Digital Sandbox partners with Olathe to lift startups

Business incubator Digital Sandbox KC is widening its reach to suburban Kansas City.

Digital Sandbox is partnering with the City of Olathe, Kan., to help launch businesses and boost entrepreneurship with its proof-of-concept model. The organization invests up to $25,000 in businesses for specific projects that help them secure additional funding.

“Digital Sandbox has done a phenomenal job helping early-stage entrepreneurs move from concept to business start,” Olathe city manager Michael Wilkes said in a release. “We know that we have many creative entrepreneurs in Olathe who can use Digital Sandbox to turn their idea into a growing Olathe business that creates new jobs in our city.”

Digital Sandbox Director Jeff Shackelford said that he’s excited to work with the city, which already has one business in the program. He added that he’s confident other entrepreneurs in Olathe will be able to tap the program to accelerate their growth.

“What we intend to do with this partnership is quickly turn concepts into business startups that create new jobs for Olathe,” Shackelford said in a release. “In the long run, we hope to find the next Garmin that benefits the entire metro area.”

Digital Sandbox recently welcomed six new companies to its program, including Olathe-based PerfectCube. PerfectCube offers business analytics tools for small retailers, offering users information on trends, comparisons and predictive information. Digital Sandbox’s funding will help the company add functionality to help small retailers grow.

Digital Sandbox has funded 52 proof-of-concept projects and helped to create 23 new businesses that have gone on to create 181 jobs. Companies that have participated in its program have gone on to raise $17.7 million in follow-on funding, according to Digital Sandbox.

To apply to the program or to learn more, click here.