Happy New Year, from Fyous News!
After a whirlwind 2022, the beginning of this year feels uncertain for many. While that is as true as ever for our team, a New Year brings opportunity for all to embrace the uncertain, put our best - *pun incoming* - feet forward and relish in the lessons and achievements of all sizes that come with the thrilling, terrifying, challenging and rewarding process of making our start-up mission possible. We thank you for embarking on this journey into the unknown with us!
Without further a-do, here's how we're kicking off 2023…
Results: Innovate UK Grant Research
Our Innovate UK Research has almost concluded. We have discovered key facts such as 80% of lower limb amputations were preceded by foot ulcers. With correct care (like custom made footwear delivered in 2 weeks rather than 3 months) these ulcers could be cured, meaning that 7000 less amputations could take place each year. That would prevent those 7000 people becoming disabled and drastically increase their life expectancy given the 70% mortality rate within 5 years of a diabetics first amputation.
Interestingly, the report showed that while the UK recommended wait time for bespoke orthopaedic footwear in the NHS is 25 days (before ailments can become severe), it can take a shocking 6 weeks on average for the patients to receive their footwear! Luckily, Fyous patients will only be waiting for up to 2 weeks to begin preventative care in our footwear. To put that into perspective, which is almost half the NHS recommended wait time and 1/3 of the national average wait time!
This just scratches the surface of what we have uncovered but sadly there is a real problem here that needs to be solved and Fyous is ready to solve it. Fyous will be literally saving lives. Watch this space as we are already in talks with a few trusts about running trials to prove what we can do.
Fyous: Pride of Yorkshire!
We are immensely proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for 2 categories in this year’s Made in Yorkshire Awards!
The prestigious March event, taking place at New Dock Hall, Royal Armouries in Leeds celebrates world-class companies based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Faced with high inflation and potential recession, manufacturers in the region continue to show remarkable resilience through innovation, skilled talent and diversification. Needless to say - we are unbelievably proud to be nominated for the Medical, Life Sciences & Healthcare Award and the Digital Engineering / Technology Award.
Above: Akela Prototype Progression
Progress: Collection 2023
Sport 3.0 and Akela
As ever, our team have been working fervently into the new year, developing our Sport 3.0 and Akela. The iterative process for both has enabled us to home in on the perfect material choices as well as designing in novel features that aid accessibility in getting the trainers off and on. The styling and colourways are also being refined so that we produce something suitable for everyone. The biggest thing that we are excited for is the step up in quality. We have further developed our Polymorphic Moulding to make our midsole much high quality as well as integrating features in for added stability and support on the Akela trainer.
These two projects have faced a few delays, but we hope to be ready to manufacture our first customer orders late February/ early March.
(L-R): Sport 3.0, Akela Uppers
Scanned, Sealed and Delivered
Upgrading the footwear that delivers the Ultimate Fit also means upgrading the technology that makes it possible! In preparation of our new product launches, we are consistently developing the technology going into our scanning aids and trialling them with our subscribers, with excellent results.
Polymorphic Progression
A big focus over December was upgrading our polymorphic moulding process. By doing this we have enhanced our midsole definition as well as improved the geometries we are able to achieve. For our more medical footwear this allows us to achieve more freedom around Rocker shapes insole designs but for the transitioning to minimalist people then the sport can have much more striking styling features.
As we always say, good foot health does not have to come at the cost of style.