Just funded: Meet nine innovative startups earning critical early funding from Digital Sandbox KC
January 9, 2024 | Startland News Staff
Proof-of-concept funding from Digital Sandbox KC comes at a pivotal moment for Noonan Caddie, said Matt Williams, detailing plans to accelerate his startup’s technology with the program’s support.
Matt Williams, Noonan, 2023 Pure Pitch Rally; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“This funding will be instrumental in transforming our MVP into a fully-fledged commercial product, accelerating our speed to market significantly,” said Williams, CEO and co-founder of Noonan, an AI-powered “personal caddie” helping golfers shoot lower scores. “With this support, we’re excited to enhance our proprietary AI with voice activation features, streamlining the pace of play for golfers.”
The startup’s platform — a 2023 Pure Pitch Rally competitor that delivers precision club and aim recommendations, transforming golfers’ doubts into decisive, informed shots, Williams said — is among nine ventures boosted by Digital Sandbox KC in its latest round of funding — up to $20,000 each — and critical resource and mentorship support.
Newly selected companies span various industries; from revolutionary aerospace-grade 3D printing technology pioneered by one of Startland News’ 10 Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 to a platform that streamlines tasks for hospitals and an app that helps Christians connect their spiritual and physical health.
Notably, this round of startups marks the beginning of a collaboration between Digital Sandbox KC and Digital Health KC, a regional effort focused on supporting and growing Kansas City’s digital health ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to be working with Digital Health KC, a new initiative that shares our commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the digital health sector,” said Jill Meyer, senior director of Technology Venture Studio, which houses Digital Sandbox KC. “This collaboration expands the reach and impact of Digital Sandbox KC, bringing together expertise and resources to support startups at the intersection of technology and healthcare.”
Digital Sandbox KC is excited to play a pivotal role in advancing all these groundbreaking initiatives, Meyer continued, noting her team is honored to partner with the group of companies as the program helps them lay the foundation for the future of their startups.
In addition to Noonan Caddie, the just-funded startups include:
- As for Me and My Body (Candice McField), Shawnee, Kansas — As for Me and My Body helps Christians bridge their physical and spiritual health through its book and app which is an online accountability community.
- Dexer (Bruce Rasa), Overland Park, Kansas — Dexer is the “copilot for workers in motion.” For workers like veterinarians, Dexer enables them to slash their time spent on records by as much as 50 percent. (Digital Health KC funded)
- Ear House Technology (Samuel “Krizz Kaliko” Watson), Kansas City, Missouri — Ear House Technology simplifies audio post-production with one-button technology, catering to musicians, podcasters, filmmakers and content creators. Its innovative solutions streamline complex processes, making audio enhancement easy and accessible.
- EzBizPortal (Jonathan Gregory), Overland Park, Kansas — EzBizPortal transforms medical equipment operations, akin to what CarFax did for vehicle history. The company’s innovative platform streamlines tasks for hospitals and medical equipment vendors, offering features like automated repair logistics, compliance record management, and inventory tracking, all centralized for efficiency and compliance. (Digital Health KC funded)
- Leva (Vanessa Jupe), Kansas City, Kansas — Leva is a comprehensive ecosystem that provides expectant and postpartum parents the support they need to thrive while helping employers attract and retain talent by offering this one-of-a-kind benefit. (Digital Health KC funded)
- Raven Space Systems (Blake Herren, Ryan Cowdrey), Kansas City, Missouri — Raven Space Systems is developing a new technology which enables 3D printing of aerospace grade materials for the first time ever. Raven is focused on 3D printing heat shields for space and hypersonic flight applications, drastically reducing the cost and increasing the speed at which these unique materials are produced.
- ResiView (Dillon Kehrwald), Lenexa, Kansas — ResiView is an all-encompassing home management platform designed to simplify and enhance the way homeowners track and maintain their property’s maintenance, service history, warranties, and important documents.
- Trially (Kyle McAllister), Kansas City, Missouri — Trially is an AI-powered patient matching platform that matches eligible patients with clinical trials and customized treatments. (Digital Health KC funded)
Vanessa Jupe, Leva
With a suite of high-impact programs like Digital Sandbox KC, the UMKC Innovation Center helps emerging and existing business owners — whether they are students, faculty or community members — hone their business basics, evaluate commercialization opportunities and connect with the right resources at the right time, program organizers said.
For Leva founder and CEO Jupe, that means using the new funding award and resources to fill key requests from HR partners and prospects, as well as begin work on new, highly anticipated features, she said
“Digital Sandbox funding will provide us critical financial means to create a supportive experience for non-birthing parents/partners and caregivers, as well as allow us to integrate with larger HR Information Systems,” said Jupe.
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Snafus tangle up Trellie’s future
Wearable tech firm Trellie is winding down operations after some engineering and fundraising mishaps wiped out its cash reserves. Founded in 2012 by Claude Aldridge and Jason Reid, Trellie created a wireless charm that attached to the outside of a woman’s handbag to notify her of an incoming call via flashing LED lights. The product took…
Fund me KC: Beer Paws
Startland News is kicking off a new segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com Who: Crystal K. Wiebe,…
Events Preview: Learn to code, Startup Grind
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Coding & Cocktails When: October 10 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Women are invited to attend sessions to get…
Community igniting innovation at Westport Commons
A school tells the story of a community. Hallways lined with neighborhood students. Lockers packed with books. Gymnasiums breeding athletic competition. Now imagine a vacant school — a place with rich community history that then goes unattended. The lights are turned off and the classrooms go silent. This is what happened with Westport Junior High…