ART Health Solutions on growth trail after £1 million support

A technology firm whose founders helped put sporting stars on the path to glory is creating jobs after landing £1 million support.

ART Health Solutions wants ten staff following North East Venture Fund backing for its One Wellbeing software.

The mobile app helps increase efficiency and optimise employees’ health by anonymously monitoring their wellbeing via smartphone and fitness tracker data alongside cognitive performance tests.

Aggregating performance, alongside further factors such as labour locations and schedules, it allows businesses to address specific needs while providing insights to improve the workplace experience.

The £1 million funding comes after the Newcastle firm, founded by sports scientists Dr Phill Bell and Dr Paul Smith – who have worked with big sporting names including Tour de France winner Chris Froome and golfing Major champion Rory McIlroy – secured £800,000 last year for product development and trials.

Dr Bell, chief executive [pictured, above], said: “The extra capital will support the business in scaling our products throughout the UK and beyond.”

The North East Venture Fund is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Mercia, and Dr Bell praised the latter’s enduring commitment to ART Health Solutions.

He added: “We’re absolutely delighted Mercia and the North East Venture Fund have backed up their initial funding round with this further injection of capital.

“It demonstrates their commitment to us as a business and their confidence in our ability to deliver shareholder and client value.”

Alex Simpson, Mercia investment manager, said: “One Wellbeing sets itself apart from similar apps by including results from cognitive tests and focusing on the fundamentals of health and performance, such as brain health and movement.

“The ART Health team have been using these principles for years in their work with corporate clients and the launch of the app will enable smaller companies and their employees to achieve similar benefits.”

As well as Froome and McIlroy, Dr Bell and Dr Smith count Formula One world champion Jenson Button and the England rugby team among former clients, with ART Health Solutions having also carried out consultancy work with GSK and Cricket Scotland.

Luke Philpott, from Mincoffs, provided legal advice on the finance deal, with Kerry Waugh, from Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance, providing business valuation support to ART Health Solutions.

Oliver Rickett, from Womble Bond Dickinson, represented Mercia.