Quartet of startups hop into the Digital Sandbox KC

Four early-stage businesses recently entered the Digital Sandbox KC program.

The new startups demonstrate the ingenuity Digital Sandbox aims to attract for its grant-funding efforts, said Jeff Shackelford, director of Digital Sandbox KC.

“From helping students prepare for college to analyzing voting records to predict legislative outcomes, the startups in the Sandbox are a great example of the diversity and creativity of this region’s entrepreneurs,” said Shackelford.

Launched in 2013, Digital Sandbox offers up to $20,000 in grants to tech startups with a focus of bringing a product from idea to commercialization. The organization has worked with more than 500 entrepreneurs and early-stage companies across the Kansas City metro.

The announcement arrives just after the incubator was awarded $950,000 — $450,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and $500,000 from the Missouri Technology Corporation.

Digital Sandbox has helped to make a significant economic impact in Kansas City via its support of dozens of startups. Since its launch about five years ago, Digital Sandbox has issued $1.9 million in project funding to 100 early-stage firms that have created 585 new jobs with more than $14 million in payroll, according to the organization. The startups also have gone on to raise more than $50.8 million in follow-on funding.

Since 2016, Digital Sandbox has established partnerships with GXP Investments and the cities of Independence, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Olathe, Kansas, to launch proof-of-concept incubator programs.

Here’s more on the new startups.

Case Helper is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) communication platform for tort plaintiff lawyers. Case Helper provides attorneys with quick information between law firms and their clients, speeding up the resolution of pending litigations and driving down operational costs.

College Coaching Network offers a scholarship mobile app that enhances the guidance counselor experience. Partnering with high schools, youth groups and employee benefits programs, College Coaching Network provides college and career life-coaching with 24/7 training and chat support services.

FastDemocracy provides insights into state and federal legislation. The FastDemocracy online platform allows subscribers to receive legislative email updates, an overview of bills by topic, bill summaries and voting records for quantitative data and predictions.

PowerPlus created a cleaning system that improves heat transfer efficiency, reduces energy consumption and emissions, and minimizes costs for coal-fired utility boilers.