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
‘Kansas City Startup House’ aims to be smart home incubator
A local tech founder is transforming his Kansas City, Kan., home to eventually become the area’s next incubator program. Sports Photos founder Brandon Schatz recently launched the “Kansas City Startup Home” to host entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. While it’s now serving as an Airbnb destination for techies, Schatz said in the next…
Kauffman Foundation analyzes Kansas City’s startup growth
What does startup community success look like? Often one hears buzzwords like “vibrant,” “supportive” and “close-knit” — standards by which nearly any community can label itself successful. But since it’s nearly impossible to objectively measure those terms, a startup community’s success is instead frequently evaluated through funding and exits. That ignores the fact that most…
Events Preview: Second Fridays, WordCamp KC
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Second Fridays When: June 10 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm Where: Village Square Coworking Studio We’ll provide games & cards.…
New KC streetcar app connects riders to entertainment, nightlife
A local coding school on Thursday released a new mobile application to enable ridership on Kansas City’s popular new streetcar line. The Disruption Institute developed the “StreetcarKC” app, which helps passengers find stops along the 2.2-mile streetcar line, discover locales along the route and access schedule information. Now available only on iOS devices, the app…