FitFinder is a digital marketing and advertising platform for gyms and personal trainers helping them to reach more potential customers with their facilities, products and services. FitFinder will make it much easier for these potential customers to find their perfect fitness experience, using the search function of FitFinder to view the online profiles created by gyms and personal trainers which will include a comprehensive ratings system, classes, services, facility details, online stores and much more.

The FitFinder team consists of Odhrán Hassan, Justin Boyd, Tiernan McCloskey, Mark Henning and Aidan Clarke. All five members are currently in their final year of study at the University of Ulster Coleraine, studying various business degrees ranging from business management to business with media.

The idea for FitFinder came from Odhrán’s experience of finding a gym suitable for his fitness needs in Belfast during a placement year. The idea however was never explored until the team were brainstorming business ideas for a final year entrepreneurship module. During market research carried out for the module is when the FitFinder team realised that there was a clear gap in the market for the platform.

FitFinder are currently gaining recognition for their innovative digital marketing platform, winning a place in the semi-finals of the Catalyst Invent competition 2018, the team will showcase FitFinder in front of an audience of over 300 people and 6 judges on the 23rd of May. FitFinder have also received praise from TechStart NI for the idea and have been encouraged by the organisation to complete a “Proof of Concept” grant application which will be submitted on the 9th of May.

Unfortunately, the only problem with these great funding opportunities is that FitFinder will not receive any potential funding from them until October and July respectively. This is the reason behind FitFinder beginning a crowdfunding campaign, as the team are extremely keen to raise enough money to allow them to create a working prototype.

If FitFinder were to reach its minimum target it would provide the team with enough funding to develop a working prototype. The prototype is vital for FitFinder going forward as a company as it will be used in future presentations, pursuing future channels for funding, demonstrating the platform to potential customers and building a solid foundation for the platform to be developed from.

If you have any questions regarding FitFinder or would like to learn about the platform in more detail feel free to email oh1994@live.com.