Strava

Here’s a concise, factual summary of Strava suitable for evaluating its professional prestige (≈170 words): Strava is a leading digital fitness platform (mobile app and web) that combines GPS‑based tracking (cycling, running, multi‑sport) with a social network overlay, including segments, leaderboards, and community features ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strava?utm_source=openai)). Founded in 2009 by Michael Horvath and Mark Gainey in San Francisco, Strava remains headquartered there ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strava?utm_source=openai)). As of early 2025, Strava employs roughly 200–500 people, with about 175 at its HQ and a total headcount around 430 ([sfgate.com](https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/strava-hq-old-meta-office-20208984.php?utm_source=openai)). Its funding trajectory includes a Series A (~$3.5 million in 2011), an $18.5 million round in 2014, and a major $110 million Series F in November 2020 led by TCV and Sequoia (with Dragoneer, Jackson Square Ventures, Go4it, Madrone) ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strava-inc-announces-35-million-investment-by-sigma-partners-113344814.html?utm_source=openai)). In May 2025, it raised further capital at a valuation of about $2.2 billion from Sequoia, TCV, Jackson Square Ventures, and Go4it ([traded.co](https://traded.co/vc/deal/strava-raises-funding-at-2-2-billion-valuation-led-by-sequoia-capital/?utm_source=openai)). The company has not yet gone public but has begun IPO preparations with investment banks invited to pitch ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/fitness-tracking-app-strava-looks-hire-banks-ipo-2025-09-17/?utm_source=openai)). In 2025, Strava acquired Runna (running coaching app) and The Breakaway (cycling training app), signaling strategic expansion ([amileaminute.com](https://amileaminute.com/news/strava-valuation-tops-2-billion-acquires-cycling-app/?utm_source=openai)). Operating in the fitness‑tech and social network sector, Strava is widely recognized for its elite athlete and amateur user base (150M+ users in 185+ countries), strong brand equity in health-tech, and media visibility around features like global heatmaps and segment leaderboards ([press.strava.com](https://press.strava.com/about?utm_source=openai)). Employee backgrounds are not explicitly detailed, but the company’s HQ in SF and its mix of tech, fitness, and social‑media suggest talent drawn from those sectors and potential moves toward larger tech or fitness enterprises post‑Strava (common in such startups)—though definitive sourcing on transitions is limited. Let me know if you'd like deep dives into any of these facets.