Strava, the popular fitness app based in California, has acquired the British running app Runna for an undisclosed amount.
Founded in 2021, Runna is a personalized running app that tailors workout plans to users based on their goals and fitness levels. The London-based app has grown in popularity within the UK and has partnered with various running events across the country.
Strava, which has over 120 million users globally, was valued at $1.5 billion in a 2020 funding round led by Sequoia Capital. However, Strava has faced criticism for not offering in-app training plans, an issue that the acquisition of Runna is expected to address.
“For a long time, Strava offered static, document-based plans for runners, but those were rarely used,” said Strava CEO Michael Martin in an interview with The Verge.
Runna, which employs about 150 people, has raised £8 million from investors like Eka Ventures, JamJar, Venrex, and Creator Ventures. Although the company does not reveal its user numbers, CEO Dom Maskell noted in 2023 that it had approximately 3,000 paid subscribers and has been profitable since then.
“Our goal with this acquisition is to continue growing the Runna app, invest in its team, and operate it independently while integrating it with Strava,” Martin explained.
Despite the challenges posed by the uncertain global economy, Martin emphasized that the acquisition is focused on growth. “It’s a tough time to think about investing in growth, but it’s the right move,” he said. “This is about growth and investment, not efficiency.”
