Letter from the editor: Help us Give A Start to KC innovators
October 6, 2020 | Tommy Felts
Editor’s note: The following kicks off Startland News’ Give A Start — an eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate.
It’s a big day. Startland News is launching its first-ever donor campaign — asking our readers to join in financially supporting a nonprofit newsroom that’s helped elevate Kansas City entrepreneurs for more than five years.
Tommy Felts, Startland News
We’re calling it Give A Start.
The eight-week campaign runs today — National News Engagement Day — through Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.
Independent newsrooms are more important than ever. Startland News now is a team of three full-time journalists, posting about 40 articles a month — nearly half of them about underserved or underrepresented entrepreneurs.
We’re shining a spotlight on Kansas City innovation with solutions-based, human-focused storytelling — as well as showcasing resiliency in a pandemic-struck world.
Click here to donate to keep Startland News scaling its storytelling.
Kansas City starts companies.
We start covering them.
Startland News is proud to be a discovery platform for a broad range of startups, disruptors, creatives, makers and risk-takers. Our readers value being among the first to learn about the bold new ideas fueling Kansas City businesses.
For the entrepreneurs and innovators themselves, an article in Startland News often helps lay the media groundwork for credibility and exposure to an audience of peers and potential customers and investors. We’re frequently the first step in getting covered by a national publication, gaining industry attention or landing a game-changing investment.
It’s about giving a start — but also context.
We must explore critically the challenges and even failures that go hand-in-hand with creativity and innovation. Learning from those setbacks — and inspiring others to keep pushing forward or make their own start — is key to strengthening Kansas City for generations to come.
In short: Your support will help us dig deeper.
Give what you can. Give A Start.
A monthly or one-time gift to Startland News (in whatever amount feels right) can help us keep our momentum moving alongside the people we cover — from solopreneurs and artists to startup founders with hundreds of workers — amplifying the stories of Kansas City innovation.
Today is Tuesday. Just another day, but for many entrepreneurs, it’s the start of a journey they’re counting on Startland News to share.
Give A Start and be part of their story.
— Tommy Felts,
editor, Startland News
2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Digital Sandbox KC secures $450K to support startups’ prototyping, proof-of-concept needs
As Digital Sandbox KC marks its 10th year in 2024, the popular funding program — and a key marker of emerging success for young tech startups in Kansas City — has earned a new round of financial backing from the State of Missouri. Spread over three years, a $450,000 MOBEC (Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity) project grant…
Mayor: ‘KC is on fire’ (and the city needs to keep turning up the heat); Lucas urges investment ahead of World Cup, major events
Kansas City, Missouri, is its strongest fiscal position ever, said Mayor Quinton Lucas, emphasizing the city’s potential to capitalize on that economic stability — coupled with headline-grabbing national attention thanks to the Chiefs — to tackle a range of concerns facing entrepreneurs and workers. Opportunities for investment, growth, redevelopment and crime prevention for small businesses are…
Looking for the right exit? Driven founders first must know their startup’s destination
Setting an exit goal early is crucial when founding a startup, shared Robert Zhou, a Kansas City serial entrepreneur-turned-angel investor. “Every startup I mentor, I ask the founder this from Day 1: ‘What’s your goal?’” he explained. “‘Are you trying to build a business that you ultimately sell for $10 million? Is it $1 million?…
Digital Health KC awarded $311K grant with goal to add 70+ jobs, $6M+ in wages across region
Newly announced funding from the Missouri Technology Corporation is expected to boost a regional initiative that aims to open greater access to critical capital and partnerships for Kansas City area companies in a rapidly emerging industry. BioNexus KC — a catalyst for innovation in animal and human health — has received a $311,000 MOBEC (Missouri…