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

        This AI keyboard can write your next email with the push of just one button; its creator says it could revolutionize workplaces

        By Tommy Felts | October 28, 2025

        Hardware — not just software — should be at the forefront of the AI’s future, Jerry Hsu shared. After the successful release of its GPT-powered AI mouse, Jethro V1, in late 2024, Overland Park-based Virtusx — which is revolutionizing workplaces through integrating hardware and software to make AI-driving products more accessible and user-friendly — has…

        Alexa, show me the winners: Storytailor leads Pure Pitch Rally prize tally ahead of tech launch

        By Tommy Felts | October 28, 2025

        Storytailor’s marquee Pure Pitch Rally win comes at the perfect time for the Kansas City startup, its founders said. They’re preparing to roll out a new immersive storytelling platform through a partnership with Amazon’s Alexa+ next year — a move expected to bring their tech to more than 200 million Prime users. “It’s the most…

        LISTEN: How the Midwest opened this German agtech company’s eyes to opportunity in the US

        By Tommy Felts | October 27, 2025

        On this episode of our 12-part Plug and Play Topeka podcast series, we connect with Débora Moretti, co-CEO of NutriSen — a Berlin-based agtech startup building real-time molecular sensors to measure nutrient concentrations in plants directly on the field. Moretti shares how her team, alongside co-founder Tobias Vöpel, is merging biosensor technology, data-driven insights and…

        Crossing lanes: KC Streetcar collaborators back aboard for expansion, dropping new merch, anthem

        By Tommy Felts | October 24, 2025

        Opening the extended KC Streetcar line Friday completes a loop for creatives whose collaborations with the popular public transit system first emerged nearly a decade ago along Main Street — a time when Kansas City’s surging vibrancy helped curb streetcar doubters. “For us, it’s always been about representing Kansas City — the people, the culture,…