Digital Sandbox helps entrepreneurs fight summer slump
June 16, 2015 | Abby Tillman
With summer knocking at the door, Digital Sandbox KC is taking initiative to provide resources and instruction to keep entrepreneurs engaged and on-point.
Digital Sandbox, a proof-of-concept program that expedites area businesses’ projects, will host the third-annual “Summer in the Sand Series” as a way of prompting discussion around relevant topics for entrepreneurs.
“The Summer in the Sand Series is a dynamic way to engage the startup community and provide relevant and valuable educational support,” Digital Sandbox Director Jeff Shackelford said in a release. “We will bring experts, experienced business owners and investors who can address the specific needs of the entrepreneurial community.”
Digital Sandbox’s summer series will include four events, each held at the Sprint Accelerator, starting at 3:00 p.m.
- June 24 – Maria Meyers of KCSourceLink will speak about the funding landscape in Kansas City and will explore funding mechanisms available to early-stage companies in the local startup community.
- July 15 – Digital Sandbox’s Shackelford will advise entrepreneurs on how to make effective pitches.
- August 19 – A panel of successful business owners in Kansas City — including Stuart Ludlow of RFP365, Danny O’Neill of The Roasterie, and Babir Sultan of Royal Loyal — will review creative ways of achieving early customer acquisition.
- September 16 – A lineup of angel investors will discuss what they look for when making capital investment decisions. The panelists include Tom DeBacco of Flyover Capital, Lance LeMay of OpenAir Equity Partners, Jill Meyer of the UMKC Small Business Technology Development Center, and Rick Vaughn of Mid-America Angels.
Since its inception in 2013, Digital Sandbox has helped create 23 new businesses, 181 new jobs and its businesses have received $17.7 million in follow-on funding.
“This [series] is another way to connect valuable resources and to strengthen the ecosystem that makes Kansas City a great place to start a business,” Shackelford said.
Registration for the Summer in the Sand series is now open and is required for admission.
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Charlie Hustle returning to founder’s vintage Jayhawk roots with Lawrence shop
A new retail space in Lawrence will be a homecoming of sorts for Chase McAnulty — taking Charlie Hustle back to the college city where he first wove his passion for vintage threads into a business. “It’s huge for me personally because it’s kind of come full circle,” the founder, owner and CEO said. Overlooking…
The Neighbrohood aims to build an entrepreneur network for KC men, leader says
Sunday’s debut public event from The Neighbrohood is about generating fellowship and conversation among young professionals, entrepreneurs and any other men working to make Kansas City thrive, Patrick Green said. “Our vision in that is to see Neighbrohood as a place for brotherhood, and our mission is to be change agents that strengthen men through…
UMKC entrepreneur competition ups prize money to $75K
For the second consecutive year, the University of Missouri-Kansas City has boosted prize money for its premier entrepreneurial competition. Eligible student teams will now vie for $75,000 in total awards through the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge Competition and new Blue KC Healthcare Innovation Prize. “The Regnier Venture Creation Challenge has become one of the signature…
KC designers: Send us your anti-gun violence messages, we’ll make the protest signs
Young people marching Saturday as part of nationwide anti-gun violence demonstrations deserve for their messages to be seen and heard, said Spencer Branham. Solid, impactful design will help, he added. Members of AIGA KC, a professional organization for Kansas City graphic designers, are now accepting submissions ahead of Saturday’s March For Our Lives events, said…