Running wearables specialist NURVV Run has been awarded an award of funding and intensive mentoring from the Business of Fashion, Textiles and Technology (BFTT) Creative R&D Programme.
As a result of the award, NURVV Run, working with the University of the Arts London, will receive a comprehensive support package. This includes access to a part-time researcher to deliver an R&D project that will be focused on the smart insole’s next phase of innovation.
The project will also include mentoring from leading academics, hands-on specialist creative and technical advice, as well as ongoing project management and strategic business support. The project will take place during 2021 and 2022.
From over 140 new applications for the BFTT Creative R&D Programme, 15 were shortlisted, and these were provided with one-to-one mentoring, business workshops and training to help develop their initial concepts into full-fledged business plans.
The shortlisted businesses then had to pitch their idea to a panel of industry and academic experts – with just ten applications, including NURVV Run, making the final cut.
Nigel Waites, Chief Technology Officer at NURVV Run, said “Being shortlisted by BFTT for the Creative R&D programme is both a fantastic recognition of what we have achieved to date, as well a great opportunity for NURVV Run to benefit from additional, high level R&D input.
“This input, provided from an independent, third party, academic perspective will provide us with invaluable technical insights, that will complement and enhance the on-going efforts of our own in-house R&D team. Our main goal for this BFTT support is to concentrate on our mission to help runners run faster, further and reduce risk of injury.”
He continued, “This support will supplement our own considerable investment in on-going research and development activity, ensuring NURVV Run insole and tracking technology stays ahead of the competition and increases its relevance to runners of all levels, including from the standpoint of sustainability.”
Professor Jane Harris, BFTT Programme Director said “Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical to the economy and critical to the creative sector in particular, making up over 95% of creative businesses in the UK.
“The BFTT R&D Programme seeks to highlight the value and impact SMEs can have in our sector and on the economy, when provided with the right type of financial support and research expertise.”
Nikki Matthews, Creative R&D Programme Manager, added “We are delighted to have NURVV Run joining us in the programme. From the first cohort funded in 2020, we have seen how SMEs can be incredibly agile and creative, and the real difference that focused R&D can make to the business.
“This programme will provide NURVV Run with multi-disciplinary and multi sector expertise, to accelerate the innovation of sustainable business models, processes and products.”
This new award brings the total investment by BFTT – including this Creative R&D Programme, and collaborative research across three additional BFTT projects – to approximately £2.8 million across 35 SME’s, with the creation of at least 20 new jobs.
