Running is the most popular individual outdoor sport in the Netherlands. According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in 2021 around 10% of Dutch adults were running regularly. Running is also the sport with the highest dropout rate, however, particularly in the first year.
And it is also the cause of 21% of all sports injuries. Many people who take up running believe that it’s easy: just put on your running shoes and go. This is partly why running is such a popular and accessible way to begin exercising. The convenience and accessibility of running also mean that it appeals to a very diverse group, which varies in terms of level of fitness, BMI, age and sports experience.
A large proportion of new runners are unaware of the importance of a phased training schedule. Similarly, many do not know what to do if they experience pain or discomfort. This makes it more likely that new runners will give up. In order to prevent injuries and ensure that new runners keep running, it is essential that people are aware of the importance of proper training, and that they get proper support when they are starting out.
Do you believe that you can make novice runners in the Netherlands aware of the importance of good training and help them stick with it? If so, we look forward to your application!
What are we looking for?
We are looking for solutions from start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to help prevent new runners in the Netherlands giving up by raising awareness of the importance of proper training and providing them with training support.
A lot of support is already available for runners, but this is often less well-suited for runners who are just starting out. However, new independent runners need to be aware of the importance of a proper training plan. Those who are most at risk of giving up are generally unaware that they are lacking the required knowledge, and it is difficult to reach and persuade them.
Part of the solution will need to be educating runners that they need to acquire the right knowledge and skills. The solution should promote a phased approach to training and help runners handle the initial problems they may face.
If training is not phased and spread properly, runners will experience discomfort or fail to achieve the desired results. They will enjoy their sport less as a result, and are more likely to give up running. Improving knowledge of how to train properly among this group and providing proper support for novice runners is very useful, as this will help them to keep going and enhance their enjoyment.
We also wish to see a specific focus on certain target groups such as women, older people, those from specific socio-cultural environments and those with a higher BMI. One dilemma with regard to the latter group is that the risk of injury is higher for those with a higher BMI.
New independent runners should build up their training gradually and learn to interpret signals from their own body as well as other kinds of feedback. Most of these people do not currently seek advice from a running expert and have either not purchased a wearable device or are unable to properly interpret the data that this provides. We therefore wish to focus on awareness, as well as on support during training.
The solution may respond to various aspects of the process of taking up running independently. These include (but are not limited to):
- Visible solutions and/or modifications to public spaces to provide awareness and training support
- Providing accessible information and support when purchasing items needed for running
- Attractive technological support that provides accessible feedback on physical and/or physiological indicators (heart rate, pace, posture, etc.)
- Tailored application of existing technological support, such as wearables and/or apps, to suit novice runners and/or a specific group of novice runners
What we are not looking for
We are not looking for:
- the development of a completely new app or wearable
- the development of new sensors
- an implementation/marketing strategy for an existing solution
- testing and development of new running programmes
- testing and development of new running shoes
What we offer
- A development budget of €210,000 is available for this challenge, with a maximum of €70,000 per project (excluding VAT).
- The best entries will receive a development budget to develop an innovative concept or minimum viable product that will be tested in practice in the Netherlands.
- In addition, the winners will be able to make use of the support of Sports Innovator and Veiligheid.nl.
Assessment criteria
- Quality of the proposal (weighting: 20%)
- The proposal is presented clearly and is easy to understand. Clear goals have been formulated and the activities outlined are consistent with those goals.
- The cost of the activities is in reasonable proportion to the intended objectives and the expected results.
- Impact on the challenge outlined (weighting: 30%)
- The extent to which the proposal leads to a real improvement on what is currently available for the target group in the Netherlands.
- The extent to which the proposal is unique and distinctive.
- The extent to which the proposal is consistent with the basic principles outlined in the introduction – namely teaching knowledge and skills, providing support and helping people to derive enjoyment from running.
- The extent to which the proposal takes into account the diversity among novice runners in the Netherlands.
- The extent to which and the way in which the (specific) target group is involved.
- The extent to which the proposal is likely to achieve a real difference within one year, compared to the current situation.
- Feasibility (including technical feasibility) (weighting: 20%)
- The strategy outlined and the parties involved both inspire confidence that the plan can be implemented, in both practical and technical terms, within the period specified.
- The extent to which (the operation) of the concept is based on theoretical and/or empirical evidence and is linked to available knowledge (and technology).
- Risks and knowledge gaps have been identified.
- Economic perspective (weighting: 20%)
- The proposal includes a credible business case.
- The proposal provides an insight into the possibilities of scaling up the product/service.
- The proposal makes a convincing case that the proposed solution is not yet available on the market and/or makes it clear that the solution complements what is currently available.
- Budget (Weighting: 10%)
- Your budget (free format) is consistent with the maximum budget available for this challenge.
- You must submit your budget with your proposal.
Your pitch (max. 6 A4 sheets / 18 slides)
Include the following in your pitch:
- Description of solution:
- Brief description of the subject and its innovative nature
- Intended impact and expected results after one year
- Options for scaling up to achieve long-term sustainability
- Description of the approach:
- Strategic plan, including analysis of the feasibility of implementation and potential risks
- Support needs and required access/materials/data
- Global planning, including the start and end date of the project
- Description of team and involvement of target group:
- Brief summary of the company and the team that will work on the solution
- Intended involvement of the target group and/or intermediaries (e.g. platforms or trainers)
- Estimate of costs:
- Project costs (excluding VAT; free format) and how these relate to approach/impact
- Allocation of costs (if several parties are involved)
The pitch may be presented in free format (presentation/slide deck, letter) but it must be uploaded as a PDF file (landscape or portrait A4, max. 30 MB). Links to external locations will not be considered by the jury.
Do not forget to upload the signed Uniform European Procurement Document along with your pitch/proposal! Download this here N.B.: can only be opened and completed using Adobe Acrobat Reader (download).
You can submit your pitch in English.
Conditions for participation
It must be possible to begin the project before 1 January 2024 and the maximum duration is one year.
When registering, in addition to a pitch/quote, you must also complete the Uniform European Procurement Form. Furthermore, if you are successful, you must submit a number of formal documents when the contract is awarded:
- Proof of enrolment with Chamber of Commerce
- Declaration of compliance with tax obligations
- Statement of Conduct for contractors
- Evidence of business or professional liability insurance
For all these details, please refer to the full procedure document (quotation request document, in Dutch). The General Terms and Conditions for Government Procurement (ARVODI-2018) are applicable to this challenge.
Timeline
- Wednesday 23 August 2023: launch of challenge
- Tuesday 12 September 2023, 9:30: online information meeting
- Monday, 2 October, 12:00: deadline for questions
- Thursday 5 October: final answer to questions (Information Memorandum)
- Thursday 12 October, 17:00: deadline for challenge
After submitting your proposal, the timeline will look like this:
- Early November: invitation to the live pitch round
- Wednesday 15 November: live pitch round
- End of November: announcement of results
- Window for appeals and objections
- December 2023: send letter of engagement
- No later than one month following the award: final start date for implementation
About us
Sports Innovator is the sports innovation network for the Netherlands. Our mission is to drive and implement innovative solutions for a lifetime of enjoyment in sport and taking exercise. The Sports Innovator ecosystem consists of Sports Innovator centres, sports organisations, the business community, knowledge institutions and municipalities. They work together on groundbreaking innovations. Sports Innovator supports innovations that contribute to elite sports and accelerate the process of making sport and sports facilities more sustainable. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport’s Sports Innovator initiative is supported by ZonMw, the Dutch organisation for health research and development.