Kano Computing
{{Short description|British computer company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Kano Computing Ltd.
| logo = Kano Logo.svg
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| type = Private
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| founded = {{start date and age|2013|df=yes}}
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| location = London, England, UK
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| founder = Alex Klein
Saul Klein
Yonatan Fridman
| president =
| key_people = Alex Klein
(CEO)
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| industry = Technology
| products = Computers, hardware, educational software
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| num_employees = <50 employees
| num_employees_year = 2021
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| website = {{URL|https://www.kano.me}}
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Kano Computing is a London-based startup that specializes in computer hardware and software. Founded in January 2013, the company focuses on creating educational kits that utilize Raspberry Pi single-board computers to teach STEM subjects to children. Kano Computing is known for its innovative approach to technology education and has gained recognition for its products and initiatives in the tech industry.
The company received recognition for its approach, securing funding through crowdfunding campaigns and a £14 million investment from HSBC. Collaborations with Kanye West and Novak Djokovic highlighted Kano's impact in the tech and education sectors. Accolades include Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies list, Time's Invention of the Year awards, and the Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions global marketing awards.
History
Kano was founded in January 2013 by Alex Klein, son of Getty Images co-founder Jonathan Klein; his cousin, Saul Klein, a major tech venture capitalist; and Yonatan Raz-Fridman. The company's name originated from Kanō Jigorō, the creator of judo.Kickstarter.com: Kano: A computer anyone can make. Retrieved April 9, 2016. Kano was a computing company that sold kits consisting of Raspberry Pi single-board computers and various accessories for teaching STEM, computing, and robotics to children.{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=2023-01-12 |title=As it shifts focus from DIY computer kits, Kano spins out its creative software suite as a standalone business |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/12/as-it-pivots-away-from-diy-computer-kits-kano-spins-out-its-creative-software-suite-as-a-standalone-business/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}
In 2023, Kano split its business and formed a second company named Kano World. Ollie Dotsch, former head of sales and education at Kano Computing, serves as CEO.
Products
File:Kano-Computer-Kit (cropped).jpg
In August 2013, Kano launched an initial Kano Computer Prototype box. It consisted 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/19/kano-computer-kit-by-map/|title=Kano computer kit by MAP|date=19 November 2013|website=Dezeen}}
In 2014, the firm launched the Kano Computer Kit, an educational computer kit to teach hardware assembly and basic programming skills.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/09/27/kano-ships/|title=Kano Ships Its First 18,000 Learn-To-Code Computer Kits, Fueled By $1.5M Kickstarter|date=27 September 2014 }} It was built on Raspberry Pi circuit boards and the company's custom open-source operating system, Kano OS.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/04/kano-ceo-alex-klein-wants-computer-building-coding-to-be-easy-as-lego.html|title=Meet the 28-year-old who wants building computers and coding to be as easy as playing with Lego|first=Ryan|last=Browne|date=4 December 2018|website=CNBC}}
In 2018, the firm partnered with Warner Bros to release an electronic Harry Potter wand.{{Cite news|date=2018-07-24|title=Harry Potter Will Help Kids Learn to Code With U.K. Startup Kano|language=en|work=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-24/harry-potter-will-help-kids-learn-to-code-with-u-k-startup-kano|access-date=2021-09-21}} Kano themselves stated the aim of the firm was to teach the basics of languages such as JavaScript.
Also in 2018, the firm released motion sensor kits with Frozen and Star Wars themes in a multi-year partnership with Disney.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/go/1410837|title=Kano's coding kits teach your kids how to build their own computers using characters from Frozen 2, Star Wars and Harry Potter|website=Expert Reviews|date=18 November 2019 }} 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.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/19/18628321/microsoft-kano-pc-windows-10-diy-building-kit-kids|title=Microsoft and Kano are launching a build-your-own Windows 10 PC kit|first=Dami|last=Lee|date=19 June 2019|website=The Verge}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://teamkano.medium.com/what-is-jams-how-you-can-create-compete-learn-together-8c6be824b823|title=What is JAMS? How You Can Create, Compete & Learn Together.|date=11 March 2021|website=Team Kano Medium}}
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.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}
In June 2023, Kano Computing went into administration,{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4383368|website=The Gazette|title=Appointment of Administrators|date=12 June 2023|first=Sheniz|last=Bayram}} and its assets were sold{{Cite web| url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08375450/filing-history/MzM4MzQ5MzQ3M2FkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0|date=16 June 2023|title=Form AMO3, Administrators notice of Proposal|website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk|first=William Anthony|last=Batty}} to Ashdust LLP, a company connected to Kano Computing's CEO, Alex Klein.
Under Ashdust, the company continues its operations and intends to launch new products{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-01-09 |title=The makers of the Stem Player made a small projector that's Kanye West-free |url=https://www.theverge.com/23538109/stem-player-projector-kanye-west-ye-kano-computing |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}} under the Stem brand, including the Stem2 Speaker and Stem3 Projector.
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.{{Cite web|url=https://allthingsd.com/20131203/the-99-kids-computer-kit-kano-is-about-to-hit-1m-on-kickstarter/|title=The $99 Kid's Computer Kit Kano Is About to Hit $1M on Kickstarter}} Initial backers of the Kano were users from over 80 countries.{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/159078/steve-wozniak-just-backed-a-diy-computer-on-kickstarter-and-so-have-12000-others/|title=Steve Wozniak just backed a DIY computer on Kickstarter—and so have 12,000 others|first=Leo|last=Mirani|website=Quartz|date=17 December 2013 }}
File:Kano pixel, camera, and speaker kits.jpg
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{{Cite tweet |user=jimmy_wales |number=782950170178756608 |title=Simple kits to make & code – cameras, speakers, pixels, sensors. @TeamKano @Kickstarter NOW http://kck.st/2doYZ0x}}
In April 2019, Kano announced a £14 million funding package from HSBC.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/kano-plugs-into-more-cash-for-expansion-vvq26wcwb|title=Kano plugs into more cash for expansion|first=James|last=Hurley|date=31 August 2023 |via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}
Alex Klein served as the company's chief executive officer (CEO).{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |date=2018-12-04 |title=Meet the 28-year-old who wants building computers and coding to be as easy as playing with Lego |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/04/kano-ceo-alex-klein-wants-computer-building-coding-to-be-easy-as-lego.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
Links to Kanye West
In January 2019, American musician and businessman Kanye West met Alex Klein during a chance encounter at the CES technology show in Las Vegas.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/bff33be4-2b0b-11ea-84be-a548267b914b|title=Start-ups can benefit from moneyed tech enthusiasts as patrons|first=Jonathan|last=Margolis |newspaper=Financial Times |date=3 January 2020 |via=www.ft.com}}
Through early 2019, the company was said to have been collaborating with West on an undisclosed technology product, later revealed in August 2021 to be the Donda Stem Player.{{Cite news|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/11/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-tech-ceo-writer-kano-alex-klein|title=How a Tech CEO Ended Up Writing Lyrics on Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King'|first=Shawn|last=Setaro|via=www.complex.com}}{{cite news |last1=Dredge |first1=Stuart |title=Kanye West launches a $200 Donda Stem Player with Kano |url=https://musically.com/2021/08/25/kanye-west-launches-a-200-donda-stem-player-with-kano/}}
In November 2019, CEO Klein contributed lyrics to the Jesus is King track Water.{{Cite news|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/here-are-the-full-credits-for-kanye-new-album-jesus-is-king-clipse-kenny-g-and-more/|title=Here Are the Full Credits for Kanye's New Album Jesus Is King: Clipse, Kenny G, and More|first=Noah|last=Yoo|date=25 October 2019 |via=www.pitchfork.com}}
In October 2021, Kano began shipping the Donda Stem Player.
In January 2023, in light of West's antisemitic remarks, Kano announced that their collaboration with West has ended, and that the Donda Stem Player would be discontinued.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-01-09 |title=The makers of the Stem Player made a small projector that's Kanye West-free |url=https://www.theverge.com/23538109/stem-player-projector-kanye-west-ye-kano-computing |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |quote=I asked if Ye was a part of the project at all. Klein told me that Ye was not involved with the projector and that the company's collaboration with the rapper, which included making the Stem Player the exclusive home of Donda 2, has ended.}}
Recognition
In 2015, Kano won the reddot design award 2015.{{Cite web |title=Red Dot Design Award: Kano |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/kano-33536 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=www.red-dot.org}}
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.{{Cite tweet |user=DojokerNole |number=790831418482036736 |title=This is such a great initiative! Can't wait to put together my first computer!}}
In 2019, Kano was ranked number 24 on Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies list.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2019|title=The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2019|website=Fast Company}} The company also received Time's Invention of the Year awards in 2018 and 2019.{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2019/5733076/kano-pc/|title=Kano PC: The 100 Best Inventions of 2019|magazine=Time}} In 2014, the company was awarded a Golden Lion at the Cannes Lions global marketing awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.adforum.com/award-organization/6650183/showcase/2014/winners|title=Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Award Winners Overview 2014|website=www.adforum.com}} They were also the recipient of a Webby Award{{Cite web|url=http://winners.webbyawards.com/2015/apps-and-software/mobile-ott-app-features/connected-products-wearables/158738/kano-a-computer-anyone-can-make|title=NEW Webby Gallery + Index|website=NEW Webby Gallery + Index}} and a CES Award in 2015 and 2018 respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://graphics.wsj.com/image-grid/best-of-ces-2018/5832/kano-camera-kit|title=Kano Camera Kit | Best of CES 2018: A Glimpse of Brilliant, Necessary and/or Totally Crazy Technologies to Come |website=The Wall Street Journal}}
References
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Category:Technology companies based in London
Category:2013 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:2023 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Kickstarter-funded products
Category:Computer companies established in 2013
Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2023
Category:Defunct computer companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Defunct software companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Defunct computer hardware companies
Category:Consumer electronics brands
Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom