Digital Sandbox KC has added five new startups to its roster after reviewing second-quarter applications.
Formed in 2013, Digital Sandbox KC has supported 170 early-stage startups, including the five new companies. The organization provides proof-of-concept funding and assistance with aspects such as technology and product development, beta testing and market research to help entrepreneurs move past the concept stage and commercialize their idea.
Each of these five startups received $20,000 in project funding:
- DeskSides, Shawnee: A public relations platform that connects brands to journalists.
- AskSAMIE by Accessible Living, Kansas City: A web app that guides family caregivers and health care teams to specific equipment they need
- Phog Labs, Overland Park: Builds unique, sports-driven games for virtual-reality platforms that will give customers fast-paced workouts
- Empower Fresh (eFresh), Independence: A cloud-based solution for produce department management
- Venues Made Simple, Spring Hill: An online wedding platform to help couples book venues
Both DeskSides and Venues Made Simple began in the pandemic and also were supported by Comeback KC Ventures.
Digital Sandbox recently released a report on the startups it has supported. According to the report, 56% of founders since 2019 have been people of color, and 29% are women. Thirty-three out of its 165 funded projects have raised more than $1 million in follow-on funding, and 27 have achieved more than $1 million in sales.
Digital Sandbox KC is part of the UMKC Innovation Center’s Technology Venture Studio and helps with panels of experts during Summer in the Sand. It also works on founder roundtables, where entrepreneurs are introduced to peer networks of support, and referrals to other funding programs.
