Innovative solutions to the world’s physical inactivity crisis will be discussed and debated by fitness, technology, business and health professionals at ActiveLab Live! in March.
The one-day event, created by not-for-profit health body ukactive, will host keynote speeches, panel discussions, interactive workshops and demonstrations.
Speakers will include BBC technology journalist Kate Russell, space entrepreneur and Mars One chief executive Bas Lansdorp, as well as Thought Expansion Network founder Jonathan MacDonald – a change advocate who has advised companies including Google, Apple, Nestlé, Microsoft and IKEA.
Also at the conference, the winner of the ActiveLab startup mentoring scheme will be announced. ActiveLab – a physical activity-focused startup accelerator – was launched last year by ukactive with founding partners AXA PPP and Tech City UK.
The three-month programme has seen 12 startups receive a series of networking opportunities with investors and physical activity firms, as well as mentorship and expert workshops on the challenges of scaling a business.
Among the concepts vying for the top prize will be a virtual reality chair designed to get computer gamers active, a wireless circuit that inspires movement in the workplace, a ‘fitbit for strength training’, and a fitness-themed community hub for older people.
The winner will receive a “premium accelerator toolkit” worth £25,000 to fast-track their concept.
Steven Ward, ukactive executive director, said: "The convergence of fitness, fashion, health and technology is ushering in a new dawn of opportunity for physical activity and ActiveLab Live! will set out the blueprint for how we convert this potential into tangible societal change.
“As we'll hear at ActiveLab Live! from Bas Lansdorp, humankind now seeks to colonise Mars. If that ambition lies within our reach, I believe that solving inactivity does too. It will require transformational innovation to get there but, even if we fail, we will learn a whole lot trying. And that's more fun than standing still or doing marginally better or worse than we did last year.”
Matthew Ward, ActiveLab judge and AXA PPP healthcare head of innovation, said: "The physical activity landscape continues to be a key focus for AXA PPP healthcare and we will continue to help lead innovation in this space for the benefit of our members and the wider health of society."
ActiveLab! Live takes place at The Crystal in London on 15 March.
