Facebook woes can't stop social stakes

MapMyFitness, a developer of social exercise apps, today scored $9 million in funding.

MapMyFitness, a developer of social exercise apps, today scored $9 million in funding.

Austin-based MapMyFitness has a handful of popular GPS-based exercise applications under the MapMy monicker used for running, biking, hiking and so forth. People can share their workouts on Facebook and Twitter or among other MapMyFitness members.

Despite Facebook's loud flop in its Wall Street trading debut, the funding highlights continued interest in social-related investments.

"The social activty we are seeing on the site is dramatic," says MapMyFitness CEO Richard Jalichandra. "It's totally based on the social-networking effect."

Startup MapMyFitness has seen explosive growth. It has logged over 9 million registered users and counts 25,000 new registered users per day. Its apps have seen over 30 million downloads. The apps are available on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices.

Members can also visit the website for shared maps and popular courses. There they can also find leaderboards that track fastest times and award king and queen positions, among other so-called game mechanics-based virtual trophies that encourage competition.

The investment brings the company's total venture funding to over $14 million. The funding was led by Austin Ventures and new investors Milestone Venture Partners and included participation from Competitor Group, the Running Company and the Finish Line.

MapMyFitness, a developer of social exercise apps, today scored $9 million in funding.

Austin-based MapMyFitness has a handful of popular GPS-based exercise applications under the MapMy moniker used for running, biking, hiking and so forth. People can share their workouts on Facebook and Twitter or among other MapMyFitness members.

Despite Facebook's loud flop in its Wall Street trading debut, the funding highlights continued interest in social-related investments.

"The social activity we are seeing on the site is dramatic," says MapMyFitness CEO Richard Jalichandra. "It's totally based on the social-networking effect."

Startup MapMyFitness has seen explosive growth. It has logged over 9 million registered users and counts 25,000 new registered users per day. Its apps have seen over 30 million downloads. The apps are available on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices.

Members can also visit the website for shared maps and popular courses. There they can also find leaderboards that track fastest times and award king and queen positions, among other so-called game mechanics-based virtual trophies that encourage competition.

The investment brings the company's total venture funding to over $14 million. The funding was led by Austin Ventures and new investors Milestone Venture Partners and included participation from Competitor Group, the Running Company and the Finish Line.