About Startland News

Startland is an independent news magazine — capturing the hustle and grind of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the wins fueling Kansas City’s economic growth.

Since 2015, we’ve blended the rigor of a newsroom with the creativity of a magazine, amplifying the momentum of startups, small businesses, creatives, makers, and risk-takers. Our stories give context that de-risks the entrepreneurial ecosystem and documents breakthroughs, lessons learned, and what’s working on the ground — helping readers see opportunities in Kansas City and act on them.

Our mission: We believe visibility changes what’s possible. Through storytelling, we make the unseen visible, the unproven undeniable, and the unknown safer to bet on — de-risking entrepreneurial ecosystems and fueling their growth.

Watch 10 Year Anniversary Video

Our Impact

Each year, Startland News serves as a discovery platform for more than 500 founders, makers, and changemakers — delivering visibility, credibility, and millions in earned media value to underrepresented voices and overlooked sectors of our city.

of companies approached by new collaborators or ecosystem partners.

of companies reported increased customer traffic after our reporting.

of founders strengthened their commitment to their venture.

89% of companies reported increased legitimacy in the marketplace.

85% of companies gained media attention from other outlets after Startland coverage.

82% of companies saw broader brand exposure.

81% of companies grew product or service sales.

59% of companies made direct connections with funders.

52% or companies secured new funding within a year of their feature.

44% of companies joined accelerators or pipelines as a result of Startland coverage.

87% of founders believed more in their business’s success.

85% of founders felt more confident in their own ability to succeed.

92% of women-led founders stayed committed through challenges.

84% of ventures featured are still operating today.

Net Promoter Score (NPS): 81 — world-class loyalty. Industry average: 25

Our Values

Collaboration
We don’t compete — we’re all one crew. By partnering with peer outlets, we make sure untold local stories break out of silos and reach as many people as possible.
Community
We don’t just report, we show up. From block parties to boardrooms, we embed ourselves in KC’s corners so our storytelling reflects real voices and lived experiences.
Equity
Every story — and every reader — matters. We don’t just feature people, we invite them in. Our work is built so anyone can see themselves in it, access it, and pull up a seat at the table.
Representation
Our city looks different to everyone. Our reporting captures it — diverse voices, real perspectives, and communities telling their own truths.
Trust
We don’t just ask for trust, we earn it. By showing up authentically and sharing stories as they’re lived — no filter — we build bonds that last.

Our Ethics & Transparency

We play it straight. Our journalists follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics and stay out of politics, fundraising, and other games that might influence them. Funders, sponsors, or board members don’t shape our coverage — and when a story involves them, we’ll tell you upfront.

We accept support from individuals and organizations to keep this work alive, but our reporting is always independent.

Donor dollars don’t buy headlines.
Sponsored stories are labeled clearly, and major funders are listed on our site.
Anonymous gifts are rare, capped, and never allowed to sway coverage.

At the end of the day, we’re here to serve Kansas Citians — not special interests. That means transparency, accountability, and full independence in every story we tell.

Behind the scenes of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023 video shoot: Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE, and Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News reporter; photo courtesy of Social Apex Media

Corrections & Accountability

We hustle to get it right the first time — but we’re human, and mistakes happen. If you spot something off, tell us. Drop a note to news@startlandnews.com and we’ll review it right away. Confirmed corrections are updated within 24 hours.