Just funded: Meet nine innovative startups earning critical early funding from Digital Sandbox KC

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.

RELATED: Raven Space Systems accelerates its stratospheric rise with 3D printing for space exploration (2024 Startups to Watch)

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. 

RELATED: Digital Health KC earns $2M federal grant, doubled by matching funds from Kauffman Foundation

“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) 

Jonathan Gregory, EzBizPortal, 2023 Pure Pitch Rally; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Blake Herren and Ryan Cowdrey, Raven Space Systems, Startland News' Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

• 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.

From the archives: Motherhood is tough; this breastfeeding, diaper tracking app uses tech to guide moms past stigmas