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

    PayIt forward: Kansas renews contract with KC tech company that took DMV headaches off the road

    By Tommy Felts | December 7, 2023

    For the more than 1 million Kansans who’ve already avoided long lines at the DMV thanks to PayIt’s award-winning digital payments platform, that experience — and others — will only get more convenient with the mobile-first technology’s Sunflower State renewal through at least 2026. PayIt this week announced a new deal with the State of…

    Sports tech founder: Team’s years of work laid groundwork for Forbes 30 Under 30 honor

    By Tommy Felts | December 7, 2023

    Being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for sports — alongside athletes like Lamar Jackson, Kyle Kuzma, and Ronald Acuna — adds more fuel to the fire for Austin Barone, the 29-year-old co-founder of Just Play Sports Solutions. “The growth we have experienced over the past few years has been tremendous, so to receive this…

    KC Rainbow Tour highlights LGBTQ+ history: You can legislate us, but our stories keep us alive

    By Tommy Felts | December 5, 2023

    Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ history is one of its best kept secrets, Joel Barrett said, explaining his journey to share a wealth of local lore with residents and visitors alike. The KC Rainbow Tour — a free, 90-minute self-guided driving tour — uses the VoiceMap app to highlight about 20 destinations with LGBTQ+ significance, including the…

    Baller move: With hometown Costco deal taking shape, Mitzi Dulan is getting her own protein-fueled boost — a first paycheck 

    By Tommy Felts | December 5, 2023

    Mitzi Dulan’s dream of shopping for her SimplyFUEL protein balls at her local Costco has finally come true, she shared: a goal seven years in the rolling. As of Dec. 1, the Midwest region of the wholesale giant — which includes 114 locations in Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,…