Austin Barnes

Recent Articles by Austin Barnes

Noelia Olivares had a vision of the sea in KC; her food truck-turned-restaurant serves up the surf

January 9, 2025

A new brick-and-mortar restaurant docked along one of Kansas City’s popular dining corridors is sailing into the blustery Midwest market this winter — with the young entrepreneur behind the counter offering her family’s fresh take on Mexican seafood cuisine. Mariscos Mr. Culichi is now open at 910 Southwest Boulevard (Taqueria Mexico long operated in the…

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KC-based Jayhawk startups earn cut of $570K from Oread Angel Investors pitch event

January 8, 2025

LAWRENCE, Kansas — Four Kansas City-area startups with ties to the University of Kansas recently took home funding infusions from a newly formed network of Sunflower State investors — part of a rapidly advancing initiative led by KU Innovation Park. Members of the Oread Angel Investors network, which launched in September and now has about…

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Meet 5 new startups bolstering KC innovation (now with a funding boost from Digital Sandbox)

January 8, 2025

Just-announced funding for a handful of fresh tech ventures is expected to help Kansas City founders who already are poised to make a significant impact in their industries, from health care to government to education. Digital Sandbox KC has accepted five new startups into its program. Each is expected to receive up to $20,000 in…

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This $25 stack of ‘Touchdown Toast’ barely fits in its photo; Chiefs concessions debuts decadent playoff platter 

January 8, 2025

Chiefs fans will have a “larger-than-life, breakfast-for-dinner” creation to celebrate the playoffs as Kansas City’s hometown team returns to Arrowhead Stadium later this month. “Touchdown Toast” — described as a loaf of bread that is first soaked in eggs, custard, milk and heavy cream, seared and then baked — is among the first specialty offerings…

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Café Equinox propagates new year-round Liberty location; Nelson brothers taking perennial coffee concept evergreen

January 7, 2025

Café Equinox initially was meant to operate its coffee shop concept only during the equinox, nestled inside Family Tree Nursery greenhouses, said Jonah Nelson. “From September through March when people don’t have that warm outside space, they can come to the greenhouse,” said Nelson, who operates the family-owned garden centers with his brother, Jessie. “It…

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KC Tech Council shuffles tech veterans among key board positions; their goal: keep KC tech competitive

January 7, 2025

A leadership transition at the top advocacy group for Kansas City’s tech community aims to continue the organization’s mission, while opening even more doors for companies across the region that are brimming with innovation. “We plan to broaden our collective impact within the region by providing new opportunities through policy advocacy, tech talent development, catalyzing…

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Pilot program targets $50K ops grants to culturally-driven orgs, businesses in the arts

January 7, 2025

Small arts programs across the region could receive a $50,000 grant from a new pilot program that aims to provide vital sustainability funding for arts-centric businesses and organizations that often fall through the cracks. Applications for the Cultural Sustainability grants are open through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. The program plans to give general operating…

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10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2025

January 6, 2025

It’ll be a year for entrepreneurs on a mission. Many of the startups poised to make eye-catching headlines in 2025 also are working toward a better future — for the earth, for mothers, for people who love their pets, for Kansas Citians who’ve embraced the city’s craft community, and even for sports enthusiasts honing their…

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2025 Startups to Watch: Good Oak scales social venture to boost biodiversity in farming, herd ag industry toward change

January 6, 2025

Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its 10th year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2025’s companies.…

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2025 Startups to Watch: Hilltop Technologies targets cybersecurity for Main Street (with help from next-gen talent)

January 6, 2025

Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 Kansas City scaling businesses to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch list. Now in its 10th year, this feature recognizes founders and startups that editors believe will make some of the biggest, most compelling news in the coming 12 months. The following is one of 2025’s companies.…

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