Card.io has turned cardio into a fun, competitive and engaging experience for communities and running clubs, and now it will target corporate wellness programs
A gamified aerobics app has secured funding for the Season 16 premiere of ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
Card.io emphasizes community, allowing people to come together and form teams to participate in outdoor fitness and competitive social games such as Turf Wars, in which they claim an area of town and compete by walking, running, and other means Defend the area from others. cycle. Users can also connect with local running or walking clubs to participate in challenges or coordinate races to win prizes from brand partners and local stores.
one commercial The concept is explained, showing a Card.io user sitting on a couch. He received a notification that part of his land had been stolen, prompting him to go for a run.
Bell pitched Card.io to Sharks, seeking $150,000 for a 5% stake in his Texas-based company. Daymond John and “Shark Tank” guest investor and venture capitalist Rashawn Williams offered Bell $150,000 in exchange for a 15% stake.
“The idea for Card.io came from imagining whether an app like Pokemon Go could become a fitness app,” said Destin George Bell, CEO and founder of Card.io. “One Years later, Pokemon Go parent company Niantic gave us our first investment, and that was all the confirmation I needed to believe we were on to something, not only being invited to be on Shark Tank, but also getting an invitation from (John and Williams), it made it even clearer that we were making something people wanted!”
The app also makes it easy to schedule events, create internal challenges for members, and track data like mileage and pace trends.
The investment will be used to expand Card.io’s user base, enhance app functionality and drive new partnerships with global fitness brands. Card.io also plans to launch the app in the corporate wellness market to increase employee engagement.
The app also integrates with popular fitness trackers and apps like Strava and Garmin, allowing Card.io users to sync their activity. To date, Card.io has more than 25,000 users in the United States and more than 70 countries, according to the platform.
“With over 350 clubs across the U.S. using our product as a fun way to engage with their club members, we see a huge opportunity for corporate employee wellness programs,” said Joe Kania, COO of Card.io. “Our product has been shown to get people who aren’t typically the best runners into action, which is an important factor in what employers are offering to keep their employees active. Card.io has the potential to become America’s Cardio Challenge. A significant player in the market, this challenge is more engaging than just counting steps or walking on a treadmill.”
card.io Now available on the Apple App Store. A waitlist is available for Android users.
