Austin Barnes
Recent Articles by Austin Barnes
In today’s connected world, gaming with or against relative strangers — or “friends” a player only knows from a specific game or platform — is the norm. A Kansas City startup’s new streaming venture aims to recreate old school gaming-with-friends-in-the-basement vibe in the digital world. Available on Steam for free when its beta goes live…
Read MoreA just-announced initiative — backed by the Bloch Family Foundation — has a straightforward goal: put more college advisors in Kansas City Public Schools and develop a strategic plan to boost access to quality, affordable college education or career training after high school. The newly launched Kansas City College and Career Attainment Network (KCCAN) already…
Read MoreJumping from a handful of employees to 15 over the past year has come with growing pains for Piccadilly Software Group, said co-founder Abe Dick, but the flip-side comes in the form of enhanced community presence, new office space, and greater opportunity for its signature product. The company this month announced its move to a…
Read MoreA new mural project honoring legendary baseball player Buck O’Neil not only helps capture the spirit of a Kansas City icon, artist Phil “Sike Style” Shafer said; it bridges a cross-generational legacy for the barrier-breaking sports icon. “Meeting Buck O’Neil at the K was a moment I’ll never forget,” said Shafer, a renowned Kansas City…
Read MoreSt. Louis cult favorite — gooey butter cake — serves as the springboard for a new Kansas City bakery … with a twist. It also sells gooey butter cookies. “Gooey butter cake is a St. Louis tradition. It’s where I’m from and we have the family recipe,” said Tennille Lampe, founder of Oh My Gooey…
Read MoreThe Ideem team has a clear vision for how to make two-factor authentication easy and invisible for users, serial tech entrepreneur Toby Rush said, noting an early investment round will help the rapidly emerging startup double-down. Ideem announced a $2.4 million seed round Tuesday, backed by Sovereign’s Capital, Quona Capital, Everywhere Ventures, Hustle Fund, Oread…
Read MoreIn a move that highlights Kansas City’s growing influence within the global landscape, innovation booster Craig Moore has taken on a new role with a Northwest Arkansas-based network for high-impact entrepreneurs — bringing his ecosystem-building superpowers to a broader scale. As senior manager of entrepreneur experience at Endeavor Heartland, however, Moore isn’t abandoning his roots…
Read MoreEven though the new Thai Orchid restaurant in Kansas City’s Northland proudly pays homage to the Rojjanasrirat family’s culinary legacy in Mission, its second-generation owner wants to shock the taste buds of diners who are unfamiliar with the business’ story. “I want the reaction of the people who try our food to be, ‘Wow! That’s…
Read MoreA just-announced capital infusion for Leawood-built C2FO reflects a shared commitment with global partners to boosting jobs and strengthening economic opportunities — notably for micro, small and medium enterprises in emerging markets worldwide. The $30 million funding round features investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and existing…
Read MoreKansas City’s high-profile South Loop Project — a proposed sustainable urban park capping a portion of I-670 — now has a name that pays homage to a leader who played a key role in launching the project: Roy Blunt Luminary Park. “As a working title, the South Loop Project has served us well,” said Jeff…
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