Sport England has launched its new OpenActive Accelerator, which will see 10 startups working towards creating ready-to-market digital products and services that make it easier for people to be regularly active.
With support from the Open Data Institute (ODI), the startups – selected by Sport England this month – will spend the next six-months developing 'ground-breaking new services', such as apps and websites.
The products created during the process will all be designed to make it easier for people to find sporting opportunities and get active, using interactive technology and open data.
Each startup on the programme will receive office space, training and mentorship, as well as access to the ODI, Sport England networks and a "wide range of services and perks from partners".
The 10 startups selected for the process include Spryt, a free-to-use social network helping people discover sports teammates and opponents; Find a Race, a website to search, discover and book mass participation sports events; and TrainAsONE, a personal AI running coach.
The OpenActive Accelerator programme is part of OpenActive, an initiative funded by the National Lottery via Sport England.
"The 10 startups will be supported to put people’s needs first when designing their products, appreciating that a mum taking her first steps into activity will need something different than someone looking for a personal trainer to help prepare for their tenth marathon," said Allison Savich, strategic lead for data and market innovation for Sport England.
"Sport England will share behavioural insights with the startups and support them to use the data that fits people’s lifestyles. We believe this will reduce one of the main barriers for people trying to get active."
Jeni Tennison, ODI chief executive added: "More than one in four people in the UK have no relationship with exercise. People struggle to find time to take part in activities or are not able to find an activity which suits their abilities.
"The OpenActive Accelerator brings some of the most creative minds in data and technology together with rich data sets about opportunities to get active, to create services that can help encourage more people to get more active.
"This is an exciting time for the sport and physical activity industry. By supporting these startups, we are advancing the role of data and technology in the sport and physical activity sector, and helping people get more active."
