How I Built This with Guy Raz cover image

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Strava: Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath

May 2, 2022
Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath, the dynamic co-founders of Strava, embark on their entrepreneurial journey from college friends to fitness innovators. They share fascinating tales of launching their original idea in the '90s, only to pivot to a successful IPO before finally launching Strava in 2008. With humor, they discuss the rocky start of their clunky prototype and the key role of community in their success. Their commitment to user privacy, leadership styles, and the evolution of the app showcase how hard work and serendipity paved the way for their global fitness platform.
01:19:52

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Quick takeaways

  • Strava began as an idea in 1995, was temporarily abandoned, and successfully relaunched in 2008 for cyclists.
  • Strava focused on engaging cyclists first before expanding to other sports, emphasizing tailored user experiences.

Deep dives

The Genesis of Strava: From Idea to Execution

Strava's founders, Michael and Mark, revisited an idea from 1995 to create a platform for athletes to share achievements. In 2008, a breakthrough involved engaging cyclists in a friendly competition. This validated the idea of a platform connecting athletes virtually and emphasized the value of real-time data sharing among cyclists.

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