Digital Sandbox welcomes four new startups led by emerging, veteran KC founders

December 20, 2019  |  Startland News Staff

Digital Sandbox KC

The latest round of founders joining Digital Sandbox KC includes relative newcomers to the startup scene alongside a Fountain City Fintech alum and a key player behind one of Kansas City’s biggest exits.

Digital Sandbox KC is a proof-of-concept program that significantly and rapidly moves early-stage entrepreneurs from concept to commercialization. It is a unique collaboration among private, public, university/research and philanthropic organizations.

The proof-of-concept program announced Friday the addition of four new companies for its fourth quarter: TripleBlind, led by Riddhiman Das, who made headlines as product architect for EyeVerify when the Kansas City startup sold to Ant Financial for more than $100 million before being renamed Zoloz; Particle Space, founded by David Biga, whose work has spanned from software engineering at EyeVerify to CitySmart and Griffin Technologies; Destiny, led by c, who guided the company through the inaugural cohort of Fountain City Fintech in 2018; and B!TLab Innovations, founded by Hasan Ali.

“This group showcases the wide spectrum of businesses assisted by the Sandbox,” said Jill Meyer, senior director of technology ventures at the UMKC Innovation Center who oversees the program.

More about the companies selected for support:

  • TripleBlind is a marketplace that enables entities to safely provide and consume sensitive data and algorithms in encrypted space, without compromising privacy or security. Further, our platform will allow all participants to differentially control access to their data and to be paid accordingly for their respective content.
  • Particle Space is a building and property management platform that completes the gap for total collaboration and communication through automated workflows. It enables a building’s pre-existing sensors to be added into our platform with no hardware purchases necessary, providing critical building analytics and cost savings using its “Intelligent Space Management” platform.
  • Destiny is a debt management platform that helps financial institutions increase customer retention and uncover unforeseen opportunities with banking’s most crucial demographic; young and debt-laden customers.
  • B!TLab Innovations’ Smart Resume allows job seekers to optimize their resume automatically for each specific job in one click. It analyzes resumes, compares them to a job description, gives you a score, and then tailors the resume.  

Since its inception in 2013, Digital Sandbox KC has provided project development funding for 125 area startups, which has spurred more than $80 million in follow on funding. 

“Momentum in Kansas City’s startup ecosystem continues to grow and we’re excited to contribute to that growth,” said Meyer. “We’re geared up for 2020 and are ready to continue to create opportunities for entrepreneurs in our region.”

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

2019 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Matt Watson scales third startup to exit; shifting full capacity to his tech services company

    By Tommy Felts | July 8, 2024

    At Capacity is returning to the company where it all began; the SaaS platform recently sold to CAMP Digital, co-founder and serial entrepreneur Matt Watson confirmed. Details of the sale were not disclosed, but the exit comes just 16 months after Watson and Meg Stapleton launched At Capacity. Click here to read more about the…

    Pulling $250K in annual sales and ready to scale? This KC cohort could take your small biz to the next level

    By Tommy Felts | July 8, 2024

    As many as 20 local entrepreneurs and business owners could be selected for the latest game-changing program from ScaleUP! Kansas City. The key to getting in: proven revenue and a market ready for their supercharged ventures. ScaleUP! Kansas City — built within the UMKC Innovation Center — is now accepting applications for its no-cost cohort,…

    ‘It’s OK to start small’: She knew nothing about decorating cookies; a year later this baker quit her full-time job to scale up

    By Tommy Felts | July 3, 2024

    Karissa Todd has taken a family recipe, added in a little hard work and dedication, and baked it into a thriving sugar cookie business, she shared. After launching Cookie Bliss KC out of her house in 2018, Todd opened a storefront in the Northland, 3518 Northeast Vivion Road, in November, selling her signature soft sugar…

    KC BioHub leaders refining plan after $75M Tech Hubs proposal fails initial test

    By Tommy Felts | July 2, 2024

    A massive regional initiative to secure federal funds for Kansas City’s burgeoning Tech Hub failed to win approval, BioNexus KC officials announced Tuesday, with advocates lauding organizers’ efforts and pledging to continue their push. The KC BioHub was seeking funding Phase II funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Tech Hubs competition — a process…