Five new companies have received up to $20,000 in early-stage project funding from Digital Sandbox KC and will receive the mentorship and connections they need to accelerate.

Learn more about each of the companies and learn how the Sandbox is fueling these founders'  innovations.

Missouri Technology Corporation announced applications for the April 2025 award cycle are now open. Through quarterly award cycles, MTC awarded nearly $9 million in 2024. MTC is seeking innovative, early-stage technology startups that are driving groundbreaking advancements. Missouri-based companies seeking investment should submit an application by Feb. 4, 2025, to receive an investment decision by the end of April.

- Proof of Concept Program: $25,000 - $50,000 investments for pre-seed rounds to help validate concepts, develop or launch an MVP.

- TechLaunch: investments up to $100K for companies raising $500K - $1M.

- Seed Capital: investments up to $500K for companies raising $1M - $5M.

- Venture Capital: investments up to $2M for companies raising $5M - $20M.

We are actively seeking innovative startups and solutions in the digital health space to apply for Digital Sandbox KC and benefit from our support and resources. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to receive up to $20,000 in project funding to advance your cutting-edge digital health solution.

If you are working on breakthrough digital health technologies, we want to hear from you! This is your chance to showcase your work, connect with industry experts, and accelerate your growth. Apply to Digital Sandbox KC today and join the Digital Health KC network.

1. Apply for Winning Federal Research Grants: SBIR/STTR Workshop by Jan. 24: Get an introductory look at how to win Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research grants. Learn how to find, apply and create a strategies to gain funding for a growing technology business. This class meets 1-4 p.m. Jan. 28, 2025.

2. Apply for Tech Venture by Jan. 27: Designed specifically by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, this program is an intensive nine-session course designed to give technology- and science-based entrepreneurs a proven framework and network of connections to help grow a great idea into the next viable innovation. This class meets for nine weeks on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m starting Jan. 30, 2025.

3. Intro to the Tech Business Model Canvas runs from 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 via Zoom and will show technology startups how to build a business model canvas for their early concept. Register for this no cost webinar at https://missouri.ecenterdirect.com/events/25926.

– Are you interested in learning more about Digital Sandbox KC? You can book a meeting with the Sandbox team to learn more about the program.

– Want to receive personalized searches of new technologies and innovations available for licensing? Get in touch with Whiteboard 2 Boardroom to sign up.

– If you want to learn about early-stage deals or are seeking early-stage capital, learn more about CapitalMatch here.

– Do you know someone who wants to support local tech startups as a mentor, advisor or funder? We can help get them plugged in. Have them send us a note today.

Startland News is showcasing 10 emerging companies that editors believe will be among the most newsworthy in the coming months.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Empower Fresh Co. has named Robert Austin as president and CEO. Austin has been with the company since its inception and has served in many roles, such as senior vice president of sales.

LaunchKC’s big reveal Tuesday was about more than checking a box — or getting hands on oversized checks — with grant competition winners taking the stage to introduce their companies to an eager community of supporters, entrepreneurs and investors.

Super Dispatch, the industry-leading automotive transportation management platform, announced the appointment of Matt Bradley as chief executive officer (CEO), taking the helm from former CEO Bek Abdullayev, who founded the company and will now be the executive chairman of the board of directors.