Strava, the sixteen-year-old fitness tracking application, is preparing to become a publicly traded company. According to the Financial Times, Chief Executive Officer Michael Martin stated the San Francisco-based company plans to list on the stock market at some point. The goal is to raise capital for future acquisitions. The company is financially backed by Sequoia Capital, TCV, and Jackson Square Ventures. It was last valued at 2.2 billion dollars in May.
The company is currently experiencing strong momentum. Data from Sensor Tower indicates the application’s user base has grown dramatically, reaching 50 million monthly active users in 2025. This figure is nearly double that of its closest competitor. The company has also seen its downloads increase by 80 percent year-over-year.
This expansion aligns with a broader cultural shift around running. Many people in their teens and twenties are now seeking more alcohol-free ways to socialize. Runners frequently highlight the mental health benefits of finding supportive communities, and sometimes even romance. The growing interest is evident in applications for the 2026 London Marathon, which jumped 31 percent this year to 1.1 million people.
A key to Strava’s success is its ability to turn workouts into social currency through features like “kudos” and segment comparisons. Sensor Tower estimates that consumers spent over 180 million dollars on its subscription tier through the month of September. However, Strava states this figure significantly underestimates the company’s actual revenue. Beyond subscriptions, the company also earns income from sponsored challenges and various brand partnerships.