Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

The WTF Series: Star Wars tech guide

December 22, 2015

On a daily basis, Ben Kittrell translates the jargon-filled world of technology for clients of his tech consultancy. The Words that Frustrate (WTF) series aims to offer readers some clarity in an industry dominated by techies’ confusing argot. In this special edition, Ben geeks out over Star Wars tech as the franchise’s latest installment thrills audiences around…

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Kansas Citians, Techweek study entrepreneurship, communism in largest U.S. tech envoy to Cuba

December 21, 2015

Only 5 months after President Obama re-opened diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, a group of Kansas Citians joined the largest tech delegation ever to visit the communist country. Five area entrepreneurs joined leaders and other innovators involved with the national tech conference Techweek in an exploratory visit of Cuba’s tech and entrepreneurial community.…

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(S)heStarts: Define yourself and your startup on your own terms

December 18, 2015

At a recent One Million Cups gathering at the Kauffman Foundation, Little Hoots founder Lacey Ellis discussed lessons learned since launching her company. It had been almost a year since she first presented at the pitch event, and one of her primary lessons is sound advice for startup founders. “When you’re first starting out, you’re…

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Ag tech firm Farmobile reaps big multi-million dollar investment

December 18, 2015

Agriculture company Farmoblie reaped substantial funding to accelerate development and distribution of its technology to collect data from farm machinery. The Kansas City-based firm snagged a $5.5 million Series A round of equity investment led by Amsterdam-based Anterra Capital. Founded in 2013, Farmoblie created a device — or Passive Upload Connection (PUC) — that plugs into…

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Regional venture capital and why Valley firms moved to the Midwest

December 17, 2015

In this week’s regional roundup, we have the dish on everything you should know from regional venture capital and cyber security to building a company that survives a dynamic tech market. For more on this series, read our introduction.  St. Louis Biz Journal: Big raises, new funds highlight year for venture capital in St. Louis Not only…

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Events Preview: Happy Holidays!

December 17, 2015

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 With the Holidays right around the corner, there are few events this week and next. Grab some egg nog and enjoy time…

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Six Kansas City startups hop in the Digital Sandbox

December 17, 2015

Kansas City-based business incubator Digital Sandbox KC will offer financial support to six area firms working on a variety of tech projects. Digital Sandbox, which invests up to $25,000 in area businesses for specific projects that help the firms secure additional funding, has now supported 20 proof-of-concept projects in 2015. “We continue to be amazed…

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Startland’s way-too-late Kansas City startup gift guide

December 17, 2015

Journalist and author Don Marquis once said that “procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.” So in the spirit of completing what we should have done before the final weekend for holiday shopping, here’s a gift guide to 10 gadgets made by Kansas City startups. Special thanks to KCUR for hosting a discussion…

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KC Startup Foundation aims to unify early-stage biz community

December 17, 2015

Leaders of the Kansas City Startup Village are maximizing their volunteer efforts with the establishment of a foundation that hopes to unite startups and entrepreneurs in the area. Formalized in October as an official 501(c)3 public charity, the Kansas City Startup Foundation grew out of the village’s need for more external support and resources. Founded…

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‘Happy we don’t have to leave’ Little Hoots’ $450K raise will keep KC home

December 15, 2015

Once on the verge of departing its hometown, Kansas City-based Little Hoots recently raised funds to boost development of its app, allowing the startup to remain in the City of Fountains. [pullquote]“We’re so happy we don’t have to leave Kansas City.” – Lacey Ellis, CEO of Little Hoots[/pullquote] Led by CEO Lacey Ellis, Little Hoots’…

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