Member Article

Washington fitness entrepreneurs launch new app

A Washington-based fitness business has invested in a new app following investment from the North East Business Support Fund (NEBSF).

Fitstream, which was set up by fitness entrepreneurs Kris Kennedy and Paul Cranston, is set for growth after launching a new app and as well as their next generation website – www.fitstream.com.

The app, which allows users to track and improve their fitness levels, works alongside their new multi-function ecommerce website to reach out to fitness enthusiasts both nationally and internationally.

Since the app launched, it has already been downloaded by more than 1,400 people and the website is currently attracting more than 35,000 unique users each month – a figure the business hopes will increase further with planned marketing activity ahead.

The company was supported in developing its new app and website by the North East Business Support Fund (NEBSF), an ERDF initiative that provides 40 per cent funding - up to £1400 - towards a project worth up to £3500.

Kris said: “The business was born out of a passion for health and fitness, and though it is a competitive market, we’ve developed a site and application that we believe is intuitive, user friendly and that can really help take the business forward.

“Between us, Paul and I have good technical skills, but we needed additional support with the design elements of the project and having access to funding to offset the cost was really helpful and is something we are sure will be hugely beneficial to us.”

The company, which was set up in 2009, has been run as a side-line by Kris and Paul, who initially developed an affiliate site operating predominantly in the US market. The pair then took the business a step further, honing in on their interest in fitness and developing e-commerce functionality to allow them to recommend and retail products.

The business applied for support from the NEBSF, which provided them with £1,200 towards the cost of the design of the site and app.

Lynne Burns, North East business support manager, said: “For businesses of all sizes, NEBSF can really help to take projects forward. What might otherwise not be financially viable for a company can be made possible by accessing the fund and ultimately, the return can be significant.

She added: “We help businesses with a range of projects, from marketing and web design to financial or human resources planning. The fund has already assisted more than 1,000 businesses. It is incredibly easy to access support and there is funding still available for businesses looking to put a project in place.”

For more information about the North East Business Support Fund, call 01670 813322, visit www.nbsl.org.uk of follow them on Twitter at @nbsl_info.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .