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

        Development leaders laud HQ expansion for organization that opens workforce to Kansas Citians with autism 

        By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2025

        A new multimillion-dollar, 80,000-square-foot headquarters along Kansas City’s Brush Creek marks a major milestone for Behavioral Health Allies, strengthening the organization’s workforce training efforts and its belief in the potential for individuals with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, officials said Wednesday. “This expansion is exactly the kind of investment Kansas City needs,” said Tracey…

        LaunchKC opens grants competition with nationwide search; eying companies to call KC home

        By Tommy Felts | August 28, 2025

        A popular grants competition that offers early stage tech companies the opportunity to win $60,000 in non-dilutive grants, downtown Kansas City office space, and access to scaling resources is back for 2025 — emphasizing startups with high-growth potential and equitable business practices. LaunchKC’s signature Liftoff grants competition opened applications Thursday, kicking off a nationwide search…

        MOSourceLink adds startup founder as new ‘Network Convener’ to rally ESOs, entrepreneurs

        By Tommy Felts | August 27, 2025

        A newly-created role is expected to help strengthen connections between entrepreneur support organizations across the state and promote the wealth of resources available to Missouri’s entrepreneurs. Adam Larson — founder of Decimal Projects, CEO of Catnip Budz Gourmet Catnip, and former program coordinator at Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UMKC — moves to…

        Mental reps and truth bombs: How this AI ‘coach-in-your-pocket’ strength trains minds before life’s hardest workouts

        By Tommy Felts | August 26, 2025

        Building mental resilience should feel as natural as going to the gym, said Craig Mason, noting his new venture flexes a “performance psychologist, coach in your pocket, 24/7.”  The emphasis: training the mind before crises hit. “Myndset is really designed to be a mental strength training platform,” said Mason, founder of the Kansas City-based startup.…