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
What’s a local dollar really worth? Made in KC launches study to find hard value behind ‘shop local’ mantra
“Shop local” used to be a throwaway term for the owners of Made in KC. “We didn’t really know the true value of shopping locally. Spoiler alert: We still don’t know,” said Tyler Enders, co-founder of the local retailer and meca for makers looking to establish a distribution footprint. Now, Made in KC is cracking…
Nickel & Suede: With two stores closed, even Inc.’s ‘most successful’ companies must flex courage amid 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. Being named one of Inc. Magazine’s 250 most successful companies in…
‘Bray of Sunshine’ during dark times: Zen Donkey Farms juices light from lemons
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 few weeks ago, home delivery was just a quirky,…
Thou Mayest pivots away from panic: ‘Good goes so much farther than just bitching’
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. Today isn’t payday for Bo Nelson. But he’s still roasting…
LEANLAB: Homebound KC students need $4.6M in tech, WiFi hotspots to bridge digital divide amid Coronavirus creep
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 has long talked about the impact of a…
Facebook-bound software engineer: Senior year at MIT ‘ripped away’ by COVID-19
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 global pandemic and social distancing weren’t part of the…
No time for high fives: Grateful ChowNow sees somber sales surge as restaurants pushed to online ordering for survival
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. Takeout, curbside, no matter the name, nearly 50 Kansas City…
New in KC: Emerging epicenter for entrepreneurs out-cools East Coast for Frosty Tech arrival
Editor’s note: New in KC is an ongoing profile series that highlights newly relocated members of the Kansas City startup community, their reasons for a change of scenery, and what they’ve found so far in KC. Click here to read more New in KC profiles. Opportunities in two Missouri startup hubs easily outbid the East Coast in a fight…
Iconic KC Heart pivots to #StayHomeKC campaign after KCADC’s winning Super Bowl run
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. It’s a sign that transcends the times, said Chase McAnulty,…
Rallying relief: Millions in local stimulus dollars planned through public-private, civic efforts from Topeka to KC
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 impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on startups, small businesses and…