Tommy Felts
Editor-In-Chief, Startland News
Tommy is editor-in-chief for Startland News, a Kansas City-based nonprofit newsroom that uses storytelling to elevate the region’s startup community of entrepreneurs, innovators, hustlers, creatives and risk-takers.
Under Tommy’s leadership, Startland News has expanded its coverage from a primarily high-tech, high-growth focus to a more wide-ranging and inclusive look at the faces of entrepreneurism, innovation and business.
Before joining Startland News in 2017, Tommy worked for 12 years as an award-winning newspaper journalist, designer, editor and publisher. He was named one of Editor & Publisher magazine’s top “25 Under 35” in 2014.
Recent Articles by Tommy Felts
Booch! (There it is): Tea-Biotics pours onto 39th Street with its first Missouri kombucha taproom
The “booch” biz is booming and Tea-Biotics Kombucha is bottling growth with its first taproom in Missouri. “We’re really pleased to be growing and also seeing new people, locals, coming in all the time,” said Lauren Klein, who oversees day-to-day operations at the kombucha startup’s latest taproom — the first to be brewed outside of…
First look: WeWork Lightwell illuminates space for growing teams downtown (Photos)
Despite national headlines that question WeWork’s staying power, a second Kansas City location signals light at the end of the tunnel for the coworking giant. “The expectation of the workforce is changing,” Erik Wullschleger, WeWork community director, explained during a Startland News tour of the newly opened space, which occupies the third and fourth floors…
Three months’ rent in 24 hours: How Chiefs’ Super Bowl run already MADE one brand’s 2020
Super Bowl Sunday was a holy time for members of the MADE MOBB, but it was hardly a day of rest for the team behind Kansas City’s most iconic streetwear brand. After prepping the custom T-shirt press in the back of MADE’s Crossroads storefront late Saturday — in hopes of a new, limited drop celebrating…
Chiefs’ victory parade forces TEDxKC to call an audible, move sold-out event to June
The sold-out return of TEDxKC will see a delay of game, as organizers push the popular event back four months to make room for the Kansas Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade and rally Wednesday. “For a couple of weeks, we have been doing the calculus on what we would do if the Chiefs won the…
LaborChart builds its value with ‘robust’ Series A capital injection from Five Elms
A recently closed injection of growth and scale capital will help Kansas City-based LaborChart strengthen its team, expand the company’s market position and accelerate domestic and international growth, said Ben Schultz. The move — finalized in the final days of 2019 and announced Thursday — is expected to jolt the team from a headcount in…
Techstars turn up: Atlanta accelerates inspiration for Roy Scott’s Healthy Hip Hop
When the Kansas City Chiefs kick off Super Bowl Sunday in Miami, avid fan and Arrowhead Stadium regular Roy Scott will be cheering from his temporary home in Atlanta. “It’s incredible what the Chiefs are doing for Kansas City — it’s a really exciting time,” an all-smiles Scott said Tuesday from the Peach State where…
It’s official: ‘Shark Tank’ casting call coming Feb. 21 to Kansas City’s 18th & Vine District
The TV show that helped make investing in wild and innovative startup ideas a household conversation is looking for new talent and opportunities in Kansas City. ABC’s “Shark Tank” is planning an official casting call 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Friday, Feb. 21 at the OHUB.KC Ecosystem Lab in the historic 18th & Vine District….
Two KC edtech startups just won $50K each, tickets to OHUB’s demo day at SXSW
Opportunity Hub pulled out the big checks Friday, awarding two Kansas City edtech startups with $50,000 each as the accelerator nears its culmination at SXSW in March. Three winners from outside KC are expected to establish a presence in the metro as part of their awards. Boddle — led by co-founders Clarence Tan and Edna…
2020 Startups to Watch: United American Hemp aims for ‘perpetual harvest’ with Midwestern nice
Editor’s note: Startland News selected 10 Kansas City firms to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. The following is one of 2020’s companies. Click here to view the full, ranked list of Startups to Watch. United American Hemp is cultivating one of the region’s largest genetics operations just outside Louisburg, but the emerging startup’s competitive…
10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020
Their hustle is fierce — their stories, strategies and strengths uncommon. The future newsmakers rounding out Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2020 list are hungry to disrupt. They’re eager to drive and inspire innovation in industries under-explored or altogether forgotten. They’re creating awareness; offering sustainable solutions to everyday problems. These are startups…