Convert README from RST to MD (#2401)

Co-authored-by: johan.tuls <johan.tuls@bam.com>

Author: johan-tuls

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+[<img src="https://beeware.org/project/briefcase/briefcase.png" width="72" alt="logo" />](https://beeware.org/briefcase)
+
+# Briefcase
+
+[![Python Versions](https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/briefcase.svg)](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/briefcase)
+[![PyPI Version](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/briefcase.svg)](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/briefcase)
+[![Maturity](https://img.shields.io/pypi/status/briefcase.svg)](https://pypi.python.org/pypi/briefcase)
+[![BSD License](https://img.shields.io/pypi/l/briefcase.svg)](https://github.com/beeware/briefcase/blob/main/LICENSE)
+[![Build Status](https://github.com/beeware/briefcase/workflows/CI/badge.svg?branch=main)](https://github.com/beeware/briefcase/actions)
+[![Discord server](https://img.shields.io/discord/836455665257021440?label=Discord%20Chat&logo=discord&style=plastic)](https://beeware.org/bee/chat/)
+
+Briefcase is a tool for converting a Python project into a standalone
+native application. You can package projects for:
+
+- Mac
+- Windows
+- Linux
+- iPhone/iPad
+- Android
+- Web
+
+Support for AppleTV, watchOS, and wearOS deployments is planned.
+
+## Getting started
+
+To install Briefcase, run:
+
+    $ python -m pip install briefcase
+
+If you would like a full introduction to using Briefcase, try the
+[BeeWare tutorial](https://docs.beeware.org). This tutorial walks you
+through the process of creating and packaging a new application with
+Briefcase.
+
+## Financial support
+
+The BeeWare project would not be possible without the generous support
+of our financial members:
+
+[![Anaconda logo](https://beeware.org/community/members/anaconda/anaconda-large.png)](https://anaconda.com/)
+
+Anaconda Inc. - Advancing AI through open source.
+
+Plus individual contributions from [users like
+you](https://beeware.org/community/members/). If you find Briefcase, or
+other BeeWare tools useful, please consider becoming a financial member.
+
+## Documentation
+
+Documentation for Briefcase can be found on [Read The
+Docs](https://briefcase.readthedocs.io).
+
+## Community
+
+Briefcase is part of the [BeeWare suite](https://beeware.org). You can
+talk to the community through:
+
+- [@beeware@fosstodon.org on Mastodon](https://fosstodon.org/@beeware)
+- [Discord](https://beeware.org/bee/chat/)
+- The Briefcase [GitHub Discussions
+  forum](https://github.com/beeware/briefcase/discussions)
+
+We foster a welcoming and respectful community as described in our
+[BeeWare Community Code of
+Conduct](https://beeware.org/community/behavior/).
+
+## Contributing
+
+If you experience problems with Briefcase, [log them on
+GitHub](https://github.com/beeware/briefcase/issues).
+
+If you'd like to contribute to Briefcase development, our [contribution
+guide](https://briefcase.readthedocs.io/en/latest/how-to/contribute/index.html)
+details how to set up a development environment, and other requirements
+we have as part of our contribution process.

README.rst

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Rewritten the ``README.rst`` to markdown (``README.md``) using pandoc.

changes/2378.misc.rst

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 dynamic = ["version"]
 name = "briefcase"
 description = "Tools to support converting a Python project into a standalone native application."
-readme = "README.rst"
+readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">= 3.9"
 license = "BSD-3-Clause"
 license-files = [