Edison Spaces selects two startups for its inaugural Jumpstart office space giveaway

The first fruit to bare in an effort of ecosystem elevation, two Kansas City startups have received a jumpstart — courtesy of Edison Spaces, the flexible office space provider announced Friday.

Matt Druten, Edison Spaces

“Ultimately, we know the challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business, because we ourselves faced these challenges,” said Matt Druten, Edison Spaces CEO.

A barrier no more, Edison Spaces will enable startups PreScreend — a leading provider of on-demand background screening, due diligence, and investigative services — and Foothold Labs — developer of Lab-On-A-Chip technology for law enforcement, security, and military applications —  to overcome a crucial challenge for sprouting startups: access to adequate and affordable office space, Druten said when he announced the Edison Spaces Jumpstart program in late 2018.

Click here to read more about Edison Spaces’ Jumpstart program or to apply.

“We always say Edison Spaces was built by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs and the Jumpstart program is our way of giving dynamic small businesses a leg up into office space,” Druten said.

PreScreend and Foothold Labs are the first companies to move into fully furnished spaces at the Overland Park flexible office provider — rent free for three months — as part of the program, the company explained.

“[Receiving the space] has helped to legitimize our business,” said Sean McIntosh, Foothold Labs founder.

Dustin and Madison Abercrombie, PreScreend

Both startups met requirements established by Edison Spaces that include: having been founded within the past six to 24 months, run by teams of two to eight people, and have secured or plan to secure seed funding within six months of applying.

“We’re thrilled to be officing at Edison Spaces. Before, we were in an open coworking environment that wasn’t ideal for high volume sales calls and team meetings,” said Dustin Abercrombie, founder of PreScreend.

Abercrombie is appreciative of such environments and the creative benefits they offer, but noted that he has found them to be disruptive. A move to Edison Spaces will allow the founder to better focus his efforts as he looks to scale PreScreend, he said.

Edison Spaces is accepting applications for the jumpstart program on a rolling basis, so long as space in the facility is open, Druten said.