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
Main Street is already harnessing AI to build wealth; adoption now key to region’s growth, heartland leaders say
WICHITA, Kan. — Artificial intelligence is likely to be one of the most transformative technologies of the digital era, said Taylor Eubanks, noting that AI’s thoughtful deployment can be a tool for growth, not displacement. “By engaging directly with entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofit leaders and local innovators, we can better support responsible AI adoption that…
AlphaGraphics expansion boasts $1.4M investment, plans to create 16 new KC jobs
A production crew known for eye-catching, colorful designs splashed across Kansas City — including its own East Crossroads headquarters — is expanding its physical and human footprint, marking a key investment in the metro’s growing creative and professional services sector, local leaders said. AlphaGraphics on Tuesday announced an investment of more than $1.4 million and…
Arch Grants taps homegrown founders, Missouri startup recruits for $1.6M in awards
ST. LOUIS — The Missouri maker behind a keychain designed to save lives from opioid overdoses is among nearly two dozen companies — together awarded $1.6 million — selected for the latest Arch Grants program. The innovation economy nonprofit on Thursday honored 19 startups, alongside three new members of its expanded Arch Grants Fellows Program.…
LISTEN: Gripp helps farmers get a handle on multiple ag apps with dead-simple record keeping platform
On this episode of our 12-part Plug and Play Topeka podcast series, we explore how agtech startup Gripp is bringing structure and simplicity to farm operations. Its helps farmers connect their teams, track equipment and assets, and turn everyday routines into shared knowledge. Having grown up on a Wisconsin farm, co-founder and CEO Tracey Wiedmeyer…