Bobby Burch: ‘The mountains are calling, and I must go’ — farewell and thank you

By Tommy Felts | June 29, 2018

Editor’s Note: Startland News co-founder and editor-in-chief Bobby Burch will depart the storytelling organization at the end of July. Tommy Felts will assume leadership of Startland effective immediately. It was three-and-a-half years ago when Kansas City Startup Foundation CEO Adam Arredondo approached me with a “what if” scheme to start a publication focused on entrepreneurship.…

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Tommy Felts: How ruffled business feathers led me to Startland

By Tommy Felts | August 22, 2017

My first attempt at entrepreneurship quickly ran afowl of reality. (Now before you assume the new guy at Startland doesn’t know how to spell “afoul,” please bear with me. I’ve earned my on-the-job Dad Joke credentials through hundreds of clever — some would say eye-rolling — puns that formed the character of my best headline…

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Kauffman Foundation grants $78K to KC Startup Foundation, Startland hires managing editor

By Tommy Felts | August 22, 2017

Continuing a commitment to cultivate its hometown entrepreneurial community, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has awarded a $78,600 grant to the Kansas City Startup Foundation. The foundation’s gift helps the KCSF expand the capacity and marketing of its programs to connect, educate and tell stories about area innovators. The KCSF — which recently merged with…

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Kauffman Foundation becomes key supporter of Startland News

By Tommy Felts | November 17, 2016

I never thought I’d be here. Comfortable with a keyboard, coffee and notepad, I’ve always thought of myself solely as a journalist. After years writing about entrepreneurs, I never imaged that one day the strategies and struggles they shared would help me make sense of leading a new venture. Indeed, entrepreneurship is often glamorized. I’ll…

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