- NURVV, a biomechanics innovator that launched at CES 2020 using British science to disrupt the global wearables industry, announced it closed its first venture funding round led by Hiro Capital
NURVV — a biomechanics innovator that launched at CES 2020 using British science to disrupt the global wearables industry — announced the closing of its first venture funding round led by Hiro Capital. Hiro Capital – a new sports technology, games, and e-sports venture capital fund led by Inspired Entertainment co-founder Luke Alvarez, Games Workshop co-founder Ian Livingstone CBE, LoveCrafts co-founder Cherry Freeman – had invested $9 million in NURVV’s husband and wife team of serial entrepreneurs Jason and Ulrica Roberts.
This funding will be used for bringing NURVV’s debut product NURVV Run and to fund further research and development into its patented biomechanics sensor technologies. And the funding will be used to support the founders in achieving their aim of helping 10 million runners to improve their technique.
After NURVV Run launched at this year’s Pepcom during the Consumer Electronics Show, it was featured on multiple “Best of CES” lists by brands like Wired, CNET, and Gear Patrol. Plus NURVV Run also won US Today’s Editor’s Choice award
NURVV Run has been tested by hundreds of athletes, universities and institutions, including SATRA Technology and the National Physical Laboratory over the past three years. The NURVV Run system uses 32 high-precision sensors fitted inside lightweight insoles to accurately capture data from the feet at 1,000 times per second per sensor.
“Runners are already able to collect a huge amount of data about each and every run they do. However, most of what they capture is historic, inaccurate and provides few insights on how to be a better runner,” said NURVV founder and CEO Jason Roberts. “NURVV Run revolutionizes how people run by accurately capturing the metrics that matter most, directly from the point of action at the foot, before using live coaching to help them improve in a simple, easy-to-understand way.”
The data — which includes unique running metrics such as cadence, step length, footstrike, pronation, and balance — is fed into the NURVV Run coaching app to show a complete picture of the wearer’s running technique. And it uses advanced biomechanics to deliver simple, actionable insights as well as personalized coaching that gives guidance on how to improve before, during and after each run.
“From the very beginning of this journey we kept coming back to the same question: ‘Why is running measured from the wrist, when most of the important metrics happen at the feet?’,” added NURVV co-founder Ulrica Roberts. “Driven by the idea we could revolutionize running by putting core biomechanical principles at the heart of our solution, we sought out the expertise to make it happen.”
The Running Health score helps reduce injuries by analyzing the training load, pronation, cadence, and balance for each runner. And this is done in order to identify problem areas before they become serious. Plus runners can also optimize their training with recommendations on the right distance to run to achieve their optimal training zone and avoid overtraining.
“Combining our cutting-edge wearable technology, in-house biomechanics expertise, and ongoing dialogue with the running community, NURVV Run is the most comprehensive tool for runners who crave more detailed information on their performance and technique,” explained Dr. Grant Trewartha, head of biomechanics at NURVV.
The NURVV Run insoles are compatible with all running shoes. And the insoles are rain and mud proof and come with five-hour active battery life. Plus the product ships with two GPS trackers and access to the free NURVV Run Coaching app. Plus it is compatible with iOS, Apple Watch, Android, and ANT+ (Garmin) wearables.
“Hiro is delighted to be investing in NURVV as our Fund’s fourth deal and our first Sports tech investment. NURVV’s success comes from putting the athlete’s body at the heart of everything they do. NURVV is based on fundamental patented sensor technologies combined with deep biomechanics and data science that have revolutionary potential across sports, gaming, VR/AR and wellness. Jason and Ulrica are extraordinary entrepreneurs and we are excited to be working with them and their team to take NURVV to the next level,” stated Luke Alvarez, Managing Partner of Hiro.
So far, NURVV Run has been tested during 22 million steps of durability testing and 30,000 miles covered on the road. And the company is dedicated to all runners “who want to improve their running and aim to change 10 million lives with a new way of knowing by 2025.”
