According to the Financial Times, Strava, a fitness tracking platform that has been around for 16 years, is preparing for an initial public offering.
CEO Michael Martin shared with the FT that the San Francisco-based firm intends to go public “at some point,” aiming to raise funds for further acquisitions. Supported by investors such as Sequoia Capital, TCV, and Jackson Square Ventures, Strava reached a valuation of $2.2 billion as of May.
Strava is experiencing significant momentum. Sensor Tower reports that by 2025, the app will have reached 50 million monthly active users—almost twice as many as its nearest rival—and its downloads have surged by 80% compared to the previous year.
This surge in Strava’s popularity aligns with changing attitudes toward running, especially among teenagers and people in their twenties who are looking for sober social activities. Many runners highlight the mental health advantages of joining supportive communities (and occasionally finding romance). Applications for the 2026 London Marathon soared by 31% this year, hitting 1.1 million applicants.
What sets Strava apart? The platform transforms exercise into a social experience through features like “kudos” and split time comparisons. Sensor Tower estimates that users spent more than $180 million on Strava’s subscription service through September, though the company claims this figure is well below its actual revenue. Additional income comes from sponsored challenges and collaborations with brands.
