Kano's Computer Kits Let Kids Build Their Own Devices
Alex Klein, co-founder and CEO of Kano, discusses the company's latest funding round of $28 million. The company has released its technology to 4,500 retailers nationwide, including Best Buy and Target.
Klein talks about the inspiration behind the creation of the company, which started with a 2013 Kickstarter campaign that raised over a million dollars. The Kano computer kit was created to open access to computers to people who would not normally have them. It helps people who might not be able to buy devices build computers by themselves! Klein notes that even though the kits cater to kids, they are great for anyone who wants to know how a computer works.
Klein notes that part of his inspiration for Kano was the way in which Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak first introduced the Macintosh. See Cheddar Hosts Tim Stenovec and Kori Hale play with one of the kits on air.
Parallel Systems has been selected to receive $4.5 million from the Department of Energy for an advanced testing program of its autonomous, battery-electric rail vehicles. The startup, which has raised more than $53 million to date, was founded by former SpaceX engineers to reimagine the rail system by creating a more efficient, decarbonized freight network. Matt Soule, Co-founder & CEO of Parallel Systems, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss what the company hopes to achieve.
A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) aims to tackle the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, as well as the addictive nature of the sites and negative mental health impacts they have on users. The 'Nudge Act' would require studies to find and compile potential interventions that platforms could use to encourage people to think before they share a post, or log off after spending too much time on an app. The FTC would create rules based on these findings, and hold the platforms accountable. But will it work? Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, joins Closing Bell to discuss the bill, whether real results and regulations could come from it, and more.
A.I.-based entertainment company, Deedub, recently raised
$20 million in a Series A round, led by Insight Partners. Deepdub uses A.I. technology to automate the dubbing process for foreign-language movies or TV shows, while using actors' original voices. The company says it can take just two to three minutes of data from an actor's voice and transform the voice into a different language. The funding comes as foreign-language films and shows like Netflix's 'Squid Game' have recently become more popular with audiences in the U.S. and around the world. Oz Krakowski, Chief Revenue Officer at Deepdub, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
