Card.io has turned cardio into a fun, competitive, and engaging experience for communities and club operations. And now for corporate wellness programs.
A gamified aerobic fitness app has secured investment for ABC’s “Shark Tank” season 16 premiere.
Card.io focuses on community, allowing people to come together, form teams, and participate in competitive social games like outdoor fitness and Turf Wars. There you will claim an area of the city and protect it from others while walking, running and roaming. cycle. Users can also connect with local running and walking clubs, participate in challenges, and coordinate contests to win prizes from brand partners and local stores.
The commercial explains the concept by showing a Card.io user sitting on a couch. He receives a notice that part of his lawn has been stolen, prompting him to flee.
Bell pitched Card.io to the Sharks for $150,000 for 5% of 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.
Credit: Card.io
“The idea for Card.io came from imagining that an app like Pokemon Go could be a fitness app,” said Destin George Bell, CEO and founder of Card.io. After Pokemon Go’s parent company, Niantic, made our first investment, that was all the confidence we needed to know we were on to something. Not only was we invited to join Tank, but getting signed by (John and Williams) made it even clearer that we were building something that people wanted.”
Credit: Card.io
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 grow Card.io’s user base, enhance the app’s functionality, and drive new partnerships with global fitness brands. Card.io also plans to launch this app within the corporate wellness market to drive employee engagement.
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The app also integrates with popular fitness trackers and apps like Strava and Garmin, allowing Card.io users to sync their activities. To date, Card.io has more than 25,000 users across the U.S. and more than 70 countries, according to the platform.
“More than 350 clubs across the U.S. use our product as a fun way to engage with their club members,” said Joe Kania, COO of Card.io. “We see a huge opportunity in employee wellness programs.” “Our product has shown the ability to motivate people who might not normally be runners into action, which is a huge factor in what employers offer to keep their employees active. Card.io could become a big player in the U.S. market in aerobic challenges that are more engaging than simply counting steps or walking on a treadmill.”
Card.io is now available on the Apple App Store. A waitlist is available for Android users.
Courtney Rehfeldt
Courtney Rehfeldt has worked in the broadcast media industry since 2007 and freelanced since 2012. Her work has been featured in Age of Awards, Times Beacon Record, The New York Times, and has an upcoming article in Slate. She studied yoga and meditation with Beryl Bender Birch at the Hard & the Soft Yoga Institute. She loves hiking, being outdoors, and is an avid reader. Courtney holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication Studies.
