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

Barry McDonogh, CEO at Hinalea Imaging, center, shares a laugh with fellow Plug and Play Topeka cohort members on stage during the accelerator's Expo Day; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

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.

Barry McDonogh, Hinalea Imaging; photo by Austin Barnes, Startland News

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.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2025 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Follow the Leader

    ‘Follow the Leader’: Brothers bootstrapping horror movie set in abandoned KC-area mall

    By Tommy Felts | September 20, 2018

    Not enough films are being shot in Kansas City, said brothers Ben and Jacob Burghart.   “The bigger problem is not enough feature films are utilizing Kansas City’s vast talent pool,” said Jacob. “[Kansas City is trying to] shoot more now, but we want to be a part of kind of kicking into another gear.”…

    Unruh Furniture

    #MomFund: Unruh Furniture builds more than tables inside a century-old church off KC’s Main Street

    By Tommy Felts | September 20, 2018

    A table can mean stability, said Sam Unruh, founder of Unruh Furniture. It’s four legs help provide the emotional support for a home. “Growing up, my family ate together every night at the table. We all had our spots and still do to this day,” said Unruh, whose custom, made-to-order furniture business operates out of…

    Tim Barton, Jessica Renfrew, and Matt Druten, Edison Spaces

    Second Edison Spaces flexible office site designed for uncertainty of startup life

    By Tommy Felts | September 19, 2018

    Growing a startup is risky enough, said Matt Druten, co-founder of Edison Spaces — entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to worry about finding and maintaining an office. “Changes are unexpected. Nobody really knows where their company is going to be in six months,” he said. “Is my startup going to double in size? Is it going to…

    Digital crossroads

    Digital Crossroads: Techstars sees hints of KC’s future in its history as a collision point of ideas

    By Tommy Felts | September 19, 2018

    Techstars’ Oct. 11 programming during Techweek Kansas City finds inspiration in the past, Lesa Mitchell said, but it focuses on the metro’s future at a digital crossroads. “In the old days, it was called the crossroads because this was actually where all the trains were going through from Mexico to Canada, and east and west…