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

        Court clutter on trial: Olathe legal tech startup puts boxes of evidence one touch away

        By Tommy Felts | August 29, 2025

        A Kansas-built innovation is reshaping courtroom outcomes with its one-touch trial prep platform that already has helped attorneys secure billions in verdicts with ease, said Jay Rutler. “I have a reputation for solving complicated problems,” added Rutler, founder and CEO of Litigen, and founder of ICON, a casino chip manufacturer. “A friend of mine, a…

        Why a City Market favorite is jumping the state line — to the food court at Oak Park Mall

        By Tommy Felts | August 29, 2025

        Its Brazilian dishes — using recipes the owners grew up eating in São Paulo — have been a City Market draw for more than a decade. Now Taste of Brazil restaurant is expanding to Johnson County, but as a quick-serve kiosk with a limited menu. Taste of Brazil Express plans a late September opening in…

        Spiced side hustle gives this Kansas culinary teacher a kick (and a growing market)

        By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2025

        Richard Wilks is bringing heat to Kansas’ food scene. A chef and community-builder at heart, Wilks created Burro, a line of chili and garlic crunch oils, sauces, and seasonings designed to fuel real connection around the table.  His growing lineup can be spotted at the Overland Park Farmers Market, where loyal customers keep coming back…

        Animal health innovators: Building on a new frontier means do-overs, even when you got it right first

        By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2025

        Kansas City-based ELIAS Animal Health earned full USDA approval for its bone cancer therapy for dogs earlier this year, but the road to commercialization has been long and anything but straight, Tammie Wahaus shared. The veteran CEO shared her story of pivots — including switching from human health to animal health and adapting to ever-changing…