Unicorn Bakery - For the World's Most Ambitious Founders & Teams How Strava built a Global Fitness Community with 100M+ users | Expanding a consumer app to 196 Countries | Why Strava never intended to be a Venture Case | Hiring Young Potentials instead of Senior Staff (with Strava Co-Founder Mark Gainey)
Mar 7, 2025
Mark Gainey, co-founder of Strava, shares insights on building the global fitness app that boasts over 100 million users. He discusses the importance of timing and technology in Strava's journey, emphasizing a focus on engagement over mere growth. Mark reflects on the challenges of expanding internationally while remaining authentic to different sports communities. He also offers valuable advice for founders on navigating investor expectations, hiring young talent, and the necessity of maintaining a work-life balance to avoid burnout.
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Origin Story Began In 1995
- In 1995 Mark Gainey and Michael first built a virtual locker room called Kana Sports and later pivoted to enterprise software (Kana Communications).
- The Strava idea stayed in their heads and resurfaced after years of other ventures, leading to the eventual launch years later.
Timing: Devices And Social Media Aligned
- Two tech shifts made Strava possible: accurate activity capture (GPS devices) and social media's willingness to share.
- Those changes aligned timing, technology, and behavior to enable a community fitness product.
Make The Product Joyful First
- Keeping Strava fun and entertaining was the single guiding principle over 15+ years.
- Joy reduces friction and helps people stay active, which underpins retention and growth.