Letter from the editor: Every story starts somewhere
October 6, 2021 | Tommy Felts
Editor’s note: The following letter from Startland News’ editor in chief kicks off Startland News’ eight-week donor campaign seeking reader support for the nonprofit newsroom. Click here to donate.
Every story starts somewhere — and today we’re asking for your help to start more.
Tommy Felts, Editor in Chief, Startland News
Startland News is continuing its mission in 2022 to elevate bold, untold stories of Kansas City startups, entrepreneurs, makers, creatives, and risk-takers.
Our goal: raise $100,000 from readers and supporters to further power the community-focused, solutions-based journalism you’ve come to love and expect from us over the past 6.5 years.
The eight-week campaign went live Tuesday — National News Engagement Day — and runs through Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll reveal exclusive giveaways and offers for donors — but don’t worry, you can still give today and be eligible for these exciting rewards.
We’re happy to announce that we’ve already secured $20,000 in committed matching dollars from early donors. The first comes from KCRise Fund, a Kansas City venture capital firm, which pledged $10,000 toward our goal.
“We hope you will consider giving a gift of any dollar amount to help us support this great organization and their mission of supporting entrepreneurial efforts and the design thinking mindset that they’ve done an amazing job of growing in our region,” said Darcy Howe, founder and managing director of KCRise Fund, who pledged the match funds alongside Ed Frindt, general partner, and Caroline VanDeusen, principal.
We’ll unmask additional match donors as the campaign rolls on.
Watch a testimonial video from KCRise Fund below, then keep reading.
Startland News stories often are the start of an entrepreneur’s media story — frequently serving as the first piece of local news that covers their startup, small business, non-profit, project, or idea. With about 400 stories already published this year, that makes us one of the metro’s leading discovery platforms for new and innovative ideas and a key resource for the talented people making them a reality.
As a program of Startland — a 501(c)3 non-profit community-building organization that seeks to unlock the starter in everyone — our newsroom’s mission goes far beyond cheerleading.
By shining a spotlight on these individuals and businesses (along with their challenges, setbacks and even failures), we aim to make entrepreneurship more approachable and accessible, exposing untapped potential in Kansas City and beyond.
It all starts somewhere. And today it can start with you.
Tommy Felts,
Editor in Chief,
Startland News
2021 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
UMKC’s Bloch School announces new Dean
University of Missouri-Kansas City announced last week the appointment of a new Dean for the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Brian Klaas, Ph.D., is currently senior associate Dean for research and academics and director of the Riegel & Emory Human Resource Center at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. UMKC…
Nile Valley Aquaponics grand opening brings sustainability, hope to community
A sustainable greenhouse with the aim to empower one of Kansas City’s most underserved communities launched on Friday after two years of raising funds and preparation. With partners such as the City of Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Power and Light, Barkley and HOK, Nile Valley Aquaponics celebrated with an open house at the site…
Royal Street Ventures, Kauffman Foundation announce KC University Venture Program
The early-stage capital scene in Kansas City is getting a youthful shot in the arm. Designed to give Kansas City-area university students interested in entrepreneurship and private finance deep and real-world experience, the newly announced Kansas City University Venture Program aims to create a pipeline of experienced, young early-stage investors. Led by Royal Street Ventures…
Random act of kindness fueled by KC’s startup community goes viral
Openness, willingness, humility, diligence and kindness. These are the words that Donald Carter would use to describe Kansas City’s startup community, which he said had a profound impact on his life perspective. “(These values) are prevalent among all the people from the startup community I’ve met, which made a deep impression on me,” Carter said.…