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
Midwest-focused M25 rolls out new venture partners across region, adding high-profile STL founder
CHICAGO — An influential venture capital firm with portfolio companies in Kansas City and across the region on Thursday announced a St. Louis serial entrepreneur as the latest venture partner joining its mission to back a new generation of Midwest unicorns. Guy Friedman, co-founder and CEO of SteadyMD, brings an invaluable founder’s perspective — plus a…
Roster filled: 32 Kansas startups march into Round 2 of tourney-style pitch competition
WICHITA — Nearly three dozen Sunflower State startups are vying for $20,000 in prize money — and courting the attention of investors — as they advance to the second round of an innovative, state-backed pitch competition set amid the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. NXTUS on Tuesday announced the initial 32 companies advancing…
Randy Wasinger wanted the 1952 Topps of NFTs; so the lifelong baseball card collector started coding (and Mark Cuban came calling)
Editor’s note: The following includes excerpts from “The Corporate Couch” podcast as part of a collaboration between host Jeff Pelaccio and Startland News to highlight Web3 companies and founders in the space. The 15-year-old boy within Randy Wasinger — so obsessed with baseball cards that he opened a card shop in downtown Russell, Kansas, to sell…
$20M project expected to remove key barrier to unlocking 18th & Vine vibrancy: parking
It’s more than just a parking garage, said Pat Jordan, revealing a plan to develop a state-of-the-art, transit-oriented parking facility in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District is about opening a gateway to the entertainment and cultural hub. “Limited parking has historically been a barrier for visitors, especially during peak hours and…
Switchyards opening ‘work club’ in historic East Crossroads space: ‘It’s an absolute stunner’
Think dive bar with deep focus, said Brandon Hinman, describing the “neighborhood work club” concept that Atlanta-based Switchyards is bringing to the East Crossroads this spring. It’s a third-space workplace with no hot desks, standalone offices, or tiered memberships. “We actually have been more inspired by working out of coffee shops, libraries, boutique hotel lobbies,”…
Topeka startup hub launches diverse entrepreneur community (with fintech help on loan from KC’s Cyphr)
TOPEKA — An initiative aimed at boosting early to mid-stage entrepreneur development in the heart of Kansas launched Friday, said Michael Odupitan, noting the effort by Topeka-based Omni Circle to redefine the startup journey — and who’s allowed to join it — comes with a Kansas City assist. “Omni’s goal is to unite and strengthen…
Kauffman-backed tech coalition gains runway (and funding) to help fill KC’s talent pipeline, leader says
A new talent-focused coalition led by the KC Tech Council envisions a reality where all of Kansas City’s tech jobs can be filled by Kansas City, said Kara Lowe, unveiling new details of an initiative made possible by the Kauffman Foundation’s new “Collective Impact” funding pathway. KC Tech Council on Friday publicly announced its employer-led…
NXTUS launches bracket-style pitch competition for Kansas startups with $20K in prizes
A new, high-energy pitch competition is expected to help startup founders collide with angel investors and innovation leaders from across Kansas — all set against the excitement of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this spring. The Gamechangers & Champions bracket bash is set for March 21 in downtown Wichita — a one-day bracket-style experience organized…
Big win for UMKC: Unlocking top tier research status gives KC new competitive edge
A new milestone for the University of Missouri-Kansas City — achieving status as Kansas City’s first Carnegie R1 research institution — is expected to help boost the region’s ability to start, grow and scale more startups, leaders said this week, emphasizing the role university-led research plays in innovation across industries and communities. “It’s absolutely massive…
Street art to stage: KC fashion designer styles iconic Jim Crow-era musical comedy without missing a beat
Designing for theater gives Whitney Manney the opportunity to be as big and loud as she wants, the street bespoke creator said. A new musical production of “Hairspray” puts Manney’s bold aesthetic through a new lens — and alongside a timely story of acceptance, diversity, and the power of music. “There is no such thing…