Meet three tech startup founders pitching in KC’s women-led ‘Dolphin Tank’ event

November 4, 2022  |  Startland News Staff

Dr. Ashley Simmons, Cardiobra; Triumfia Fulks, CodeAlgo Academy; and Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE

A pitch event is set to return to Kansas City with a trio of female founders spotlighted for a panel of “dolphins.”

“Springboard’s Dolphin Tank brings the power of our collective community to women entrepreneurs innovating in enterprise tech,” said Natalie Buford-Young, CEO of Springboard Enterprises. “Our Dolphin Tank events showcase exciting women-led companies and provide them with the opportunity for connections, capital, and insight from our audience of investors, advisors, and industry leaders.”

In-person pitches and networking are set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at Polsinelli, 900 W. 48th St.

Click here to RSVP for the debut pitch event.

“Springboard’s Dolphin Tank is coming to Kansas City thanks to support from OneKC for Women, Wells Fargo, and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation — with two more annual pitch events slated for the coming years. We are honored to bring more attention to women founders in the Heartland,” said Buford-Young.

Springboard is a 501c3 not for profit organization that works to boost women entrepreneurs in technology and life sciences. For 22 years, it has been surrounding women with what they need to lead and succeed, the organization said. The event is Springboard’s second in-person pitch in Kansas City. It also previously hosted a virtual Dolphin Tank.

Three woman-led companies were chosen for the Nov. 10 showcase.

“We selected the best and brightest women-led tech startups to pitch their companies at Dolphin Tank: Kansas City Women in Tech,” said Buford-Young.

Pitching companies include:

  • Cardiobra (Dr. Ashley Simmons) — A patent-pending garment with a design that limits breast motion, promotes accurate ECG lead placement, reduces ECG lead artifact and ECG lead adherence, allows rapid access for echocardiogram image acquisition, and limits artifact in nuclear stress testing.

 

  • CodeAlgo Academy (Triumfia Fulks) — Uses gamification to teach coding skills to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, so they can develop programming skills and critical thinking before reaching high school, and then be better prepared to enter the workforce after graduation.

 

  • AskSAMIE (Dr. Brandy Archie) — The app builds a curated digital cart of adaptive equipment for patients recovering from significant health events or medical procedures, taking into account their specific physical needs and environmental constraints. (Click here to read more about AskSAMIE’s recent success at the Pure Pitch Rally.)

Expert “dolphins” set to offer support at the event include:

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

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

2022 Startups to Watch

    stats here

    Related Posts on Startland News

    Meet the Kansas City entrepreneurs picked for DoorDash’s first Midwest accelerator

    By Tommy Felts | May 13, 2025

    DoorDash delivers $50K bag to 10 KC small biz leaders hungry to learn DoorDash is dropping support on Kansas City’s doorstep through a new cohort of 10 small businesses selected for the company’s local restaurant accelerator, marking the first time the nationwide initiative has landed in the Midwest — with KC chosen as its launchpad.…

    Not a college student anymore: Entrepreneur’s origami-inspired bags fold functionality into professional fashion

    By Tommy Felts | May 13, 2025

    Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. ST. LOUIS — Founded in 2018 by Lisa Hu,…

    First came baby, then the boutique; 18 years later, this owner is the mother of retail survivors

    By Tommy Felts | May 10, 2025

    Opening her storefront at the age of 23 with a newborn daughter, Meagan Doyle faced double duty as a first-time mother and budding entrepreneur. Eighteen years later, her baby is now grown — and Mom is coming into her own as a retail survivor and seasoned business owner. “It’s been a fun adventure,” said Doyle,…

    Nick the Greek reset: Reinvigorated owner reopening locations, launching new spot after facing his own test

    By Tommy Felts | May 9, 2025

    When Nick the Greek abruptly closed two area locations six months ago, fans on and off social media were distraught, fearing they were closed for good. Now there’s a surprising update: two reopenings, one new opening. All this month. Area franchisee Arthur Gilbreath previously placed “closed for renovation” signs at his Nick the Greek restaurants…