A platform for people to connect, sweat, and inspire.
SweatPals的外部链接
4810 Russet Hill Dr
US，Texas，Austin，78723
SweatPals转发了
I’ve been lucky to seed companies like DoorDash & Dropbox, and I’m excited about SweatPals Founded by technologists Salar Shahini & Mandi Zhou, SweatPals is a full-tech platform making real connections through fitness. With 25K+ events & a huge "why now", SweatPals is offering community & economic opportunity. Event organizers are even earning more than their 9-5s! Massive potential ahead—I highly recommend checking it out! Pear VC Andreessen Horowitz https://www.sweatpals.com/
SweatPals转发了
SweatPals is a case study of what Pear VC loves to see in a consumer-focused business: ? Founders with clear founder-product fit. Salar Shahini and Mandi Zhou, both immigrants to the U.S., uniquely embody the mission behind SweatPals. By creating a platform that helps people forge real connections through fitness, they’re translating their own journey of finding community into an app that can genuinely resonate with millions around the world. Founder-product fit like this is central to building lasting consumer trust. ? A compounding moat. The more people use Sweatpals, the more useful its network becomes. The team has deployed impressive ingenuity and grit to build momentum around the country. In a short period they've helped organize 25,000+ events. ? A clear why now. Did you know that according to Forbes 79% of Gen Z reports dating app burnout? SweatPals is tapping into a movement that prioritizes IRL experiences over screens. ? A market expansion opportunity. It’s incredible to hear about event organizers earning more money leading events through Sweatpals than from their 9 - 5 jobs, a testament to the platform's potential to enable economic opportunity. Congrats to the Sweatpals team on their recent $3M fundraise. Pear is excited to support your mission of connecting people through their shared passions! If you're looking to connect IRL with your local community, and yes, get a little sweaty, I highly encourage you to check out SweatPals.
SweatPals转发了
SweatPals, a fitness events platform, raised $3M led by A16Z GAMES SPEEDRUN and Pear VC. Helping users discover local activities while streamlining logistics for organizers, the company has expanded to 16 cities, hosting 25K events and 150K attendees — from group walks, runs, and workouts to larger festivals.
SweatPals转发了
Today, Mandi and I are thrilled to announce that SweatPals has secured a $3M funding?round,?led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Pear VC. This investment accelerates our mission to bring the world together through fitness. This round holds special meaning for us for several reasons: When we launched SweatPals 18 months ago, we drew immense inspiration from The Cold Start Problem and the legendary marketplaces we admire. Today, partnering with Andrew Chen, the author and growth expert behind some of the most iconic companies, feels like a full-circle moment for us. We’re also honored to team up with Pejman Nozad of Pear VC. As fellow immigrants, Pejman’s incredible story of resilience and vision resonates deeply with us. His journey is a powerful reminder that with determination, anything is possible. A heartfelt thank you to Warren Shaeffer, whose unwavering belief in SweatPals from our very first meeting has already made him an invaluable partner. And a huge thanks to Robin Guo for being instrumental in making this round a reality and for his tremendous support to our team. Fitness is one of the rare spaces where people from all walks of life can come together. Our platform is designed to foster genuine and meaningful connections—centered around the unifying power of fitness. This journey wouldn’t be possible without the belief and support of our early backers. A special thank you to Jared Simon, Fardad Zabetian, Prerna Sharma, Parham A., and many others who have been with us from the beginning. Most importantly, to our incredible community: every creator, fitness entrepreneur, and member who has embraced the vision, shared it with a friend, or attended an event—you are the heartbeat of SweatPals. Your belief was so strong that you collectively invested $800K in the last round. We’re not just building this for you—we’re building it with you, and we’re grateful for every step of this journey together. If you know anyone looking to build a community or turn their passion for bringing people together into something bigger, now is the perfect time to get started on SweatPals. Please send any referrals my way! If?you're?excited to help shape the future and work with a team full of energy and passion,?we’d?love to hear from you! Check out our open positions or shoot me a DM to connect. Let’s?build the future of fitness together.???
If only there was an app for that ??
Run clubs and group workouts are the antidote to loneliness. ?? Red flags Chronic loneliness is a public health crisis. ??Lacking social connection is as harmful as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. ??Loneliness increases risk of cognitive decline, heart disease, and death. ??17% of US adults and 24% of people under 30 report significant loneliness. ??Screentime Tethered to our phones, we have more “friends” but fewer relationships. ??2013: The average American spent 6.5 hours/week with friends. ??2019: That number sank to 4 hours/week, down 37% from five years prior. ??2021: Time with friends fell to 2.75 hours/week, declining 58% from 2013. ?? Come together Social connections keep us healthy. An 80-plus-year Harvard study found that strong relationships are the most important factor in long-term health and happiness. Well aware of the benefits, community is a central tenet of fitness — so much so that it has been likened to religion. As fitness evolves beyond the physical, it’s time to embrace social fitness as part of holistic health. ?? Social fitness Nothing new, boutique studios, wellness clubs, and climbing gyms are a source of community. Combating countless health emergencies, from loneliness and mental health to physical inactivity and obesity, it’s important to remember that what we need most isn’t for sale. Let’s come together more often to play, sweat, soak up the sun, and truly connect. ?? Subscribe to Fitt Insider for the latest health and fitness headlines delivered every Tuesday. → https://lnkd.in/ePW8y89d [ ??: Chartr]
Exciting opportunity alert!?? Come be a part of our SweatPals team to build the future of fitness together with the best and most supportive teammates! Open roles: Senior Marketing Manager: https://lnkd.in/gB8A-cQA Executive Assistant: https://lnkd.in/gPMZ7NZU Customer Success Manager: https://lnkd.in/g9W2ygSv Senior Graphic Designer: https://lnkd.in/ge52D9v7 Don’t see a position that fits you? Submit your resume via [email protected], and we’ll reach out when the right opportunity comes along!
?? Boulderfest 2024 by?Bouldering Project?was nothing short of EPIC! With over 2,000 people signing up through SweatPals, the energy was (literally) through the roof! ??♂??? From jaw-dropping sends to unbeatable community vibes, this comp showed what climbing is all about: grit, heart, and togetherness. ?? Whether you topped out or gave it your all on the wall, you’ve inspired by showing up! ?? Keep the momentum going—your next climb is always the best one! ????
SweatPals转发了
Krystal is one of the most inspiring and inclusive creators on the SweatPals platform. Her talent for building genuine connections within her community is remarkable. Don’t miss her valuable tips below!
The community I built grew to over 2,000 members. With 100 people passing through our events weekly, 59% of them are regulars. When I talk to the people in our group about why they keep coming back, I hear the same thing over and over: “It’s the community – the way everyone is so welcoming and friendly.” For many, that warmth goes beyond the hosts facilitating the event; it’s the people themselves who make the difference. Here are the things that start the ripple: 1- Remembering names. This small act makes people feel seen, and I do my best to remember each one. In a time where many feel easily overlooked or forgotten, simply remembering someone’s name can go far. 2- Reintroductions. Introduce people beyond their job titles. We often use fun icebreakers to help them share more of who they are. What was your favorite moment from this summer, big or small? What childhood dream do you still think about? What’s your favorite conspiracy theory? 3- The non-calendared hang outs. Every minute seems to be scheduled for folks, so I find real value in the unscheduled, casual suggestion of grabbing a bite or just hanging out. These moments allow people to connect without the constraints of an agenda and gather in a more authentic way. When you create a space where people feel like they matter, they start doing the same for others.
SweatPals转发了
Last week, a 12-year chapter of my life came to a close, and a new one began. In 2012, I moved to the United States with dreams of education and opportunity, eager to see what the future could hold. But just two years later, I faced one of the most significant challenges of my life: after earning my Master’s degree, my immigration status was denied, preventing me from continuing to live here and work on my new startup. This forced me to leave the country I had worked so hard to reach. Suddenly, I found myself in Istanbul, feeling lost and uncertain about the future.?Returning to my home country of Iran wasn’t an option due to sanctions at the time that would have made it impossible for me to return to the U.S.? Those were some of the toughest days of my life. Despite publishing 16 journal papers and co-authoring a patent in those two years, I felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away. I was offered to go to other places in the world to study or work, but I knew deep down that if I wanted to be in a place where hard work and perseverance could truly shape my destiny, I needed to find a way back to the U.S. With the unwavering support of my grad school professors and friends, who believed in me enough to write 22 letters of recommendation—including one from the president of Northeastern University—I returned to the U.S. on a new visa. I returned with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude for the chance to continue my journey here. Since then, I’ve bought a house, exited my first company, and launched my second one, SweatPals, driven by the same dreams that brought me here over a decade ago. And now, I’m beyond proud to say that I am a U.S. citizen. My immigration journey has taught me the power of resilience, community, and believing in yourself even when the odds are against you. I am endlessly grateful to everyone who stood by me when times were tough, and to all who have been part of this journey. Here’s to dreaming big, working hard, and making a positive impact. Together, we can achieve anything.