What Running Mate does

Running Mate operates a mobile platform that connects runners with background-verified running partners for on-demand, in-person companionship during outdoor runs. Founded in 2021 by Dena Lewis following two assaults she experienced while running alone, the company targets female runners, citing that 92% of women report safety concerns while running and 60% have experienced harassment. The app is live in 14 US cities (Boston, Austin, Tampa, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Salt Lake City, St. Petersburg, Denver, Charleston, Washington DC, New York City, Phoenix, Raleigh, Durham), with Nashville, Charlotte, and New Orleans listed as upcoming markets.

The core product is a native iOS and Android application that combines Checkr-powered background verification (court records, employment databases, driving records; 1-3 day turnaround), real-time GPS route sharing, on-demand mate matching, in-app identity verification before each session, and a community rating and reporting system. Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) per-run consumer transactions priced at $15 for a single run, $79.99 for a 6-pack, and $149.99 for a 12-pack, with running mates earning $10 per session, (2) Corporate Wellness Program contracts with a $3,000 base fee plus per-employee pricing of $275-$325 annually (minimum program investment $11,125) for 5K to Marathon race training, and (3) branded merchandise sales (hoodies, hats, mugs, stickers). Supplementary offerings include Run Club Safety Certification, university and hotel partnership programs, and event wellness activations delivered via an Olympian Meeting partnership.

The company runs a hybrid go-to-market spanning direct-to-consumer app downloads, B2B enterprise sales for corporate wellness targeting HR executives, and partnership channels with run clubs, universities, hotels, and event organizers. Notable partnerships include Strava (verified community status, 2025), Checkr (background verification infrastructure), Techstars (2024 accelerator), Brooksee Marathon (safety panels), and Olympian Meeting (conference wellness). The company has been recognized with multiple awards including Women in Tech Startup of the Year Silver (2026), Caesars Entertainment Olympian Wellness Award (2025), and Valor Ventures Startup Runway winner (2024). In 2025, Running Mate launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Honeycomb Credit seeking $50,000 at a $4M valuation, with proceeds earmarked for UX/UI updates, onboarding and communications hiring, and marketing. The company is privately held, operates as Running Mate Corp (Florida-incorporated), and remains founder-led with 1-10 employees.

Name

Running Mate

Legal name

Running Mate Corp

Website

https://getrunningmate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Running Mate is a mobile platform connecting female runners with background-verified running partners for safe, on-demand companionship. It operates in 14 US cities, offering Checkr-powered verification, GPS tracking, and corporate wellness race training programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Runner Safety and Companion Platform

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Endurance & Running/Cycling Training (HSADAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Personal Training (In-Person & Virtual) (HSADAAAA)

Keywords

• Running companion app
• Runner safety platform
• Verified running partners
• Corporate wellness running
• Running marketplace app

Headquarters

HQ city

Rosemary Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Run Session Transactions: Transaction fee model where runners pay per session ($15 single run, $79.99 for 6-pack, $149.99 for 12-pack) and running mates earn $10 per run. Platform retains the difference.
2. Corporate Wellness Programs: B2B revenue from corporate wellness packages. Base fee of $3,000 plus per-employee pricing ($275-$325 per employee) with premium white-glove options. Minimum investment of $11,125.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including hoodies ($47-$51), sweatshirts ($59.50), hats ($16.50-$22.50), beanies ($25), socks ($30), travel mugs ($24.50+), and stickers ($3+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Running Mate operates a mobile marketplace platform (iOS and Android) that connects runners on-demand with background-verified running partners for safer running experiences. The platform is augmented by a Corporate Wellness Program offering race training for companies, and a branded merchandise e-commerce storefront. The service is built around Checkr-powered background checks, real-time GPS tracking, and identity verification workflows purpose-built for running safety.

Product overview

Running Mate is a unified platform built around its core mobile application, which connects female runners with verified, background-checked running partners for safety. The platform operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture, with the main app as the centerpiece, supplemented by a Corporate Wellness Program for enterprise race training, a Partner Network of run clubs and universities, and an e-commerce Shop selling branded merchandise. A partnership with Olympian Meeting extends the brand into corporate events and wellness conferences. The company earns revenue through per-run fees ($15 for runners, $10 paid to mates) and corporate wellness program contracts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Running Mate Mobile App Mobile application (iOS and Android) that connects individual runners with background-checked running partners on-demand. Provides real-time GPS route tracking, identity verification before each run, on-demand matching with verified mates in the runner's area, and a community rating and reporting system. Priced at $15 per single run session, with 6-pack at $79.99 and 12-pack at $149.99 bundles.
• Corporate Wellness Program Turnkey B2B corporate wellness program that trains employees for 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Marathon events with expert coaching, accountability check-ins, nutrition guidance, and a virtual training hub. Includes a $3,000 annual base fee plus per-employee pricing ($275-$325 per employee by tier, custom for 500+ employees), with a minimum program investment of $11,125. Designed to drive employee engagement and measurable wellness outcomes for HR and benefits teams.
• Running Mate Shop (Branded Merchandise) E-commerce storefront selling branded Running Mate merchandise including embroidered sweatshirts ($59.50+), hoodies ($47-$51), pom-pom beanies ($25), dad hats ($16.50), pastel baseball hats ($22.50), embroidered socks ($30), travel mugs with handle ($24.50+), and bubble-free stickers ($3+). Used to support brand visibility, community building, and incremental revenue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Background checks completed within 1-3 days via Checkr integration
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• StravacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Running Mate became an officially verified community on Strava, one of the world's leading fitness platforms. This partnership enables verified club experiences for runners and walkers nationwide, joint community-driven events, group runs, and safety-focused initiatives. Strengthens visibility for runner safety conversation.
• Olympian MeetingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the world's only 'Wellness First' meetings and events agency. Combined presence offers guided mindfulness, nutrition insights, expert-led programming, and safety-layer engagement at conferences. Running Mate provides verified running mates for group and 1:1 runs during events.
• CheckrcoreTechnology or IntegrationBackground verification provider. Checkr performs comprehensive background checks including court records, employment databases, and driving record repositories. Platform integrates directly with Running Mate's mate verification process.
• Brooksee MarathonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing partnership for safety panels at Brooksee marathons including Portland, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Mesa events. Safety education and awareness initiatives at major running events.
• Various Run ClubssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with run clubs across operating cities. Clubs can complete Runners Safety Certification Course to become verified safe run clubs. Provides added safety, connection, and visibility for club members.
• HotelssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHotels enhance guest experience by offering safe, verified local running partners. Targets solo travelers who value fitness and peace of mind while exploring new cities.
• UniversitiessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partnerships providing access to verified running partners, self-defense tools, and situational awareness training. Builds safer student community.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Bumble: While primarily a dating app, Bumble BFF extends the women-first safety-focused social platform model. Comparable in its women-centered trust architecture and verification norms that parallel Running Mate's safety positioning for female users.
• MapMyRun (Under Armour): MapMyRun is a long-running GPS tracking and training app for runners owned by Under Armour. Comparable in route tracking, training logging, and community features that overlap with parts of Running Mate's value proposition.
• Meetup: Meetup connects people around shared interests, including local running groups. Represents a free, established alternative to Running Mate's paid companionship model for runners seeking social connection and group accountability.
• Uber: Uber is the direct conceptual inspiration for Running Mate's 'Uber for Runners' positioning. Comparable in on-demand matching, driver/partner verification, GPS tracking, and per-transaction pricing architecture adapted to running rather than driving.
• Strava: The dominant social fitness platform for runners and cyclists. While Running Mate is an officially verified Strava community, Strava itself provides route tracking, segment competition, and social running features that partially overlap with the social/motivational aspects of running companionship.
• Nike Run Club: Nike's flagship running app offering guided runs, coaching, audio-guided sessions, and community features. Represents a broad incumbent in the digital running companion space with a much larger brand and free price point that competes for user mindshare.

Emerging players

• Noonlight: Noonlight is a personal safety app providing on-demand response and location sharing. Comparable to Running Mate's real-time GPS tracking and identity verification features, focused on the same women's safety demographic during solo activity.
• bSafe: bSafe is a personal safety application offering live location sharing, SOS alerts, and fake call features. Overlaps with Running Mate's real-time tracking and identity verification components for solo runners, particularly women.

Direct peers

• ClassPass: ClassPass operates a marketplace connecting consumers with fitness studios and instructors on a credit/subscription basis. Highly comparable to Running Mate's verified-mate marketplace model applied to running companionship, including similar unit-pricing and bundled session tiers.
• AllTrails: AllTrails is a mobile app connecting outdoor enthusiasts with trails, route guidance, and community features. Comparable to Running Mate in mobile-first outdoor fitness discovery, with overlapping use cases around safe exploration of new running areas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/getrunningmate
• Instagraminstagram.com/runningmateapp
• Facebookfacebook.com/getrunningmate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Running Mate