Running Heroes, a French online platform intended to stimulate running participation, has raised €2 million from two French investment companies and business angels. The two lead investors are A Plus Finance and BPI France. Launched in May 2014, Running Heroes encourages runners with goodies and rebates offered by partner brands, including sportswear brands such as Nike as well as other partners like Uber and Spotify. The rewards are based on the distance covered, as registered by a variety of running and fitness trackers that sync with the platform, such as Nike+, RunKeeper, Garmin, Endomondo, Strava, Polar, Suunto, Fitbit, Withings and Apple. The idea is to use data from the trackers for gamification and storytelling, instead of just tracking performance. While the concept started with running it has expanded into cycling and skiing, which has encouraged the company to rebrand as Sport Heroes. The new money should help to develop the group's digital agency and products targeted at corporate customers – helping them to create sports challenges for their employees. The French startup opened offices in London and Sydney in 2015 and is targeting sales of €3 million this year. Established by Boris Pourreau and Jean-Charles Touzalin, the platform already boasts more than 300,000 members and 200 brand partners.

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