Happy holidays: Three startups receive Digital Sandbox funds
December 20, 2017 | Bobby Burch
They might not be wrapped with a bow, but Digital Sandbox KC has delivered three gifts to area startups ahead of the holidays.
The proof-of-concept incubator program is dishing grants to TradeLanes, Hungry? and MusicSpoke — three startups that aim to revamp their respective industries with innovative technologies, said Jeff Shackelford, director of Digital Sandbox.
“We know that the more connected early-stage entrepreneurs are — to each other and to the resources — the higher their probability of success,” Jeff Shackelford said in a release. “The Sandbox is helping startups in KC make those connections. We’ve now funded 96 projects and worked with more than 500 entrepreneurs in the metro.”
Launched in 2013, Digital Sandbox offers up to $25,000 in grants to startups with a focus of bringing a product from idea to commercialization.
Both TradeLanes and MusicSpoke were named 2017 Under the Radar startups by Startland News. Here’s a bit more on the three Digital Sandbox companies:
Hungry? is a mobile app with an algorithm to simplify the decision of what and where to eat, helping users find dining options.
MusicSpoke is a global marketplace that allows musicians and educators to purchase sheet music directly from composers. Check out Startland’s profile on MusicSpoke here.
TradeLanes automates trade management for U.S. exporters that uses an online platform to lower costs and make their supply chain more efficient. Check out Startland’s profile on TradeLanes here.
Digital Sandbox established a partnership with the City of Independence and the Independence Economic Development Council in 2016. With similar programs operating in Olathe, Kansas, and St. Joseph, Missouri, the Independence program aims to expand Digital Sandbox resources to the greater Kansas City metro area, Shackelford said.
Since its launch about five years ago, Digital Sandbox issued $1.8 million in project funding for more than 90 early-state firms that have created 536 new jobs with more than $14 million in payroll, according to the organization.
Featured Business
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
PlaBook to compete for $1M in prizes at world’s largest pitch competition for edtech startups
Fresh off its selection to Pipeline’s latest fellowship, a Kansas City edtech startup is now set to compete at The Elite 200 as a semifinalist in The GSV Cup — representing top pre-seed and seed stage startups in digital learning across the “Pre-K to Gray” space. KC-based PlaBook is set to vie for $1 million…
C2FO closes $140M funding round amid record growth, expanded focus on underserved companies
Editor’s note: C2FO is a financial supporter of Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom. Kansas City fintech powerhouse C2FO grows best when it’s accelerating access to capital for those traditionally underserved by the banking industry, said Sandy Kemper, announcing a $140 million funding round for the Leawood-based company. Led by Third Point Ventures — a multi-stage investor…
Joining 500 Global’s Japanese accelerator will test KC proptech startup’s market fit for Asian expansion
Access to acceleration has been unlocked, David Biga said, announcing Particle Space has joined a newly launched accelerator program from 500 Global that could give rise to a fully functioning startup ecosystem in Aichi, Japan — while helping the startup further realize its own potential. “One of the things we’ve been exploring with our API services…
Accelerator taps first 7 startups to help bring KC back from the edge of global health crisis
Seven Kansas City tech startups have taken the leap to launch new technologies and startups in response to challenges posed by COVID-19 — and have received technical and financial assistance through Comeback KC Ventures to accelerate their efforts. “These innovations were conceived after two years of the coronavirus pandemic revealed and ignited a need for…