The future of the tech industry lies in getting kids interested in computers, specifically in getting kids interested in coding. Of course, getting kids interested enough to want to learn anything properly can be harder than it looks.
London startup Kano came up with an interesting solution, launching a build-it-yourself computer kit that, once built, helps kids learn to code. The project originally launched on Kickstarter two years ago, offering buyers a $149 kit which included a Raspberry Pi Model B computer - a credit card-sized single board computer designed to help people learn programming - a keyboard, case, cables, the Kano OS, and illustrated books explaining how to put the computer together and begin to code.
Looking to raise $100,000 through the Kickstarter, Kano ended up making $1.5 million, shipping 18,000 kits to 86 countries. This month Kano launched its second computer, built on the speedier Raspberry Pi 2, also offering users of the original kit a Powerup Kit to update their model.
Alex Klein, co-founder of Kano, said the startup sees itself as a computer company that puts creativity, rather than just consumption, at the core.
“Everyone, any age, anywhere, has a shared human urge to look inside, take control, make, and play. Kano is a simple, affordable playkit that makes it possible in the digital age,” Klein said.
The idea for Kano came from Klein’s experience with a little cousin who wanted to make and talk to a computer, like Lego.
Once a user puts the computer together, they can learn how to build games themselves.
The concept of Kano has drawn comparisons to the early days of the personal computer, when passionate users had to largely put machines together themselves. Indeed, the Raspberry Pi was developed in response to the droves of computer science students arriving at university without having done much outside of web development, unlike say, Bill Gates.
With over 30,000 kits now having been shipped, Klein said the average age of the Kano user is about 9 and a half, with the split between boys and girls at 60 to 40 percent. However, he said girls have proven to be some of the community’s most active creators.
While the Kano kit is targeted towards kids, it’s also being used by adults.
“We want to make coding child’s play, for adults too...we’re for the spirit of the curious 9-year-old in everyone, and we’re working to democratize the ability to make, not just use, technology,” Klein said.
Last month, Kano announced it had raised $15 million in Series A funding, which TechCrunch reported will go towards expanding its product platform and expanding the business outside its core markets in the US and UK.
The startup is also giving its community of users the chance to invest in the round, with $500,000 available for people to invest via equity crowdfunding platform Quire.
With the startup also having launched the Kano Academy charity, Klein said the startup is also looking at partnerships that can help provide kids in need with greater access to computers.
“We’d love to do a Minecraft Master Builder kit with Microsoft, or a Drone Kit with LEGO. In the education space, we’ve partnered with organizations like UNESCO and Pearson to get the kit out to more kids, faster,” he said.
