Young Gun-founded computer kit company Kano announces major US retail growth

Kano, the London-based ‘build it yourself’ computer kit company founded by Growing Business Young Guns Yonatan Raz-Fridman and Alex Klein, has unveiled its first major retail expansion into the US through partnerships with Toys “R” Us and Barnes & Noble.

Kano’s computer kit and screen kit is now available through both of the retail stores’ websites and are slated to be available in all Toys “R” Us and 640 Barnes & Noble stores by autumn.

Launched in 2013, Kano’s range of kits and open coding platforms allow anyone from age six and up to build a computer from scratch. The start-up claims its kits are currently used in more than 500 education programmes and 200 clubs across Europe, North America, Asia and Africa.

To date, the business has raised a total of $19m in funding including a Kickstarter campaign and a $15m Series A round, which it used to support this US expansion.

Klein commented: “The natural next step was for us to partner with retail leaders Toys “R”Us and Barnes & Noble who support our mission and have the ability to share Kano’s innovative products with children and adults alike nationwide.”