Zwift
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fitness software, Online gaming |
| Founded | January 1, 2014 in California, United States |
| Founder | Jon Mayfield, Eric Min, Scott Barger, Alarik Myrin |
| Headquarters | California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Eric Min (CEO) |
| Products | Zwift cycling and running training platform, Zwift Ride Smart Bike |
| Website | www |
Zwift is an online platform designed for cycling and running training, supporting a massively multiplayer environment where participants can engage, train, and compete within a virtual setting.
Created by Zwift Inc., the company was established in California in 2014 by co-founders Jon Mayfield, Eric Min, Scott Barger, and Alarik Myrin.
The Zwift application debuted in beta form in September 2014 through a collaboration with TRUE Communications/InGoodTaste and transitioned to a subscription model charging US$10 monthly in October 2015. Subscription fees were later adjusted to US$14.99 in November 2017 and further increased to US$19.99 as of May 2024.
Early history
Between 2012 and 2013, Eric Min, following the sale of his company Sakonnet Technology, aimed to innovate indoor cycling by enhancing its social aspects. As an avid cyclist dissatisfied with existing interactive solutions, Min partnered with Jon Mayfield, a developer working on a "3D trainer program." Together, they decided to establish a business centered on this concept.
Beta
The initial virtual environment, Jarvis Island, was introduced as an exclusive invite-only beta on September 30, 2014. The platform rapidly attracted interest, with over 13,000 applications vying for just 1,000 beta invitations. The launch event took place simultaneously at Rapha Clubhouses located in London, New York City, and San Francisco. By May 2015, Zwift opened its beta access to the public. On September 3, 2015, the platform unveiled a virtual rendition of the Richmond (Virginia) course used in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.
Zwift officially became available as a full subscription service on October 30, 2015, priced at $10 per month.
Technology
Zwift allows cyclists to use stationary trainers while exploring virtual landscapes. Participants can ride freely or engage in group rides, races, and structured workouts. The system employs ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy protocols to transmit data and calculates speed and power output by integrating rider weight and equipment details. "Smart" trainers equipped with built-in power meters provide precise wattage readings and simulate terrain gradients by adjusting resistance levels. For traditional trainers without power meters, Zwift estimates power using cadence data combined with trainer-specific power curves.
Originally launched exclusively on PC platforms, Zwift expanded to iOS devices in December 2016 and became accessible on Apple TV by November 2017. The mobile application enables users to steer their avatar, capture screenshots, communicate with others, activate power-ups, and track fellow riders. By January 2018, the platform had amassed over 550,000 registered users.
In late 2024, Zwift released the Zwift Ride Smart Bike featuring integrated controls and compatibility with Kickr Core trainers.
Investment
In December 2018, Zwift completed a Series B funding round securing $120 million led by Highland Europe. CEO Eric Min indicated that these resources would support growth areas such as esports competitions and the advancement of Zwift Run. The company earned the fifth position among Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in Sports for 2019.
Subsequently, in September 2020, Zwift raised $450 million through a minority investment led by KKR aimed at enhancing its core software platform and launching proprietary hardware products.
Worlds
Zwift offers twelve distinct virtual worlds or maps; among them only Watopia, a fictional island setting, is continuously accessible. Watopia features expansions including imaginative elements like dinosaurs and volcanic terrain rides alongside Alpe du Zwift—a representation of the renowned Alpe d'Huez climb. Nine additional worlds operate on a rotation schedule:
- Richmond replicates the course from the 2015 UCI Road World Championships held in Virginia and was Zwift’s first map modeled on a real-world location;
- London draws from segments of the 2016 Prudential RideLondon route;
- New York presents a futuristic version of Central Park featuring flying vehicles and elevated glass pathways;
- Innsbruck recreates portions of the 2018 UCI Road World Championships course;
- Yorkshire mirrors the finishing circuit used during the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Harrogate;
- France showcases landscapes inspired by Tour de France stages including Mont Ventoux;
- Paris duplicates the Tour de France finale along the Champs-Élysées;
- Makuri Islands is a fantasy world influenced by Japanese culture introduced in June 2021;
- Scotland was developed specifically for the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
Two additional worlds are reserved for special events:
- Bologna replicates the opening time trial course from the 2019 Giro d’Italia;
- Crit City is designed for short-format criterium-style racing.
In July 2023, Zwift launched “climb portals,” abstract environments that simulate famous real-world hill climbs based on their gradient and distance. As of March 2024, twenty such climbs are available.
Community
By mid-2021, Zwift's Facebook page had amassed more than 334,000 followers. The platform's profile was notably raised when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg chose Zwift for his rehabilitation training following an injury. Those who participate on Zwift are commonly referred to as "Zwifters." Early on, Zwift integrated with the ride-sharing app Strava, enabling automatic uploads of rides. The earliest recorded Zwift race took place in March 2015 via Facebook, inspired by traditional weeknight road racing formats. KISS emerged as one of the first race organizers in late 2015 and grew to become a leading organizer by 2018.
By September 2022, Zwift users had collectively achieved:
- 3.37 billion miles cycled
- 53 billion meters ascended
- 26.9 billion watt-hours produced
- An average elevation gain per ride of 277 meters
- An average ride distance of 17.47 miles
- Completion of 171,000 imperial centuries
- Receipt of 1.11 billion "ride ons"
- Participation in 74.3 million workout sessions
- Hosting over 1,000 races weekly
- A peak simultaneous user count of 47,000
- A total moving time exceeding 191 million hours
- Accounts belonging to 2,395 professional athletes
Cycling
Zwift introduced the Zwift Academy initiative in early 2016 as a means to discover cycling talent through its digital platform. The first edition attracted approximately 1,200 competitors, with former marathoner Leah Thorvilson winning and securing a professional contract for the following year. In 2017, the program expanded to include a men's division. That year, former triathlete Tanja Erath claimed victory in the women's category from a field of 2,100 participants, earning a contract with Canyon-SRAM for 2018. Meanwhile, ex-speed skater Ollie Jones won the men's race against over 9,200 cyclists to join the team.
The Academy's structure comprises an eight-week training regimen featuring sixteen events such as interval workouts and virtual group rides and races. From this stage, ten riders progress to semifinals, with three finalists ultimately competing in person for professional contracts.
| Year | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Leah Thorvilson | |
| 2017 | Ollie Jones | Tanja Erath |
| 2018 | Martin Lavrič | Ella Harris |
| 2019 | Drew Christensen | Jessica Pratt |
| 2020 | Jay Vine | Neve Bradbury |
| 2021 | Alex Bogna | Maud Oudeman |
| 2022 | Luca Vergallito | Alex Morrice |
| 2023 | Louis Kitzki | Maddie Le Roux |
| 2024 | Noah Ramsay | Emily Dixon |
Triathlon
In 2018, Zwift broadened the scope of its Zwift Academy to include triathlon talent identification. Four athletes were selected for the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team: Rachael Norfleet (USA), Geert Janssens (Belgium), Golo Philippe Röhrken (Germany), and Bex Rimmington (United Kingdom).
Elite Esports Cycling Events
In 2019, Craig Edmondson was appointed CEO of Zwift Esports as the company launched two professional e-racing series featuring elite cyclists.
The inaugural season of the professional cycling esports competition, the KISS Super League in 2019, featured four UCI Continental men's teams: Team Wiggins Le Col, Canyon–SRAM, Hagens Berman Axeon, and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka U23.
With the postponement of the Tour de France due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zwift organized a six-stage virtual tour in July 2020.
December of that year marked the first-ever UCI Cycling Esports World Championship conducted on Zwift.
In March 2023, Zwift was selected as the official cycling platform for the Olympics Esports Series.
Sponsorships
Beginning in 2022, Zwift assumed the role of title sponsor for the Tour de France Femmes and Paris–Roubaix Femmes events, significantly boosting its visibility within the top tier of women's professional cycling.