Byrd

Idea

Introduction

Byrd is the coaching platform that works around everyday life to keep people running. Our unique EQAI-coach™ uses 1 billion variables to generate the right run, at the right time, for each individual.

We've seen over the last year of lockdown the importance of investing in our health. Running has seen a massive boost in the last year. In 2018 we estimate there were 200 million people running globally. We believe by keeping these people running, we’ll create an opportunity space in a market we estimate to be worth $2.4bn.

Life is complex and time is short for everyone. Byrd’s EQAI-coach™ keeps each individual running by combining the power of AI with human intuition. It coaches people to their goal, whether that’s simply to remain healthy, or to hit a specific event.

Running is no longer just about races and AI is no longer just about data. Byrd is at the intersection of a new approach to health and fitness technology. We believe there is a clear space for more inclusive access to coaching experiences.

Substantial accomplishments to date

• Built up a team with product experience from Google, NPower and Dyson
• Built 500 person waiting list
• Built and tested two beta versions of Android and iOS apps
• Built early-stage version of web app
• Integrated with Garmin and API agreement with Suunto
• App built on Google Cloud infrastructure so ready to horizontally scale
• Surveyed hundreds of runners about their experience running
• Undertook in-depth focus groups and 1:1s to gather qualitative insight
• 20,000km have been run testing the product

Monetisation strategy

Byrd makes money as a B2C subscription service. In our user research 97.1% of respondents said they would pay for the type of service Byrd was offering. They gave a price range between £6 - £24 for the expected monthly subscription fee.

We expect the market to grow significantly in the next decade: we’re at the start of exercise - and time in the outdoors - being prescribed by GPs, integrated wellbeing initiatives at work and more people seeing their health and fitness as a key element of self-care. We expect to be growing from a starting point of runners in run clubs to meeting other runners wherever they are, be that at parkrun, work or their community run crew.

The end customer is always the most important person in mind. We’re taking an entirely human-centred approach to design. However, there are many ways to reach our customers. Whilst our launch in 2021 is a straightforward B2C SAAS product we’re already in discussion with corporate partners, race organisers and coaches about how Byrd can rapidly expand to create a B2B2C pipeline.

Use of proceeds

Our goal for 2021 is to launch Byrd and grow to a user base of 7,000. We aim to reach that by growing our team and launching our go-to-market strategy. Funds from this campaign will be invested between those activities seeing 40% invested in product, 20% in acquisition, 23% in marketing, and 17% in customer experience.