Strava co-founder and CEO Michael Horvath resigns

Strava app on apple watch screen
(Image credit: Paul Brett)

Strava, one of the best cycling tracking apps, is on the hunt for a new CEO after Michael Horvath, the current CEO announced his resignation. In a letter posted to Strava’s press site, Horvath, who co-founded the company in 2009, said that a search is underway for his successor.

Strava has recently faced a user backlash and a chorus of criticism after confusing price rises were quietly announced to their subscribers in January, the brand then issued a public apology for the confusing hike in costs. At around the same time, they also laid off around fifteen percent of their workforce and although the resignation is not known to be connected, it could be seen as more negative press for the platform.

Starva home screen on iphone and laptop

(Image credit: Paul Brett)

This will not be the first time that Horvath has resigned as CEO of Strava. In 2013, four years after he co-founded the company, he stepped down to spend more time with his wife, who was battling cancer. He returned as CEO six years later.

Horvath wrote "As co-founder and CEO of Strava, it’s only part of my job to ensure we are picking the right path to that destination. The other part of it is to ensure we always recruit and support the right leaders for the right times. I have decided that Strava needs a CEO with the experience and skills to help us make the most of this next chapter.”

Top down view of Strava on iphone

(Image credit: Paul Brett)

Not all recent news has been bad with Strava seeing incredible growth in the past three years, becoming one of the best apps for mountain bikers and cyclists around the world, and they announced over 100 million users had joined the platform over the past few years.

Strava recently rolled out a host of new features, including 3D mapping, a new off-road interface to support high-growth trail sports like gravel cycling, and video uploading. Strava has also acquired Fatmap, a global mapping app, and is seen as an attempt by the brand to become the Google Maps of the outdoor world.

Paul Brett
Staff writer

Based in Edinburgh, Paul Brett is a staff writer for BikePerfect.com. He has been an avid cyclist for as long as he can remember, initially catching the mountain biking bug in the 1990s, and raced mountain bikes for over a decade before injury cut short a glittering career. He’s since developed an obsession for gravel riding and recently has dabbled in the dark art of cyclocross. A fan of the idea of bikepacking he has occasionally got involved and has ridden routes like the North Coast 500, Scotland and the Via Francigena (Pilgrim Route), Italy.


Current rides: Marin Alpine Trail 2, Ribble 725, Cube Stereo 160

Height: 175cm