LISTEN: Founder on his third startup shares his ‘toilet test’ for culture, talks the lonely eship rollercoaster from Ireland to Topeka
August 29, 2025 | Austin Barnes
On this episode of Startland News’ new Plug and Play Topeka founder podcast series, we chat with Barry McDonogh — CEO of Hinalea Imaging — to uncover how cutting-edge hyperspectral imaging is changing the way industries see the world.
From food safety and agriculture to pharmaceuticals and defense, Hinalea’s technology reveals the invisible — capturing data far beyond the limits of the human eye. And along the way, we’ll hear how McDonogh has learned a range of lessons about being a founder, and how to build alongside the right kind of team.
Recorded live at the Plug and Play Animal Health & AgTech Expo in Topeka, this episode continues Startland News’ 12-part series on the founders transforming the future of animal health and agtech — and putting Topeka on the map as a national innovation hub.
Listen to a teaser below or click here for the full podcast episode.
Featured Business

2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Rescue florists give new life to leftover flowers; nonprofit just needs 6-inch stems and someone to surprise
Impact is growing again for an initiative that sends recycled floral arrangements — flowers otherwise headed for the trash after events — to homebound Kansas City seniors. Volunteer-run Unexpected Blooms recently celebrated its sixth birthday, after being forced to take a pause when the pandemic stalled many large gatherings from which they sourced flowers, shared…
Poio’s chef-owner lets go of his popular KCK restaurant: ‘I’m still learning how to relax’
Carlos Mortera struggled with the idea of not working all hours of the waking day, he shared, explaining that this subconscious guilt is sometimes known as “immigrant shame.” “Being a first-generation [American], you see all the sacrifices your parents made to get you to this country. Because of their sacrifices, you feel like you should…
Chat GPT isn’t an AI superhero, founder says, but with the right context this new tech can save the day for businesses
An emerging Kansas City entrepreneur hopes to train businesses on how they can harness the power of Chat GPT to gain a competitive advantage, he said. Learning how to effectively utilize Chat GPT — an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI and recently introduced into the market — can benefit all companies by streamlining operations…
KC’s sports business icons joining the roster for Junior Achievement Hall of Fame
A Super Bowl win and the NFL Draft turned Kansas City into a sports haven, said Megan Sturges Stanfield, so it’s only fitting that the latest laureates to join Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame reflect not only a passion for athleticism and their hometown — but translating opportunity into entrepreneurial success. Among the new…

