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
First house of mouse: Reanimating Walt Disney’s KC film studio closer to reality than ever before
A decades-long project to honor Walt Disney and empower imaginative thinking along Kansas City’s east side could finally be on track for completion, said Butch Rigby. “The idea for that building is the kid from over on 31st and Troost looks up and understands the Walt Disneys of the world came from that very corner,”…
OYO Fitness set a $30K goal for pre-sales — they’ve passed $1M in just a week
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Fresh innovation is working out for OYO Fitness, as the Kansas City-based…
Pivot to programming: Prime Digital Academy sees opportunity in COVID-19 disruption
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. A little over a year after its Kansas City launch, Prime Digital…
Reopening with limits: People Count app tracks number of customers in stores, gyms, restaurants
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Kansas City is nearing its attempt at an economic rebound and TileFive…
‘Something in the Air You Breathe’: Punk brand hopes message about toxic negativity isn’t lost in COVID-19 fog
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. One of Kansas City’s newest apparel brands is set to launch its…
Former Kansas governor: Time to disrupt is now — starting with cyber attacks on remote workers, government
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. As the Kansas City region recovers from the impact of a global…
‘I think I’m gonna make it’: How a pizza pivot could keep Fattyhead Keto Crust bringing in the dough through pandemic
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. The new decade brought promise for Laura Manivong as an early stage…
Techstars Startup Weekend returns to fight COVID-19 … the caveat? It starts now
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Techstars Startup Weekend is adding new programming in the era of Coronavirus…
Charlie Hustle restarts ‘Heart of KC’ give-back effort with plan to produce 100K face masks
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Production of the famed KC Heart tee has stopped in the wake…
Nowhere to trim: Emptied salons, independent contractors feel cut out of relief funds with few options
Editor’s note: The following is part of Startland News’ ongoing coverage of the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Kansas City’s entrepreneur community, as well as how innovation is helping to drive a new normal in the ecosystem. Click here to follow related stories as they develop. Critical mistakes in the first round of government aid for small businesses…