“It was another great year for Sandbox companies,” said Jeff Shackelford, director of Digital Sandbox KC. “We’ve now funded development projects for 79 companies and helped them raise almost $30 million in investment capital, creating more than 370 new Kansas City area jobs. And the great news, we’re already off and running to fund more projects in 2017.”
Developed through a one-time i6 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Agency, Digital Sandbox KC includes players from academia, large corporations, entrepreneurs, business development organizations and economic developers.
The program’s mission is to accelerate the commercialization of new ideas and promote business and job growth in the region. Thanks to the support of many of Kansas City’s strongest and most recognized corporations, universities and civic groups, Digital Sandbox KC continues to help grow new business starts and create new net jobs for the region.
Applications for Digital Sandbox KC are taken on a rolling basis and evaluation/selection cycles run eight weeks. Sandbox funding may cover expenses for project consultants, legal support, equipment and other market validation, prototyping and beta testing needs.
FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR KANSAS CITY STARTUPS!
Who Can Apply?
Digital Sandbox KC broadly seeks new innovation in information technology. Any emerging startup or established companies can play in the Sandbox. Research organizations and technology transfer offices, both corporate and academic, can also submit technologies for further development.
People outside of the Kansas City region may submit an idea, but any operations associated with technology development and establishment of resulting business or business expansion must be located within the Kansas City CSA. Presently, companies must be located on the Missouri side of the state line to receive project financing.
The Digital Sandbox is best positioned to help companies that:
– Have a significant IT/digital component
– Are building platform technologies, enabling the development of future products and processes
– Are local and plan to stay local
– Have strong, clearly defined management teams
– Are not already in the marketplace
– Need first in funding
– Have a project of some sort standing between them and key investors or customers
– Have disruptive technologies/clear competitive advantages
– Are building platform technologies, enabling the development of future products and processes
Launched in February 2013, Digital Sandbox KC has worked with more than 350 entrepreneurs and early-stage companies across the Kansas City metro area. Results for Digital Sandbox KC thus far have included:
– 79 proof-of-concept projects funded for area startups
– 34 new businesses created
– 371 jobs created
– $28.3 million in follow-on funding
Congratulations to the first 2017 companies selected for Sandbox support!
H3TV
With a focus on education and health and wellness, their innovative online programming carries a mission to empower young audiences to make positive changes to their everyday lives.
The founders, Reggie “Regg” Gray and Rappin’ Roy Scott created H3, “Healthy Hip Hop,” a new genre of children’s music. H3TV is successfully using this culturally responsive music as a learning tool to help children improve academic outcomes, physical health, and social-emotional development.
“In order for our company to truly scale, we had to completely develop our technology,” said Roy Scott, H3TV CEO, “and the funding from Digital Sandbox KC has put us in a position to take H3TV to the next level! Receiving this funding will allow us to improve our mobile and online video platform, making it more seamless for educators and students to utilize our services.”
MovinHouz
Using the MovinHouz mobile app, customers can Click It…Pic It… and Move! MovinHouz’s MovinPic Technology allows customers who are moving to upload photos of each room and major items. These photos will be seen by multiple vetted movers who will then each submit a moving quote.
MovinPic enables clear identification of the items to be moved and allows the moving company to see the actual items involved, so they can provide the most accurate quote possible. All of this takes the stress out of picking a mover and ensures the safety and security of all belongings.
“Receiving this award from Digital Sandbox KC allows MovinHouz to enhance our offering, specifically our MovinPic technology, which positions us to provide greater value to the overall moving industry,” said Dominic Klobe, MovinHouz CEO.
“These two companies really show the diversity of ideas and creativeness of Kansas City entrepreneurs and show us that there are still many, many early-stage companies the Sandbox can help move forward,” said Shackelford. “So, I tell everyone I see, bring your ideas to Sandbox and we’ll find a way to help.”
Visit www.digitalsandboxkc.com to learn more about Digital Sandbox KC programs.
Photo credits: KCSourceLink