Haines Eason
Freelance Kansas
Haines Eason is the founder of startup content marketing agency Freelance Kansas. Previously he worked as the managing editor overseeing a large long-form content marketing team for an international corporation and as a communications professional in higher education. His work and photography have appeared in publications like The Guardian, Eater and KANSAS! Magazine among others. Freelance Kansas seeks to support the innovators and do-gooders who are working to make this world safer and more equitable for all.
Recent Stories by Haines Eason
Deepfakes and real scams: Cybercriminals spot opportunity at KC’s World Cup too
As Kansas City plays host to six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, much of the public conversation has focused on transportation, hospitality and physical security. Cybersecurity experts say local businesses should also prepare for a different kind of visitor: criminals looking to exploit the confusion, urgency and attention that accompany one of the…
Analysis: Stability helped KC’s tech workforce survive COVID better than most; it could be slowing growth today
Beneath the surface, a more complex story with serious stakes has been simmering since the pandemic. Kansas City’s tech scene survived — and even rebounded — but the crisis and new technologies have driven changes that may shape the sector’s long-term health.
Missouri’s long-sought angel investor tax credit heads to governor’s desk after years of startup advocacy
"When one side has an angel credit and the other does not, it creates imbalance," said Greg Kratofil. "This helps founders focus less on which side of State Line Road their office is on and more on building their business."
Disney’s deal with OpenAI is dead, but the villain of the story is still lurking, KC theater owner says
Don’t roll credits just yet, said Adam Roberts. The collapse of a deal that would’ve licensed some of Disney’s most popular characters to an AI generator doesn’t mean the end for the fan-inspired, on-demand custom video content that studio executives envisioned (and many cinephiles like Roberts revile). News broke Tuesday that OpenAI was shuttering its…
The end of gear hunting: Wacka wants to automate-away manual price chasing
Late nights. Too many browser tabs. Price comparisons across half a dozen retailers. Waiting weeks for the right moment to buy. Justen Wack knows exactly how outdoor gear purchases usually happen, he said — because the tech founder used to grind through the process himself. It’s a ritual familiar to skiers, cyclists, backpackers and climbers…
From Homebase to homes of the future: Here’s how KC-connected Quext landed its GFiber partnership
When Blake Miller talks about smart buildings, he isn’t theorizing from afar. He’s tracing a line that runs straight through Kansas City — from early smart-city experiments and public Wi-Fi infrastructure to a new partnership with GFiber that aims to reshape how residents experience internet access and daily digital life inside apartment buildings. Miller, founder…
New owner: Charlie Hustle’s iconic heart will remain as brand exports KC vibe to new cities
As Charlie Hustle’s new owners work to scale the Kansas City-built apparel company, the brand won’t lose its heart, they said, pledging instead to pattern expansion efforts after the vintage-feel and hometown-first ethos that made Charlie Hustle a go-to source for KC pride. A critical piece of the plan: Hit new markets, city by city…
Caffeinated by design: Why coffee is critical infrastructure at Topeka’s new innovation hub
Sparrow Coffee Co. roasts second home inside Link Innovation Labs as space prioritizes local small businesses alongside startups TOPEKA — When a hotly-anticipated innovation hub opens its doors Feb. 9 in downtown Topeka, visitors might notice the scent of freshly brewed coffee before they even catch sight of the startup space’s state-of-the art high-tech labs….
2026 Startups to Watch: LAN Party gains steam with nostalgia as a hook, gaming enterprise potential as the real play
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 high-growth, scaling Kansas City companies to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch project. Now in its 11th 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 2026’s…
2026 Startups to Watch: Cyphra Autonomy pairs robotics with heavy labor (and a light lift for job site users)
Editor’s note: Startland News editors selected 10 high-growth, scaling Kansas City companies to spotlight for its annual Startups to Watch project. Now in its 11th 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 2026’s…