Digital Sandbox announces partnership with Pinsight Media

Digital Sandbox KC revealed Monday a new partnership that will offer application development to participating startups.

The Kansas City-based incubator invests up to $25,000 in area startups and provides proof-of-concept resources for its cohorts. Now, its collaboration with mobile data company Pinsight Media+ will garner mobile development and application monetization opportunities for founders.

“As a locally-grown technology company based here in Kansas City, we want to help others grow and continue to expand our city’s technology footprint nationally,” vice president of Pinsight Media+ Kevin McGinnis said in a release. “We see a great opportunity with Digital Sandbox and look forward to helping speed up the launch process for its companies.”

Pinsight Media+, a subsidiary of Sprint, released a program called Rollout in early 2016. The service offers free application development for startups, offering Pinsight advertising revenue in return until the cost of development is met. The new relationship with Digital Sandbox will use this same format.

Digital Sandbox executive director Jeff Shackelford believes that the partnership with Pinsight will help the incubator offer the “total package” to cohorts.

“With Pinsight’s involvement and generous support, entrepreneurs now have access to industry experts with extensive knowledge in app development and app marketing,” said Shackelford in a release. “As a result, we hope that even more consumer-focused founders will apply to tap into the entrepreneurial resources available in our own backyard.”

Digital Sandbox is funded by two i6 Challenge grants from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, as well as universities, private companies and KCSourceLink. Since its launch in 2013, Digital Sandbox has worked with over 300 Kansas City startups resulting in over 339 jobs. To apply, visit www.digitalsandboxkc.com for more information.