Sure, the latest initiatives from the Teslas, Apples and Googles of the industry tend to dominate the tech news space — and with good reason. Still, the tech titans aren’t the only ones bringing innovation to the sector.
In an effort to highlight up-and-coming startups, Built In has launched The Future 5 across 11 major U.S. tech hubs. Each quarter, we will feature five tech startups, nonprofits or entrepreneurs in each of these hubs who just might be working on the next big thing. Read our round-up of San Francisco’s rising startups from last quarter here.
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Eric Brownrout loved running as a kid but as he grew up, college, work and other responsibilities made it difficult to keep up with a fitness routine. He would try to get back to running on a regular basis but found he was often injuring himself and didn’t have the willpower to keep up the habit.
“Luckily for me, I had someone I could turn to. My brother was an avid and accomplished runner, and after several failed attempts on my own, he showed me the ropes,” Brownrout told Built In via email. “He taught me the right paces, distance, frequency, running form and more to safely get started, and he provided support and accountability to stick with it and make it a habit. And it changed my life.”
That’s the idea behind his coaching platform for runners, Perform. Brownrout co-founded the startup with Chris Mathiesen last year. The app helps coaches manage athletes at scale, making it a more affordable option for runners looking for expert advice. Users are matched with a Perform coach who uses the startup’s technology to build personalized training programs. After each workout, the app automatically imports a user’s fitness data which can be used by coaches to suggest ways to improve training and stay on track with their goals.
Perform uniquely combines human coaching with best-in-class technology to make one-on-one coaching and training more accessible than ever before.”
The app is helpful for both seasoned runners and those who have tried running but haven’t been able to build up the habit, Brownrout said. For habitual runners, Perform is able to coach them on how to avoid injuries. For new runners, the app allows users to work one-on-one with a coach to find a regimen that works for them. It also helps keep runners accountable.
“At Perform, we’re trying to put an expert in every runner’s corner. ... There are a lot of great resources out there for runners, but very few runners have access today to quality coaching and instruction. Perform uniquely combines human coaching with best-in-class technology to make one-on-one coaching and training more accessible than ever before,” Brownrout said. “Perform is great for runners of all levels who are looking for something more engaging, tailored and personalized than an off-the-shelf solution, without breaking the bank.”
The company’s user response has been positive so far. Brownrout said many of Perform’s users have seen improvements not only in their running but also in other health-related areas. Some have reported that they quit smoking, lost weight and improved their mental health.
Since its pre-seed funding earlier this month, the startup has been focused on the growth of its product and team. Perform recently announced its partnership with running professional Meb Keflezighi, who the company plans to collaborate with to develop new products and bring the app to a larger audience.
Perform is also currently hiring coaches, a head of growth and a founding engineer.
