Naomi McGregor, a former ballet dancer, has launched Movetru, a startup aimed at transforming how athletes understand their movement and mitigate injury risks. The initiative is rooted in McGregor’s personal experience with a knee injury sustained at the age of 14, an incident that sidelined her from dance for three years. This journey highlighted the lack of accessible, objective information available to athletes regarding their movement and injury prevention.
From Ballet to Business
Following her injury, McGregor pursued a Master’s in product design engineering at Queen’s University Belfast. It was during this time that she conceived the idea of technology that could provide real-time insights to athletes, thereby reducing injury risks. “Could we create technology that helps reduce the risk of injury through real-time insight?” she questioned, leading her to establish Movetru after graduation.
McGregor’s background uniquely positions her to empathize with athletes while possessing the technical skills needed to develop effective solutions. “My training taught me how to problem-solve, identify root causes, and create tools that genuinely solve problems for people,” she explained. This combination of personal experience and engineering expertise is central to Movetru’s mission.
Targeting the Sports Industry
Movetru primarily targets the sports industry, focusing on enhancing movement quality and minimizing injury risks, particularly for on-field athletes. McGregor emphasizes that the technology is adaptable and has potential applications across various sports. “We see opportunity across many sports because Movetru can be used anywhere, anytime,” she noted.
Since its inception, Movetru has been designed with international growth in mind. Early investment from US backers reinforced the belief in the product’s global potential. The aim is to reach a broad range of athletes and organizations, ultimately improving performance while reducing injury risks.
Despite the challenges that come with building a startup during a global pandemic, McGregor views these obstacles as catalysts for innovation. “Surrounding the business with the right people has been key,” she stated, mentioning the importance of forming a strong team in Belfast and enlisting experienced advisors.
Movetru recently celebrated its product launch on December 4, 2023, an event that brought together athletes, investors, and advisors. Looking ahead, McGregor is enthusiastic about the future, with plans for international rollout and scaling operations. “Our vision is for Movetru to become a global standard in how athletes understand their movement, improve performance, and reduce the risk of injury,” she said.
With a commitment to enhancing athlete safety and performance, Movetru is poised to make a significant impact in the sports industry and beyond.
