Digital Sandbox KC secures $450K to support startups’ prototyping, proof-of-concept needs

As Digital Sandbox KC marks its 10th year in 2024, the popular funding program — and a key marker of emerging success for young tech startups in Kansas City — has earned a new round of financial backing from the State of Missouri.

Spread over three years, a $450,000 MOBEC (Missouri Building Entrepreneurial Capacity) project grant is expected to support prototyping and proof-of-concept needs of early-stage tech founders, said Jill Meyer, senior director of Technology Venture Studio, which houses Digital Sandbox KC within the UMKC Innovation Center.

“This award mirrors the sustained success of Digital Sandbox KC in offering essential proof-of-concept funding, aiding technology founders in developing viable innovations poised for subsequent financial support,” said Meyer.

MOBEC grant funding via the Missouri Technology Corporation is expected to be used to support the UMKC Digital Sandbox model, which helps technology founders in creating early-stage prototypes, according to MTC.

This support is crucial in overcoming the challenge of proving the concept in its early stages, leading to further investment in the company and advancement of its core idea, regardless of whether it is selected for proof-of-concept support, MTC said.

Digital Sandbox KC funding recipients; photo courtesy of Technology Venture Studio, UMKC Innovation Center

Digital Sandbox KC offers selected companies up to $20,000 each and critical resource and mentorship support. Startups are chosen quarterly with the most recently picked companies announced in January.

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

“We are excited to have secured this funding as a vital component of our ongoing fundraising initiatives,” said Meyer. “Digital Sandbox KC is fueled by a diverse group of supporters, enabling us to persist in expediting innovations toward market. Missouri Technology Corporation has been a strategic and critical partner of this program since its original launch.”

RELATED: Leveraging KC’s resources: How the right people at the right time can unlock a startup’s potential

Jill Meyer, UMKC’s Innovation Center’s Technology Venture Studio, speaks to a crowd gathered for a “Resources for Your Startup” panel during Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2024 seminar and reception event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The $450,000 grant award for Digital Sandbox KC is part of more than $3 million in MOBEC funding announced this week by MTC, including funds slated for Digital Health KC, an initiative launched by Bionexus KC, and LaunchKC, a program operated by the Economic Development Council of Kansas City, Missouri, (EDCKC) and the Downtown Council.

RELATED: Digital Health KC awarded $311K grant with goal to add 70+ jobs, $6M+ in wages across region

RELATED: Nearly $500K in renewed MTC funding for LaunchKC expected to empower early-stage tech startups for years

Five other Missouri organizations — 39 North AgTech Innovation District (St. Louis); Missouri Innovation Center (Columbia); Codefi Foundation on Rural Innovation (Cape Girardeau); Cortex (St. Louis);  Missouri State University’s efactory (Springfield) — also received grants through this week’s funding tranche. 

MTC additionally this week announced equity investments in seven Missouri startups through its IDEA Fund, including funds for a trio of Kansas City companies: backstitch, Foresight, and Likarda.

RELATED: MTC grant puts ‘cherry on top’ for KC startup closing its seed round; two more local companies earn MO funding