A new KC-based program, Energy Sandbox, is going to offer proof-of-concept support to entrepreneurs in the energy sector.

It’s a joint project of Digital Sandbox KC and GXP Investments, Great Plains Energy’s nonregulated investment affiliate. (Great Plains is the holding company for Kansas City Power & Light.)

Energy Sandbox will start taking applications on July 1 on a rolling basis. Companies from Great Plains’ entire service area, including eastern Kansas and western Missouri, are encouraged to apply at this website.

Approved companies could receive assistance in paying for legal services, consultants, prototyping, beta-testing and other work that helps them move toward commercialization.

The program will use the same “program infrastructure” as Digital Sandbox, only it’ll be devoted to energy. Organizers are looking for startups devoted to renewable energy, energy infrastructure, cybersecurity, microgrid projects and custom energy solutions.

“With the help of many Kansas City corporations and organizations, we’ve been very successful in moving tech entrepreneurs significantly forward and creating new jobs throughout the city,” said Jeff Shackelford, the director of Digital Sandbox CK.

“GXP Investments said, ‘Why not do the same for early-stage energy-focused entrepreneurs’ and stepped up to be the founding partner. Our hope is to stimulate much early-stage entrepreneurial activity in the energy space and to involve many other corporate partners.”