This week I had the privilege of stepping up to deliver Fitcoin's pitch at the LUInc Pre-Accelerator 2026 final. I am proud to share that we were named the pitch winner. Three minutes to make our case, a panel to convince, and a result I am still smiling about.
For a Loughborough graduate, winning the pitch at our own university's pre-accelerator is a genuine full-circle moment. Harris and I started Fitcoin with a clear conviction, and to have that conviction recognised on home ground means a great deal to both of us.
What the LUInc Pre-Accelerator Is
LUInc is Loughborough University's business incubator. It exists to help ambitious, innovative founders move from a working idea to an investable business, through structured mentorship, validation, and access to the University's research and enterprise network. The programme closes with a pitch where each company makes its case, and being chosen as the winner means Fitcoin was judged the standout of the cohort.
Delivering the Pitch
I delivered our pitch on behalf of the team. My background is in finance. I spent eight years at PwC in Deals Advisory before going all in on Fitcoin, so I am comfortable making a numbers-led case under scrutiny. But a great pitch is not only about the figures. It is about telling a clear, honest story: what problem we solve, why it matters, and how the model creates value for users and brand partners alike.
The work behind those three minutes was months in the making. We refined the FitScore model so it rewards effort fairly across every type of workout, built out the partner strategy behind our rewards marketplace, and sharpened exactly how we shift behaviour from "exercise feels like a chore" to "every effort is rewarded". Standing up to present that clearly, and having the panel back it, was the payoff.
Why This Matters for Fitcoin
Winning the LUInc Pre-Accelerator pitch is more than a trophy on a shelf. It is independent validation from a respected institution that the problem we are tackling, and the way we are tackling it, holds up to serious scrutiny. For our users, it is a signal that Fitcoin is built to last. For the brands we work with, it is proof we are a credible, vetted partner. And as we open conversations with pre-seed investors, it is concrete evidence of traction that sits alongside our growth.
We are live on iOS and Android, our community is growing, and our rewards marketplace expands every week. This result gives us real momentum as we move into the next stage.
What's Next?
You can view our official profile on the LUInc Startium network here.
To the LUInc team, the mentors, and everyone who supported us through the programme: thank you. Now it is back to building. See you on the leaderboard.
Vithuran Skandarajaah
Co-Founder & CEO, Fitcoin
About the author: Vithuran Skandarajaah is the Co-Founder & CEO of Fitcoin and a Loughborough University graduate. A Chartered Accountant (ICAEW, ACA), he spent eight years at PwC in Deals Advisory, specialising in Financial Crime and High Profile Investigations, before building Fitcoin to reward people for everyday movement.