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

    Social venture’s pet grooming grads now empowered to earn microloans thanks to trio of KC backers

    By Tommy Felts | May 28, 2024

    Graduates of Kansas City-based Pawsperity’s pet grooming training programs are now eligible to apply for RISE Microloans to launch or grow their businesses — an opportunity boosted by an economic equity initiative to provide microloans to fledgling entrepreneurs. The Plaza Rotary Club program, RISE Microloan (short for Rotary Investing & Supporting Equity), is offered through AltCap,…

    KC housing tech startup builds momentum, refines business model in Nashville accelerator

    By Tommy Felts | May 28, 2024

    As Shapree’ Marshall prepares her final pitch for Twendé 2024’s demo day in June, the Kansas City founder and Pipeline Pathfinder already is seeing results from the six-month Nashville-based program. Her startup, A Traveled Path Homes, was among 56 companies led by founders of color that were named to the Twendé cohort in January. The…

    Mid Coast Modern closing Westport shop, relocating Bear Soap brand to west coast

    By Tommy Felts | May 28, 2024

    After nearly a decade as a local retail staple, Mid Coast Modern is closing, founder Matt Bramlette confirmed. The Westport Road gift shop — which opened in 2015 and supports makers/artists and indie businesses — is expected to shut its doors at the end of the month.  Sales have declined since the pandemic — especially…

    NMotion accelerates Its 100th startup with plans to invest $3 million in 30 more through 2026

    By Tommy Felts | May 24, 2024

    OMAHA — A Kansas City startup was among the six cohort members that pushed the NMotion Accelerator past its 100-company mark, showcasing its AI-infused storytelling platform this week alongside innovations from across the Midwest. NMotion powered by gener8tor on Tuesday celebrated the cohort — along with the impact from its $100,000 investments in each member —…