Photo by Ralph Olazo on Unsplash
Forget swiping right—Gen Z is sprinting toward a new kind of connection, and Strava wants to turn that momentum into an IPO.
If you haven’t heard of Strava before, it’s a 16-year-old fitness tracking app that’s become something much bigger: a global community of runners, cyclists, and everyday movers sharing their workouts online like they’re social updates. Think of it as Instagram, but for your splits, routes, and kilometers—complete with “kudos” from fellow athletes.
And now? The San Francisco-based company is officially preparing to go public.
Why Strava’s Got Its Sights on the Stock Market
Strava CEO Michael Martin recently told the Financial Times that they’re planning a public listing “at some point.” Translation: they’re putting their running shoes on and heading for Wall Street. The goal? Raise capital for more acquisitions and keep riding the incredible wave of growth they’ve seen lately.
Photo by Jonathan Gong on Unsplash
Some quick numbers to give you an idea:
- Strava now has 50 million monthly active users as of 2025, according to Sensor Tower. That’s almost double its closest app competitor.
- Downloads are up 80% year-over-year.
- It was last valued at $2.2 billion back in May.
That’s not just strong—it’s full-on marathon mode.
What’s Fueling the Boom?
This isn’t just about workouts. Something deeper’s happening here.
More people in their teens and 20s are ditching bars for weekend runs. It’s about looking for healthier, more intentional ways to connect. And running clubs—with their post-run coffees and shared playlists—are as much about community as they are about cardio.
That trend is showing up everywhere. Take the 2026 London Marathon, for example: 1.1 million people applied, up 31% from the year before. That’s not a stat. That’s a social shift.
And apps like Strava are right in the middle of it.
Photo by Capstone Events on Unsplash
Running Is Social Now—Strava Just Knew It First
Strava isn’t winning just because it tracks your pace. It’s because it made running feel social, even fun.
Here’s what Strava does that works:
- You earn “kudos” from friends.
- You compare your performance on the same routes.
- You join sponsored challenges that keep people motivated.
- And yes, romance sometimes sparks along the way—just not swiped.
It’s all boosted by Strava’s subscription model. Sensor Tower estimates that users spent over $180 million on subscriptions by September of this year alone—and Strava says that actually underestimates their real revenue. Then there are brand partnerships and sponsored events that add extra muscle to their business model.
What’s Next?
If you’re a runner, this moment might feel personal. Maybe you’ve shared a sweaty sunrise run, joined a virtual challenge, or just hit a 5k PR and earned a few cheers online. That spirit—social but grounded, digital but real—is exactly what Strava’s betting on as it heads toward its IPO.
Strava has already won over the feet of Gen Z.
Now, it’s hoping to win over investors too.
Keywords: Gen Z, Strava, Tinder, IPO, fitness tracking app, social app, running community
