Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

Schukman: Authenticity is the ultimate currency for millennials

July 8, 2015

The facts are in. Millennials prefer cause based products, are willing to pay more for them, and demonstrate strong brand loyalty to companies who weave social good into their stories. On the surface, these stats should be enough for any company to dive head first into branding themselves as social entrepreneurs. But, cause-based marketing is…

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Brad Feld contest offering a startup free rent in KC

July 7, 2015

A prominent venture capitalist is launching an international competition in Kansas City that will offer a startup free office space in one of the area’s tech hotbeds. Brad Feld, co-founder of the Boulder-based Foundry Group, kicked off a contest Tuesday that will allow a startup to live in his Kansas City, Kan., home for one-year…

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Digital Sandbox partners with Olathe to lift startups

July 6, 2015

Business incubator Digital Sandbox KC is widening its reach to suburban Kansas City. Digital Sandbox is partnering with the City of Olathe, Kan., to help launch businesses and boost entrepreneurship with its proof-of-concept model. The organization invests up to $25,000 in businesses for specific projects that help them secure additional funding. “Digital Sandbox has done…

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FCC commissioner Ajit Pai visits with local entrepreneurs

July 6, 2015

In a reunion trip to Kansas City, a federal communications official visited with entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss the effects of high-speed Internet access in the area. Ajit Pai, a commissioner with the Federal Communications Commission, stopped by the Kansas City Startup Village Thursday on a tour to gain more information on broadband expansion…

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New focus at Sprint Accelerator hopes to lure local firms

July 3, 2015

Now wrapped up with its second startup class, the Sprint Mobile Health Accelerator has begun prepping for its new mission in 2016. Instead of focusing specifically on mobile health technologies, the Techstars-led accelerator will broadly welcome startups in all mobile technology. The Kansas City-based accelerator welcomes about 10 startups each year from around the world…

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Kansas City sculpts new program to fund artists

July 3, 2015

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is putting its money where its mouth is in support of local artists. Moving forward, artists will be eligible to receive funding through a micro-lending program, piloting to support the growth and stability of their creative practice. Created through a collaboration between the city, the Economic Development Corporation of…

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St. Louis tech group expanding to KC

July 2, 2015

A St. Louis tech organization is using its recent funding award to expand its operations into Kansas City. LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that helps with job placement in technology, received a $250,000 award Wednesday from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will help it expand to cities across Missouri, including Kansas City. “MTC’s support will be…

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Events Preview: ECJC, America Hack night

July 2, 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 ECJC Summer Venture Lounge When: Wednesday, July 8 @ 4:30 PM-6:30 PM Where: Enterprise Center of Johnson County Investors, entrepreneurs and…

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Local investor Keith Harringtonearns prestigious VC fellowship

July 1, 2015

A Kansas City-area investor that was recently accepted into an esteemed venture capital fellowship in Silicon Valley hopes to leverage the program to better his hometown. Keith Harrington, managing director at the Kansas Bioscience Authority, was accepted into the Kauffman Fellows program for venture capitalists. The program aims to enhance venture capitalists’ capabilities and grow…

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1 Million Cups presenters have shot at $10K

July 1, 2015

One of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s most popular programs, 1 Million Cups, will soon be offering entrepreneurs more than its typical morning refreshments. Program leaders announced Wednesday that it’s launching the “One in a Million” competition, in which former presenters in the program could snag $10,000. Now in more than 70 cities worldwide, 1…

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