Austin-based SweatPals has closed a $3 million funding round led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Pear VC, a key milestone furthering the company’s mission to foster connections through fitness.
SweatPals co-founder and CEO Salar Shahini announced the funding in a post on LinkedIn.
According to Shahini, this funding round has special significance not only for the capital but also for the partnership it brings.
“When we launched SweatPals 18 months ago, we were deeply inspired by the cold start problem and the great markets we admire,” Shahini wrote. “Being able to partner with 16z partner Andrew Chen, a growth expert and an inspirational author, feels like a full-circle moment.”
This round was also led by Pejman Nozad of Pear VC. His inspiring journey as a compatriot resonated with co-founder and chief product officer Mandi Zhou and Shahini.
“Pageman’s story of resilience and vision is a powerful reminder of what is possible with determination,” Shahini wrote.
Shahini said this fundraising wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering belief of early supporters, including Warren Schaefer, who has been an avid supporter of Sweatpals since the beginning. He also thanked Robin Guo, who played a pivotal role in making this round possible, and Jared Simon, Fardad Zabetian, Prerna Sharma, and Perham, whose $800,000 initial investment was essential to setting up the round.・We expressed special gratitude to early supporters such as Mr. A. Basics.
SweatPals was founded to divide and unite people of all backgrounds through shared fitness experiences. The platform’s AI-driven features allow users to connect with workout partners, discover training opportunities, and share their health journey while fostering authentic connections. “Fitness is a space where people from all backgrounds can come together. We’re not just building this for our community. We’re building it with them,” Shahini wrote. .
The new funding will fuel SweatPals’ growth as it expands its digital platform with more innovative capabilities, strategic partnerships, and wellness initiatives. The team is also actively hiring positions for people who are excited to help shape the future of fitness and community engagement.
“Most importantly, we want to thank you, our amazing community — all the creators, fitness entrepreneurs, and members who have embraced our vision, shared it with friends, and attended our events. You are the heartbeat of Sweatpal. ,” Shahini wrote. “Your belief was so strong that we invested a total of $800,000 in the final round. We’re not just building this for you, we’re building this with you. Thank you for being with us every step of this journey.”
