Investors pump another $8.8M into KC medical device startup, bringing funding total to $20M+ 

March 31, 2020  |  Startland News Staff

A Fairway-based medical device company is getting to the heart of its entrepreneurial journey, securing a fresh $8.8 million in Series A financing, Dr. Nicholas Franano announced Tuesday.

The additional influx to Artio — rebranded from “Metactive” earlier this winter — brings the startup’s total capital raised to more than $20 million. The company has spent years developing groundbreaking, best-in-class products for the peripheral vascular and neurovascular markets, said Franano, founder, president and CEO of Artio.

“We appreciate the strong support from our new and existing investors,” he said. “Our team is looking forward to making our innovative products available to physicians and patients.”

Click here to see why Artio/Metactive was named one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2019.

Funds from the latest round are expected to help Artio obtain 510(k) marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Solus Gold Embolization Device in the United States.

Solus Gold Embolization Device

The Solus Gold is the first metal implant to provide a solid barrier to blood flow, and is developed for peripheral vascular embolization — a minimally invasive procedure that blocks or reduces blood flow in blood vessels for patients experiencing life-threatening bleeding and other serious medical conditions.

The combination of a low-profile, flexible delivery system and a detachable gold metal implant is designed for passage through tortuous blood vessels, precision placement, and immediate vessel occlusion after placement of a single device, according to the company.

Franano’s team also has revealed two other next-gen embolization products, the Solus Flex device and Aneura system.

Click here to learn more about these peripheral vascular solutions.

“Artio is developing a strong portfolio of disruptive, next-generation peripheral vascular and neurovascular embolization products, and we were thrilled to help lead the latest round of funding,” said Nathaniel Hagedorn, founder and CEO of Northpoint Development. “I have been incredibly fortunate to have so many people help me build my business and am happy to ‘pay it forward’ to a fellow entrepreneur with a clear vision and accomplished team.”

Tagged , , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2020 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Fresh in the tin: Crossroads cafe targets TikTok generation for laid-back canned seafood cuisine

        By Tommy Felts | October 1, 2025

        A new venue specializing in “sangria, tins and snacks” pairs viral tastes with inspiration from a classic culinary voice, said longtime Kansas City restaurateur Shawn McClenny, whose Crossroads “taverna” is expected to open by mid-November. “It will be more of a Spanish cafe, very informal, no reservations,” said McClenny, describing the future Lilico’s Taverna slated…

        Lula bets on responsible growth to hit profitability; why the startup’s most valuable property is room to scale

        By Tommy Felts | October 1, 2025

        Lula opened 2025 by announcing a hefty funding round; the momentum has only continued to build, founder Bo Lais shared. On top of its $28 million Series A round in early February, the Kansas City-based proptech startup expanded to more than 50 markets nationwide and had eight straight months of record gross merchandise value and…

        World Cup hosts launch KC Game Plan for entrepreneurs; heat map, cultural insights on global visitors warming up next

        By Tommy Felts | September 30, 2025

        Kansas City boasts no better roster of ambassadors than the region’s small business owners, said Tracy Whelpley, announcing a new KC2026 “Game Plan” for entrepreneurs who are eager to put cleats to streets ahead of the incoming FIFA World Cup. “There’s so many entrepreneurial people out there and they really represent what our community is…

        Just funded: Trio of startups join Digital Sandbox KC, emerging onto competitive innovation scene

        By Tommy Felts | September 30, 2025

        Not only will proof-of-concept funding from one of Kansas City’s most pivotal startup supporters help CEO Gharib Gharibi rapidly iterate development of his company, the Archia founder said; Digital Sandbox KC connects him to a thriving local tech ecosystem at a crucial inflection point for his artificial intelligence-based solutions. “We are excited to leverage both…