Three more startups have received funding through Digital Sandbox KC—the first to be approved under a new partnership between the Sandbox and the E-Scholars program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

E-Scholars is part of UMKC’s Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and it offers a range of training to entrepreneurs who are launching new businesses. Digital Sandbox KC provides proof-of-concept support and advice to help young companies with commercialization.

The three E-Scholars projects receiving Digital Sandbox KC help are:

• Mag-Vest, which makes a magnetic tool vest—making it easy for workers to securely carry around bolts, nuts and screws.
• Mobility Designed, the creators of new and improved mobility devices. Its debut effort, the M+D Crutch, has better ergonomics than traditional crutches.
• Smart Steps Mobile, an app that helps people with Down syndrome, autism and other cognitive disabilities to solve common problems, such as finding lost items or getting a ride.

And there could be more E-Scholars companies that will partner with Digital Sandbox KC.

“This is just the beginning,” said Jeff Shackelford, the Sandbox’s director. “And it is just one example of how the Digital Sandbox program can partner with existing organizations and institutions to extend our reach.

“Working with the UMKC E-Scholar program brings more early-stage concepts to the table for funding consideration such as these three new companies. One of our goals is to create more new KC-based companies and jobs.  I’m confident these three are off to a good start.”