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SFU Helps Alums Develop New Business

Matt Ferguson (geography ’97) and Rick Hall (kinesiology ’00), co-founders of Progressive Health Innovations, have returned to the university for help in building their business. First, three SFU Business students completed a market-research study for them as part of a National Research Council Canada—Industrial Research Assistance Program initiative managed by SFU’s University Industry Liaison Office (UILO).

The data generated was used to formulate a marketing strategy for their first product—a foot- and ankle-strengthening device called the AFX or Ankle Foot maXimizer. More recently, they worked with coach Scott Clark and the SFU men’s basketball team to test the device’s performance capabilities. The trials yielded impressive results, including increased agility, improved ankle stability, improvement in vertical lift and dramatic gains in dynamic balance.