SAN FRANCISCO (BRAIN) — Strava has acquired Fatmap, a company whose 3D-map mobile app is targeted at outdoor enthusiasts including climbers and mountaineers. Strava said it will use the Fatmap technology to add 3D mapping to its cycling/running app. Premium members of Strava will gain access to Fatmap.
"In 2022, nearly 10 million routes were saved and recommended by active individuals around the world on Strava. Maps and tools are powerful unlocks to deliver daily value and motivate our active community," said Michael Horvath, CEO and co-founder of Strava. "We have a shared vision with Fatmap to inspire more people to move by empowering them to discover and experience the joy of the outdoors. For us, the opportunity to reimagine the purpose of maps and how they inspire exploration is an outsized advantage for a differentiated outdoor experience."
Fatmap was founded in 2013 by Misha Gopaul and David Cowell and has nearly 50 employees that will join Strava's workforce in Europe, with offices in Chamonix, France; Berlin; and Vilnius, Lithuania. Gopaul will shift from his current role as Fatmap CEO to serve as a Strava vice president of product, reporting to Steve Lloyd, Strava's chief product and technology officer.
Gopaul said: "We started Fatmap with a mission to make outdoor experiences more accessible. Where other map platforms have been designed for navigating streets and cities, we wanted to build a map designed specifically to help people explore. Joining forces with Strava opens up new exciting possibilities and will accelerate our progress to enable millions more people to explore the world's wild places, safely and sustainably."
Last summer, Strava acquired Recover Athletics, a prehab and injury prevention app. In December Strava cut its workforce by about 15% and this month it implemented a price increase for its premium membership. It later had to apologize for a confusing rollout of the new pricing structure.
