Austin Barnes
Executive Editor, Startland News
Austin is a growth-focused business strategist with deep roots in media and storytelling. As executive editor, he leads Startland’s revenue generation, partnership strategy, and market expansion— aligning mission-driven journalism with scalable business models.
With over a decade of experience spanning media, brand development, and strategic communications, Austin has helped grow Startland’s reach beyond Kansas City, launching new monetization efforts and driving engagement with more than 700,000 readers each year. His work bridges entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable growth —positioning Startland as a national model for community-centered media.
Recent Articles by Austin Barnes
Rewriting the playbook: Team Cura positions Gen-Z student-athletes for ‘college of their dreams’
For student-athletes playing the long game with their academic and athletic careers, Team Cura enhances scholarship odds and increases college readiness, said Rob Hughey, detailing an online training program that exercises professionalism like a muscle. “We want to make the process really streamlined,” said Hughey, who co-founded the Kansas City-based startup alongside his mother, Karen…
Toddlers and baristas: MY Play Cafe bets on playground coffee shop concept in Lee’s Summit
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, Tiffany Kim said, recalling a trip to Las Vegas that inspired her to roll the entrepreneurial dice back home in Kansas City — despite a raging pandemic. “I call it the most relaxing day of my motherhood career,” laughed Tiffany, co-founder of Lee’s Summit-based MY Play Cafe, recalling…
Pressed for cash: Ruby Jean’s gifted $10K second shot with new nonprofit’s debut grant
Three months after its founding, one of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial support organizations might have just saved Ruby Jean’s Juicery from closing its doors for good. “It’s amazing to see a dream come true and really get it done,” said Christoper Stewart, board president and founding member of Generating Income For Tomorrow (GIFT) — a newly…
Thirsty for growth: Freshly rebranded Smart Beverage doubles team, expects $2M+ revenue boost
If pivots pour progress, Luke Einsel’s glass is full, the entrepreneur said, announcing a rebrand for Thirsty Coconut and new partnerships that could drive revenue through the roof for the frozen and chilled beverage distributor. “We’ve really gone through and got our processes right and we have a repeatable, scalable model that works in Kansas…
Back-to-basics innovation: How two former vegetarians revived a 5,000-year-old pig breed in the hills of Platte County
First comes a sudden rustling of leaves, followed by soft grunting and the patter of dozens of unseen hoofed feet hitting the Platte County earth. A stampede of 30 pubescent Meishan piglets darts out of a wooded area at the base of a rolling hill covered in native plants, legumes and organic maize. “They look…
Behind the scenes of Topeka’s innovation district: Why leaders think a new startup hub is rising west of KC
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. Silicon…
Fashion (role) models: How Love Spot KC’s simple statement tees inspire more than words
One of Kansas City’s latest apparel companies isn’t just another T-shirt shop — it’s a Black-owned, woman-owned empowerment engine that even a global pandemic hasn’t shaken, said Courtnee White. “A business that is showing diversity in women, I think that’s a huge thing,” White, owner of the Love Spot KC, said of the brand’s mission to…
Trio of KC fintech startups named finalists in Wichita-based NXTSTAGE pilot competition
Three emerging fintech startups with Kansas City ties have found new entrepreneurial support southwest of the metro. Griffin, Destiny, and Bellwethr were announced as finalists in the Wichita-based, NXTSTAGE Pilot Competition, Wednesday — an effort designed to propel early-stage companies to the next stage of startup growth, largely through mentorship and connections to companies and regional…
KCMO digital equity effort aimst to boost remote learning, work access for families, entrepreneurs
Economically distressed neighborhoods in Kansas City are at a bigger disadvantage than ever before, Rick Usher said, urging residents to combat digital inclusion as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend the way Kansas Citians learn and work. “Today, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to social distance in ways that include remote work and distance…
Ag giant Cargill teams with Plug and Play for new Topeka accelerator, set to debut in fall
TOPEKA — Corporate food and agriculture giant Cargill has inked a deal with Plug and Play to serve as founding partner for its animal health and agtech accelerator program in Topeka. The companies announced the news Wednesday, firming up details surrounding the launch of the long-awaited accelerator — first announced in September 2019 and originally slated to…