas said: “Not In My Backyard.” “I don’t know why a city that has so many innovators and that’s buzzing, that’s exciting — and frankly doesn’t always have…