WiT Startup Pitch 2021 finalist Rungo, described as the “#1 running app for discovering the best routes in the world”, is hoping to tap into the pandemic-induced craze of running, walking and general wellness and fitness trends to fuel the next lap in its startup journey.
Said Noah Bloom, co-founder, “During the pandemic, running has exploded globally, and walking has become the thing to do as well. Everyone just became more conscious of their health. People have changed behaviours in this period and they want to discover places in new ways.”
So, beyond its consumer app, Rungo now wants to scale its business into other activities (such as biking, walking or trekking) as well as other verticals where it becomes the B2B solution to companies interested in this active segment of customers.
Bloom, who was previously vice president growth at Picatic (NYSE: EB) and on the founding team Blueslice (NYSE: ORCL), said, “The app had pretty good traction – we have a total of 700,000 routes in 71 countries built by our community – and we saw the growth opportunity in hospitality and travel.
“My task is to take a product that is successful in the consumer space and apply it to other markets and sectors.”
Hotels are its first target – it now has 70 hotels on its platform, including brands such as Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Autograph and M Gallery. Hotels pay a monthly Saas fee. “We give them the tools and education and then they are off to the races,” said Bloom.
In October, Hilton launched bespoke routes with Rungo for seven hotels in Netherlands in time for Dutch marathons.
It also works with sporting fashion brands such as Lululemon where it powers its running events in Vancouver.
And while you may wonder why Google Maps is not good enough, Bloom said, “There are significant areas where Google Maps are not a solution, there are a lot more nuanced information and local recommendations that runners, trekkers and bicylists need, and our maps give those nuances, personal recommendations and navigation.
“We are trying to reimagine navigation – people get anxious about getting lost, as you can imagine.”
The company is developing new tools using voice, AR (Augmented Reality) and smart watches.
Its consumer app operates on the freemium model and the company made a deliberate decision not to accept advertising on the app so as not to compromise the user experience.
As it builds out its B2B partnerships, it is also experimenting with ways to surface runner-friendly hotels to its audience.
Bloom is of course a runner himself. “I love to run to keep up my wellness habit and walking and running are the best ways to explore places. Actually, walking is the most under-rated activity.”
As for which is his favourite route, he cited Fairmont Orchid Hawaii, “where the director of Hawaiian culture narrates hiking tours. He’s a beautiful storyteller.”