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
City asks: ‘What do we want to be when we grow up?’ Startups invited to answer Saturday, Tuesday
The startup community is a strong group the City of Kansas City, Missouri, should embrace — especially as it crafts local legislation and regulations that will shape the metro for generations, said Sarah Shipley. The Kansas City Startup Foundation board chair’s words come as KCMO officials organize a series of community work sessions, geared toward…
ScaleUP! KC announces eighth cohort of firms eyeing serious growth
The ScaleUP! Kansas City program has welcomed another large batch of growing companies hoping to accelerate their businesses. ScaleUP announced Wednesday that it accepted 17 Kansas City area companies into its ranks, offering the firms mentorship, resources and connections. The new cohort of entrepreneurs represent varied industries, such as IT, wellness, landscaping, education, architecture and…
Tech First: Bank’s new pitch event aims to connect investors, startup founders
Roots of growth and prosperity are being planted in Kansas City, furthering the advancement of the metro’s tech sector, said Rob Barker. “One of the biggest challenges for these tech companies is finding those investors to speak to,” said Barker, president – Kansas City Region of First Business Bank. First Business, locally based in Leawood,…
KCK business teacher re-imagines school space as student-led classroom coworking
Nobody’s going to tell you what to do here, Sheyvette Dinkens said passionately. The Wyandotte High School business teacher recently began transforming her space at school into classroom coworking. “I want students to be able to guide their own education,” she said. “I want to be able to facilitate their learning, and I want them…