Runna Raises $6.3M for Running Coach App
Created by two friends who share a love of running, Runna will use the new capital for AI-powered coaching algorithms
Runna, a personalized running coach app that debuted in 2021, has closed another venture capital round, raising £5 million ($6.3 million), bringing Runna’s total raised funds to over £8 million ($10 million).
JamJar led the latest funding, which included participation from Eka Ventures, Venrex and Creator Ventures.
Since its launch, Runna says its running app has grown to coach hundreds of thousands of runners in over 180 countries, and the latest funding will be used to develop “sophisticated coaching algorithms” with the help of AI.
Formerly known as RunBuddy, the app was founded by Dom Maskell and Ben Parker, two best friends who love running. The app coaches users based on their ability and goals and offers strength and conditioning plans from top running coaches.
Runna provides a free component with “couch to 5 K” training plans to more advanced and customized programs for serious runners — those aiming to complete a marathon or even a multi-day ultramarathon. The app also offers smart treadmill control and integrates with live Apple Watch coaching and Garmin, Fitbit and Coros.
Off & Running
The recent funding follows an initial £485,000 ($614,000) via crowdfunding in late 2021, with Runna having secured support from athlete and world record holder Joshua Patterson, British Olympic Marathon runner Steph Davis and 303 of its first customers.
After its financial kickstart, Runna then went on to raise an additional £2.25 million ($2.8 million), which was led by Eka Ventures, angel investors and Olympic Triathletes Alex Yee and Beth Potter (now part of Runna’s coaching team) and Greg O’Shea, an Irish rugby union player.
Previous funding rounds have enabled Runna to hire talent, invest in its app and partner with race organizers, such as AJ Bell Great North Run and the Los Angeles Marathon presented by Asics.
“What makes us that much more excited is the fact that we’re only just getting started,” said Parker, the app’s head coach and co-founder. “Runna today is only 20% of the experience that we’ll be delivering to our Runnas with all the product features we have in mind, making this fundraise so pivotal so we can bring these revolutionary ideas to market that much faster.”
Co-founder and CEO Maskell shared that Runna is pleased to have raised what he says is a “phenomenal amount of money” with the running app’s latest investment round. He added he’s eager to make Runna an even better experience for users, affiliates and partners and positively impact people’s physical and mental well-being.
“All we’ve ever wanted to do is spread the benefits of running to as many people as possible while making running as accessible as possible to all, regardless of background, body type or fitness level,” he said. “To have JamJar lead the investment round was something we could only dream of, and it’s great that we have the backing of such well-known venture capital firms, as well as such well-known athletes.”
