Need for speed: Mozilla awards $101K to local gigabit projects
January 23, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
The Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund announced it will award a total of $101,000 to fund six local projects that use gigabit technology to impact learning.
The Gigabit Community Fund is a national partnership between the National Science Foundation, US Ignite and Mozilla. Locally, the fund partners with KC Digital Drive, whose goal is to leverage next generation internet technology that will spark innovation in Kansas City and nationally.
“Each of the organizations we’re working with are using an emerging technology to pioneer a new opportunity for learning, and that’s exciting,” said Janice Wait, managing director of Mozilla Gigabit Community fund, Kansas City chapter. “Through these projects, we’re able to support growing ecosystem of education innovation in Kansas City.”
In addition to Kansas City, Mozilla announced grant recipients in Austin and Chattanooga. The pilot period for these projects will begin Jan. 30 and will last for 16 weeks.
Here are the Kansas City grant recipients:
- Big Bang — This local Internet of Things company will bring real-time internet connectivity through “Gigabots,” educational robotics that will be implemented in Kansas City and Austin, Texas.
- The Urban Farming Guys – This nonprofit dedicated to elevating equal opportunity will build an IoT Smart Greenhouse and aquaponics, offering open source food production and education.
- Trinity Animation — This Lees Summit-based animation studio will use medical VR for anatomical education.
- ElevateEDU — This project will leverage science and volunteer computing to create learning and research opportunities for students.
- V Form Alliance — The V Form Alliance, which consists of 5 women of color, will use VR to teach black history via “virtual field trips” to landmarks in Kan. and Mo.
- University of Kansas, School of Architecture, Design & Planning — To deploy population health strategy in smart cities, students and professors will lead a project and design sustainable, affordable housing.
Featured Business
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Blooom to expand with $4M Series A
Financial tech firm Blooom is blossoming into a local startup success story. The Leawood-based company announced Thursday that it raised $4 million in a Series A round to expand its operations. QED Investors from Alexandria, Va., led the round, which also included DST Systems Inc., Commerce Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners and UMB. Blooom created an online…
Report: KC needs (a lot) more venture capital
The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute released a report that says Kansas City needs more venture capital for its biotech industry. Just how much venture capital? That is up for debate. Wayne Carter, Life Sciences Institute CEO, said $100 million is the common amount thrown around in conversation regarding Kansas City’s need, and while…
90 on the Clock with ShotTracker
90 on the Clock with ShotTracker By John McGrath, KCPT, and Bobby Burch, Startland News Ed’s Note: Flatland and Startland News have partnered to highlight Kansas City’s innovators and entrepreneurs, all in 90 seconds. This is the third episode in the five-part series. From propelling the game’s emergence in the early 1900s to honing hall of fame players like…
Snafus tangle up Trellie’s future
Wearable tech firm Trellie is winding down operations after some engineering and fundraising mishaps wiped out its cash reserves. Founded in 2012 by Claude Aldridge and Jason Reid, Trellie created a wireless charm that attached to the outside of a woman’s handbag to notify her of an incoming call via flashing LED lights. The product took…