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Kano Computing

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Kano Computing Ltd.
Company typePrivate
IndustryTechnology
Founded2013; 12 years ago (2013)
FounderAlex Klein
Saul Klein
Yonatan Fridman
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Key people
Alex Klein
(CEO)
ProductsComputers, hardware, educational software
Number of employees
<50 employees (2021)
Websitewww.kano.tech

Kano Computing is a global computer hardware and software start-up based in London.

History

Kano was founded in January 2013 by Alex Klein, Saul Klein, and Yonatan Raz-Fridman. The company's name originates from Kanō Jigorō, the creator of judo.[1]

Products

A Kano Computer Kit in box

In August 2013, Kano launched an initial Kano Computer Prototype box. Itconsisted of a small USB keyboard, several prototype booklets, a case, a Raspberry Pi 1, and an SD card loaded with an early version of the Raspbian OS. All 200 prototypes released were sold.[2]

In 2014, the firm launched the Kano Computer Kit, an educational computer kit to teach hardware assembly and basic programming skills.[3] It was built on Raspberry Pi circuit boards and the company's custom open-source operating system, Kano OS.[4]

In 2018, the firm partnered with Warner Bros to release an electronic Harry Potter wand .[5] The aim, according to the firm, Kano, was "to teach...the basics of languages like JavaScript, ."[5]

Also in 2018, the firm released motion sensor kits with Frozen and Star Wars themes in a multi-year partnership with Disney.[6] The USB motion sensor detects movement in front of the sensor's receptacle and users were given the ability to program objects based on the motion used above the device.[6]

In 2019, the company partnered with Microsoft to release the Kano PC, a laptop and tablet pre-loaded with both Windows 10 and Kano's educational tools.[7] Later in 2019, Kano launched its first educational subscription, Kano Club, where users can access programming and animation software, lessons and tutorials online. The service also includes a multiplayer component, and a community section.[8]

Kano launched a line of computer accessories in 2020 to coincide with its Kano PC release. These included a mouse, headphones and webcam. In October 2021, the firm began shipping of the Stem Player in partnership with Yeezy Tech and Kanye West.

Funding

Kano launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Kickstarter platform in November 2013. The company raised over $1.5 million from 13,387 backers, at the time becoming the crowdfunding service's largest learning campaign.[9] Initial backers of the Kano were users from over 80 countries ..[10]

Kano pixel, camera, and speaker kits.

In 2016, Kano initiated a second Kickstarter campaign to fund products including a pixel art kit, motion sensor and webcam. The campaign generated $643,030 from 2,399 backers [11]

In April 2019, Kano announced a £14 million funding package from HSBC,c].[12]

Alex Klein currently serves as the company's chief executive officer (CEO).

In January 2019, American musician and businessman Kanye West invested an undisclosed sum into the company following a chance encounter at the CES technology show in Las Vegas.[13]

Since early 2019, the company are said to have been collaborating with West on an undisclosed technology product later revealed in August 2021 to be the Donda Stem Player.[14][15]

In November 2019, CEO Klein contributed lyrics to the Jesus is King track Water.[16]

In October 2021, Kano began shipping the Donda Stem Player.[17]

Recognition

In October 2016, the company began to work with Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and his charitable foundation to deliver computer kits to Serbian children.[18]

In 2019, Kano was ranked number 24 on Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies list.[19] The company also received Time's Invention of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019.[20] In 2014, the company was awarded a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions global marketing awards.[21] They were also the recipient of a Webby Award[22] and a CES Award in 2015 and 2018 respectively.[23]

References

  1. ^ Kickstarter.com: Kano: A computer anyone can make. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  2. ^ "Kano computer kit by MAP". Dezeen. 19 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Kano Ships Its First 18,000 Learn-To-Code Computer Kits, Fueled By $1.5M Kickstarter".
  4. ^ Browne, Ryan (4 December 2018). "Meet the 28-year-old who wants building computers and coding to be as easy as playing with Lego". CNBC.
  5. ^ a b "Harry Potter Will Help Kids Learn to Code With U.K. Startup Kano". Bloomberg News. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  6. ^ a b "Kano's coding kits teach your kids how to build their own computers using characters from Frozen 2, Star Wars and Harry Potter". Expert Reviews.
  7. ^ Lee, Dami (19 June 2019). "Microsoft and Kano are launching a build-your-own Windows 10 PC kit". The Verge.
  8. ^ "What is JAMS? How You Can Create, Compete & Learn Together". Team Kano Medium. 11 March 2021.
  9. ^ "The $99 Kid's Computer Kit Kano Is About to Hit $1M on Kickstarter".
  10. ^ Mirani, Leo. "Steve Wozniak just backed a DIY computer on Kickstarter—and so have 12,000 others". Quartz.
  11. ^ @jimmy_wales (October 3, 2016). "Simple kits to make & code – cameras, speakers, pixels, sensors. @TeamKano @Kickstarter NOW http://kck.st/2doYZ0x" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Hurley, James. "Kano plugs into more cash for expansion" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  13. ^ Margolis, Jonathan. "Start-ups can benefit from moneyed tech enthusiasts as patrons" – via www.ft.com.
  14. ^ Setaro, Shawn. "How a Tech CEO Ended Up Writing Lyrics on Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King'" – via www.complex.com.
  15. ^ Dredge, Stuart. "Kanye West launches a $200 Donda Stem Player with Kano".
  16. ^ Yoo, Noah. "Here Are the Full Credits for Kanye's New Album Jesus Is King: Clipse, Kenny G, and More" – via www.pitchfork.com.
  17. ^ Dredge, Stuart. "Kanye West launches a $200 Donda Stem Player with Kano".
  18. ^ @DojokerNole (October 25, 2016). "This is such a great initiative! Can't wait to put together my first computer!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2019". Fast Company.
  20. ^ "Kano PC: The 100 Best Inventions of 2019". Time.
  21. ^ "Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Award Winners Overview 2014". www.adforum.com.
  22. ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index.
  23. ^ "Kano Camera Kit | Best of CES 2018: A Glimpse of Brilliant, Necessary and/or Totally Crazy Technologies to Come". The Wall Street Journal.
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