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
Murals by Sike Style, JT Daniels paint ‘One KC’ across state line, Plexpod locations
Economic momentum in the Kansas City region has never been stronger — no matter which side of the state line a business operates, Gerald Smith said. A colorful pair of murals now splash that reality across two of the veteran entrepreneur’s Plexpod locations. Reflecting a border war “truce” — called in August between the governors of…
Boddle scores $25K AT&T Aspire audience award thanks to tough love on duo’s most difficult pitch
Just because a pitch is tough doesn’t mean it won’t payoff, said Clarence Tan. “Smiles will take you miles,” Tan, CEO and cofounder of Boddle Learning, said of his and co-founder Edna Martinson’s latest pitch at the AT&T Pitches and Purpose contest in San Francisco — the pair’s most difficult presentation to date, they said…
Hemp startup founders cultivate Year Round partnership in light of growing interest
A casual supply run produced more than equipment for United American Hemp; the team behind the Olathe startup walked away co-owners of another new venture. “We hit it off and invested both time and money in [the] business. … Since then [its] exploded in revenue,” Michael Wilson, director of research and development at United American…
More than a podcast host: Matt Watson’s Stackify raises $6M in rapid scaling maneuver
Stackify expects growth on the heels of a freshly announced $6 million funding raise, explained Matt Watson. “We have still never taken any outside, institutional VC money. All the [investments] we’ve raised have been from local Kansas City investors, which is pretty cool,” Watson, founder and CEO, said noting the company’s recent raise was a…
KCultivator Q&A: Dan Smith coaches retail potential from within east side entrepreneurs
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. As Dan Smith looked around Kansas City, he saw his hometown continuously…
OHUB needs whole community to achieve vision of ecosystem inclusion, leaders say
Opportunity Hub isn’t an exclusive club, said Rodney Sampson. “What I would like to see is greater collaboration with the existing players already on the ground,” explained Sampson, founder of the Opportunity Hub (OHUB), noting that his organization’s goal to foster entrepreneurship within Kansas City’s minority communities doesn’t mean animosity toward the broader startup landscape. …
Social Side Effect: Kilee Nickels says Instagram built Nickel & Suede (and the proof is in the postings)
Editor’s note: Social Side Effect is an ongoing profile series that identifies the intersection between social influencing and entrepreneurship When customers care, business is better and social media proves it, said Kilee Nickels. “Having Instagram, having Facebook, having a blog, definitely got our business started and kept us going for so long,” added Nickels, CEO…
AccessAble Living: $10K prize will help AltCap Your Biz winner speed services to seniors
A medical supply startup designed to help Kansas Citians age in place earned judges’ seal of approval — and $10,000 — in the 2019 AltCap Your Biz Competition. “I hope this is a jumpstart for us to help solve a common healthcare problem,” said Dr. Brandy Archie, director of AccessAble Living, Wednesday night during Global…
Crafting a side hustle? Your motivation better be more than money, advises Royals broadcaster-turned-podcast host
Any idea is possible with a little passion behind it — so long as there’s a why, explained Joel Goldberg. “When you start everything with, ‘What, where, when, why and how,’ and you answer those questions or ask someone to help you answer those questions … [there’s no limit to] how far you’ll go,” Goldberg, veteran…
Make48’s 48-hour TV maker competition going nationwide for Season 4; live events planned
It’s back to KC for Make48 as the reality competition for inventors heads home to film Season 4. “Our current coverage is over 90 percent saturation of American homes, so its getting some good traction,” Tom Gray, CEO of Kansas City-based Make48, said ahead of filming — which is slated for March 5-7, 2020, at…