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

    How this reality TV show helps competing entrepreneurs find their people — not just adversaries

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    It’s five days, 14-hour workdays, and one intense experience aimed at helping entrepreneurs sharpen their businesses. The setup for The Blox — a startup-focused reality TV competition and bootcamp — is crafted to immerse builders in the rigors of real-world business, said Weston Bergmann. Season 17 of the live-in competition show launched in June, emphasizing…

    C2FO named top fintech by CNBC; leaders celebrate win, pushing toward $500B funding milestone

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    A Kansas City fintech’s award-winning efforts to boost working capital access for businesses across the globe not only has built trust among the world’s top enterprises, said Sandy Kemper; it’s positioned C2FO for even greater impact as it transforms the financing landscape for previously overlooked ventures. The company was honored this month as one of…

    David Hensley and Leib Dodell, Bar K

    Bar K dog bar closes all locations, calling out KC riverfront construction, rising inflation

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    Owners of the award-winning Bar K dog bar — a popular destination for four-legged Kansas Citians and their friends — announced its closure Tuesday, after nearly a decade in business that saw the concept expand to St. Louis and Oklahoma City before suddenly shuttering all operations. “We are heartbroken to announce that Bar K will be…

    Months after taking over century-old tailor shop, owner putts his new golf apparel brand in play

    By Tommy Felts | July 29, 2025

    Even when an entrepreneur hyper-obsesses over the details, Michael Jerwick learned, opportunity isn’t always tailor-fit to the most conveniently designed timing. The Slabotsky’s owner just transplanted his century-spanning family business to River Market — a mere week before launching a brand new apparel side project. Two of the biggest moves of his career, Jerwick had…