• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

Strava Gobbles Up A.I. Coaching App Runna

Strava is buying smaller U.K. peer Runna as part of a continued push to outpace competing fitness apps.

marathon
The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Strava is buying U.K. tech company Runna, the latest in a string of acquisitions aimed at distinguishing itself from competitors like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit.

The San Francisco exercise-tracking app boasts more than 150 million users across 185 countries, according to its website. Runna claimed in 2023 to have “hundreds of thousands” of users.

Runna had grown dramatically in popularity in recent years by offering personalized coaching plans that it says are “powered” by artificial intelligence.

The deal “unites the world’s largest fitness community with a leading app in the fiercely competitive running training space,” the companies said in a Thursday statement. 

The deal is meant to give Strava users feedback and insights on their activities in real time.

While Strava intends to integrate Runna’s technology, both brand names will continue to be available as independent apps, the companies said. Both Strava and Runna offer free versions of their app as well as paid subscriptions that provide additional features.

The deal follows a few other relatively recent acquisitions for Strava. In 2023, it bought 3D mapping platform Fatmap, and before that it purchased injury prevention app Recover Athletics.

The fitness app industry is in a transformative phase thanks to the rise of technology like AI. Last year, Canadian market research firm Emergen said the overall fitness app market, which in 2022 was valued at $8.21 billion, is expected to reach nearly $40 billion by 2032. Emergen counts MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, Nike Run Club, RunKeeper and more among Strava’s competitors.

Financial details of the Runna acquisition were not disclosed. A representative for Strava declined to comment on the value of the deal, and representatives for Runna did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A report in U.K. publication The Times said “it is thought” that early investors in Runna will “net a 30-fold return on their investment.” As of late 2023, Runna had raised a total of 8 million pounds since its 2021 founding.

The deal was not met with universal praise from Runna users. A Reddit thread about the deal started Thursday by Dom Maskell, co-founder and CEO of Runna, quickly racked up more than 200 comments, some of which were congratulatory while others were suspect. Users expressed worries about the app eventually becoming more expensive and clunky. Their fears are not unfounded. Last year, Fatmap was fully integrated into Strava and ceased being its own app.

Strava’s paid service starts at $11.99 per month or $79.99 for a whole year; Runna’s paid service begins at $19.99 per month or $119.99 for a whole year. In 2023, Strava apologized for a rollout of a price hike that was widely seen as confusing. The company also said last year that it had taken steps to improve its privacy controls after a report that politicians’ locations could be easily tracked through the app. 

.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detailed view of the basketball sneakers worn by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.

Skechers Sued Over Allegedly Sketchy Go-Private Deal

The footwear giant agreed to be acquired by 3G Capital for $9.4 billion.

Steve Cohen Taps USTA’s Lew Sherr to Reshape Mets Off Field

The MLB club hires a top executive from the U.S. Tennis Association.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Rangers Football Club

49ers Venture Arm Buys 2nd Soccer Team With Rangers FC Deal

49ers Enterprises also owns Premier League club Leeds United.
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores on a pass in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.
May 30, 2025

Why the NFL Isn’t a Sure Bet for Private-Equity Firms

Three teams have gotten PE investments since owners approved the rule change.
Jayden Cofield awaits the start of a dirll during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
May 30, 2025

Colleges Don’t Want to Be ‘Trailblazers’ in Private Equity

The commissioner says the conference isn’t ready to deal with PE.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Jun 7, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Eva Longoria throws the first pitch prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field.
May 29, 2025

Can ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Spin-Off on Mexican Team Necaxa Be As Big..

Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Eva Longoria are executive-producing the series.
May 27, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Kody Clemens (18) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
May 28, 2025

Twins Sale Process Making Progress: ‘There Is Momentum’

The asking price is $1.7 billion.
May 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; The New York Liberty are introduced prior to the game against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center.
May 27, 2025

Alibaba Billionaire, Supermodel Headline New Liberty Investors

The investment must still be approved by the WNBA’s board of governors.
May 23, 2025

What Pro Team Would Ted Leonsis Like to Buy Next?

The Monumental Sports & Entertainment CEO would like to grow his empire further.