Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

Events Preview: American Royal Tech BBQ

October 25, 2016

There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter, or curious Kansas Citian, we recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW KC Roundtable When: October 27 @ 7:30am – 9:00am Where: Eggtc KC Roundtable is in existence to provide 20 and…

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KC founders share their stories of building a great Midwest company

October 24, 2016

It’s not the flashiest locale, but the Midwest is a ripe area in which to grow a global business, a group Kansas City entrepreneurs argued Monday.   During the Kauffman Fellows summit, four Kansas City business leaders made the case that you don’t have to be on the coasts to build a thriving company. The…

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Kauffman Fellows to foster KC, Midwest investor expertise via $960K effort

October 24, 2016

In an effort to cultivate venture capitalists in the Midwest, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will award a dozen of scholarships valued at a total of $960,000 for its investor program, Kauffman Fellows. And Kansas City is set to be the biggest beneficiary. During the Kauffman Fellows’ annual summit, the foundation announced that will dish…

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Kauffman Foundation issues a challenge to grow KC accelerators

October 21, 2016

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation believes business accelerators have the opportunity to bridge a gap between capital and entrepreneurs.  That’s why the foundation announced a new grant initiative Friday that hopes to spur more accelerator-like organizations in Kansas City. And applications are now open, and proposals are due by Jan 13. Starting Nov. 16 during…

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Startland gets personal with Davyeon Ross, John Fein and Greg Kratofil

October 21, 2016

Startland News exists to share the stories of innovation that happen every day in Kansas City. But while we try our best to give you updates as they come, it is rare that all the details of the news we produce are included in the stories we publish. That’s why editor-in-chief Bobby Burch led Startland…

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How the Mighty Handle evolved from an idea to a hit product

October 21, 2016

Startland News and the Kansas City Star have partnered to publish content as part of the Star’s new special section, “Spirit.” This story will appear in the Star’s Oct. 23 Sunday edition. Not all innovation is high tech. And while the development of any particular technology is distinct, there remain consistent principles of how to…

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The Sprint Accelerator returns in 2017 with new approach

October 20, 2016

In less that 24 hours, Kansas City has learned that it will have a new pair of major accelerator programs in 2017. The Sprint Accelerator announced Thursday morning that, while it’s retained its name, the program has undergone a significant evolution that hopes to foster meaningful partnerships between startups and Kansas City corporations. Among a…

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Techstars to launch new accelerator program in Kansas City

October 19, 2016

Accelerator guru group Techstars announced Wednesday that it’s launching a new program in Kansas City after leading the Sprint Accelerator for three years with Sprint. Lesa Mitchell, a former vice president of innovation and networks for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, will serve as the managing director of the Kansas City accelerator. “We’re excited to…

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Kauffman Fellows hosting hundreds of global VCs in Kansas City homecoming

October 19, 2016

More than 200 investors and entrepreneurs from around the globe will soon converge in Kansas City as part of one of the most highly-esteemed venture capital organizations in the world. Now in its 21st year, the Kauffman Fellows program will reunite top-tier investors that hail from five continents for a reunion summit on Oct. 24…

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Darcy Howe

KCRise Fund makes first area investments in SpiderOak, Innara Health

October 19, 2016

Only a few weeks after closing on its first $10 million, the KCRise Fund announced Wednesday that it has invested in its first Kansas City-area companies. Launched in February in conjunction with the KC Rising economic initiative, the KCRise Fund is joining ongoing investment rounds in SpiderOak and Innara Health. The fund, led by Darcy…

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