Austin Barnes
Executive Editor, Startland News
Austin is a growth-focused business strategist with deep roots in media and storytelling. As executive editor, he leads Startland’s revenue generation, partnership strategy, and market expansion— aligning mission-driven journalism with scalable business models.
With over a decade of experience spanning media, brand development, and strategic communications, Austin has helped grow Startland’s reach beyond Kansas City, launching new monetization efforts and driving engagement with more than 700,000 readers each year. His work bridges entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable growth —positioning Startland as a national model for community-centered media.
Recent Stories by Austin Barnes
TechMap Kansas reveals open tech jobs, potential for startups to reshape employment trends
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. LAWRENCE…
Legal tech startup Stenovate earns Fountain Innovation Fund’s second investment
The Fountain Innovation Fund is flowing with Kansas City-based Stenovate selected as the second startup to earn its support, the Enterprise Center in Johnson County announced Wednesday. “Stenovate is an exciting investment for the Fountain Innovation Fund,” explained Maggie Kenefake, managing director of the fund, which chose to back Stenovate based on the emerging startup’s…
$16.4M third fund for Royal Street; KC needs at least one $100M exit each year, leader says
A $16.4 million third fund will see Kansas City-rooted Royal Street Ventures claim even more stake in area startups and establish itself as a leader in locally-sourced venture capital, said Laura Brady. “We have invested in six companies in Kansas City — including two already in Fund III,” Brady, Royal Street’s managing director, noted of the…
N-GAGE founder gets a grip on weight-lifting pain points (without giving up his day job)
N-GAGE GRIPS will have found success as a startup when Matt Leadbetter’s oldest son thinks he’s cool. “I remember thinking, ‘I have this thing in my head, I just need to make it,’ and I was kinda thinking at the time, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if when my little boy gets older, he’s impressed with…
Sisters flex startup strength with well-toned, high-performance Angel Competition Bikinis
Bold women are a force to be reckoned with, declared Karah Jones, and they should never feel the need to hide who they are. “Sometimes in this world it’s frowned upon for a female to be confident,” Jones, co-founder and CEO of Angel Competition Bikinis, said of her motivations for launching the Lenexa company —…
Startup Road Trip: Venture, innovation scenes rapidly growing in Kansas City’s ‘backyard’
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. WICHITA…
Startup Road Trip: Huck Adventures goes west, using AI to turn outdoors into a social setting
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. BOULDER,…
Keto crust on the rise: Fattyhead bakes ingredients for expansion into new distribution deals
Laura Manivong is feeding a hunger for keto diet-friendly pizza crusts that already stretches to freezer aisles across the metro — with stores and distributors salivating for more. “Out of the blue, I just called Sam Paris and Paris Brothers,” Manivong, founder and CEO of Fattyhead Keto Crust, said of how a recent distribution deal…
Pivoting back to a full-time franchise hustle: ‘Worst thing you can do is stop,’ Yogurtini owner says
Running a franchise can require as much passion and perseverance as any other entrepreneurial endeavor — including those in the startup space, said Isaac Collins. Would-be business owners shouldn’t get caught up in the jargon of what is and isn’t “real” hustle when trying to craft a livelihood for themselves or their families, he said. A…
Top universities, incentives lure online pet supplements startup to brick-and-mortar operation in an unexpected metro
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. TOPEKA…