Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

Facing his daughter’s near-death sparked life in George Brooks’ business

January 27, 2016

Nine years ago, Avalie was born. My first kiddo. She had already had a number of procedures in the womb to address the cyst growing in her chest and neck. An emergency C-section eight weeks early brought her into a world of tubes, ventilators, needles and an entire staff of amazing nurses and doctors trying…

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Arredondo: The Economist documentary, recent press great for Kansas City

January 26, 2016

It’s no secret that I’m a total homer for Kansas City. I truly believe that we have the opportunity and ability to become a world-class, 21st-century city. With that being said, I’ve been known to hyperbolize when it comes to the promise I see in Kansas City. But recently, our city has sold itself with…

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Is 2016 the last year for Kansas’ angel tax credits?

January 26, 2016

A popular investor tax credit program in Kansas is likely to sunset after 2016 thanks in part to a budgetary crisis that’s forcing the Sunflower State to broadly tighten its financial belt. Launched in 2005, Kansas Angel Investor Tax Credit Program offers a 50 percent income tax credit to qualified angel investors that invest up…

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Kansas City’s “Home for Hackers” finds new ownership

January 26, 2016

The new owner of Kansas City’s “Home for Hackers” is planning to further the legacy of the program that has brought dozens of techies to the area from around the world. Ben Barreth, founder of the Home for Hackers, recently sold his house near 44th and State Line Road in Kansas City, Kan., to Jeff…

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Kansas City gigabit projects can snag up to $25K from Mozilla

January 26, 2016

The Mozilla Foundation is planning to empower Kansas City techies to improve their city. The foundation — along with the National Science Foundation and US Ignite — announced Monday that it’s allocating $300,000 to civically-minded, gigabit pilot projects in Kansas City and Chattanooga, TN. The Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund is now accepting applications from techies…

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Google Fiber, KC entrepreneurship takes stage at White House

January 22, 2016

In a special event at the White House, Kansas City Mayor Sly James exalted area entrepreneurship and a startup community that grew as a result of the metro’s access to Google Fiber. Joining mayors from Boston and Fresno, Calif., for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, James stood at a White House podium touting the gigabit…

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Pipeline announces 2016 fellowship class

January 22, 2016

The Pipeline Entrepreneurial Fellowship announced Thursday night during its annual Innovator of the Year gala the tenth class of fellows in its leadership development program. The Kansas City-based organization is welcoming 13 entrepreneurs from the region, including six innovators from Missouri, five from Nebraska and two from Kansas. This year’s fellowship will hold program events…

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Events Preview: IOTY tonight, Think Big Anniversary

January 21, 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’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW   Lean Lab Happy Hour When: January 21 @ 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Join us every month to…

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Addressing a market gap, $25M seed fund arrives in Kansas City

January 21, 2016

Nearly a year after identifying an early-stage funding need in the area, a $25 million seed fund will open a Kansas City office that aims to boost local startups. With a Wednesday night intro at Polsinelli, the Royal Street Investment & Innovation Center will soon move into the Kansas City metro for its second fund. Founded…

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Mid-America Angels’ injects $2.8M into nine startups during 2015

January 20, 2016

The Mid-America Angels, a Kansas City area-based angel investor network, closed 2015 on a high note with more than $2.8 million invested in nine ventures. The 2015 investment total is a near-20 percent increase in capital from 2014’s roughly $2.3 million invested. Rick Vaughn, the MAA’s managing director, said last year also was the most…

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