mySidewalk teases Sidekick — a data assistant at the forefront of AI’s difficult-to-simple transformation
May 22, 2024 | Startland News Staff
A new purpose-built community data and visualization tool from mySidewalk is designed to revolutionize decision making and empower those willing to embrace change when supplied with accessible and reliable data.
The Kansas City-based govtech company this month announced the beta launch of Sidekick, an AI-powered data assistant meant to drive meaningful progress through insights gleaned from it and the startup’s broader platform, said Stephen Hardy, CEO of mySidewalk.
“Finding useful data to make critical community investment and development decisions is too hard. We can change that,” he said. “We’re at the forefront of a new era where AI can make the difficult simple.”
“Our beta testers are helping to make Sidekick an invaluable resource for leaders dedicated to making a positive difference,” Hardy continued.
mySidewalk has a team dedicated to gathering the most relevant data for customers and offering tools that allow anyone — not just data scientists — to understand it, he said.
Building on mySidewalk’s mission to democratize data and equip changemakers with the necessary tools, Sidekick simplifies data access, provides trusted and transparent analytics, and facilitates data-driven storytelling while helping users sidestep technical barriers with an intuitive, natural language interface.
Those interested can access Sidekick through mySidewalk’s software platform to explore thousands of data points, create visualizations like maps, and craft narratives about transportation, economy indicators, public health, housing, and environmental factors.
Sidekick will be available to mySidewalk customers as part of their software subscription.
“Sidekick is founded on principles of accessibility and equity,” Hardy said. “Our robust foundation of meticulously researched proprietary data ensures reliable results, fostering trust and transparency in the analysis process. Ultimately, Sidekick will free up time for high-impact activities by finding and communicating meaningful insights faster and with less effort.”
Want to help beta test Sidekick? Click here to join the waitlist.

2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Porter House KC earns $400K in renewed support for inclusive entrepreneurship, retail incubator
Support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation is expected to help The Porter House KC make good on its founders’ promise to help emerging entrepreneurs in their community get their promising ventures off the ground, said Dan Smith. “Like many of the small business owners that we encounter, we started our organization based on a need…
Black Pantry expands to Troost, setting a cornerstone for new Black business hub
A second location for the Black Pantry is about more than adding a “cool little gift shop” to Troost, said Brian Roberts, detailing his plan for a broader mission: a whole block of Black-owned businesses and a hub for Black entrepreneurs and creatives. It begins with Roberts’ in-the-works standalone space at 3108 Troost Ave., he…
‘Why would you put that on a cake?’ The C Word Cakery frosts the boundaries of good taste
The C Word Cakery is a reflection of the baker behind the business, Savannah Brady shared. “It doesn’t take itself too seriously,” she explained. Brady — a southwest Missouri native who moved to Kansas City during the pandemic — specializes in, as she puts it, “good cake, bad words” — vintage-looking, classic, floral cakes that…
CRWND as a KC pitch contest winner, Keliah Smith expands her product line (and comfort zone)
Keliah Smith was nervous. She’d never been a fan of speaking in front of a crowd, but knew exposing her discomfort and weakness through the Alchemy Sandbox pitch competition was just part of the ongoing journey of an entrepreneur, she said. Avoiding that spotlight, Smith noted, already had kept her — and her business, CRWND…


