By Business & Finance 
Business & Finance highlights some of the top movers and shakers in Ireland.
What is it?
RunTech is a single-sensor system for analysing runners’ technique, and a cross-platform application that gives guidance and feedback to runners to help them avoid injury and improve performance metrics. The application is paired with a single inertial sensor worn by individual runners.
The application provides rapid movement analysis, allows runners to update a library of their movement patterns, can help prevent overtraining through a warning signal system, provides biomechancial feedback and analysis, and provides direct feedback on performance.
How is it funded?
RunTech is an early-stage venture that emerged following the 2015 UCD Data Science Innovation Sprint Programme held at NovaUCD last December, at which RunTech was the overall winner. Martin and Darragh’s research is funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland respectively, and they aim to seek investment in their virtual running coach later in 2016.
The aim of the Innovation Sprint Programme was to encourage the development of commercial outputs arising from data science research taking place at UCD by engaging with researchers at an earlier stage in the commercialisation process.
Who’s behind it?
Martin O’Reilly and Darragh Whelan, both PhD students at the UCD Insight Centre for Data Analytics. Martin is a sports and exercise engineer combining sensors, programming and sports science. Darragh is an experienced physiotherapist and holds a master’s degree in sports medicine.
The researchers are currently developing a prototype system, and in the longer term hope to attract financial investment and partner with an established sports brand.
Martin O’Reilly and Darragh Whelan, RunTech
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Business & Finance, in association with Comtrade, recognises Ireland’s most dynamic emerging businesses in ‘Ones to Watch’. Ireland is alive with a vibrant start-up scene and the entrepreneurs featured are shaping the country’s economic landscape.
