This startup is betting on fitness events to help people find friends in the AI era — and it just raised $12 million

In a bid to enhance real-life social interactions, Sweatpals, a social fitness and wellness event platform, is aiming to pull people away from their screens and into engaging in-person experiences. CEO Salar Shahini emphasized the importance of building offline connections in an increasingly digital world, stating, "AI is going to build the internet and the online world, but someone needs to build the offline world - and working out is a very big part of that." Founded in 2022 by Shahini and Mandi Zhou, Sweatpals serves as a hub for discovering local fitness events, including outdoor yoga sessions, cold plunge activities, and group hikes. The platform not only connects participants but also empowers hosts—whether individuals, groups, or fitness studios—to manage their events, handle ticket sales, and execute marketing efforts. With fresh capital in hand, Sweatpals is poised to expand its reach into new U.S. markets and enhance its offerings for gyms and studios. The startup recently announced a successful $12 million seed funding round led by notable venture capital firms such as Patron, A16z Speedrun, and HartBeat Ventures, the investment arm of comedian Kevin Hart. This funding boosts Sweatpals’ total financing to an impressive $17.2 million. The investment round attracted interest from various angel investors, including Instacart co-founder Max Mullen and Jeffrey Katzenberg of WndrCo, along with support from VC funds like Antler and Pear. Amber Atherton, a partner at Patron, expressed enthusiasm for Sweatpals, noting its alignment with their focus on fostering social connections in the age of AI. The platform boasts over 1 million monthly users, with a demographic skewing towards young adults aged 20 to 35, approximately 60% of whom are women. Shahini highlighted that community engagement is a core aspect of Sweatpals, where users can participate in recurring events and directly connect with others in their group. He stated, "We want to build loyalty," and noted that returning participants often identify friendships as a key motivator for their continued engagement. Initially prioritizing social features for its users, Sweatpals has recently shifted focus to enhance tools for hosts, recognizing their crucial role in the platform's ecosystem. Shahini described the app as a marketplace for real-world fitness experiences, facilitating event discovery and community building. The events on Sweatpals vary from free to ticketed experiences, with most costing around $30. The startup generates revenue by taking a percentage of ticket sales, with a fee structure designed to support hosts effectively. Additionally, Sweatpals is exploring brand partnerships for sponsorship opportunities, further diversifying its revenue streams. Amid the growing trends of wellness and real-life social interactions, Sweatpals positions itself as a daytime alternative to traditional nightlife, catering to those who seek fulfillment through fitness rather than drinking. As societal shifts occur, the platform aims to harness the passion for health and community, empowering users to meet and bond through shared physical activities.