FatMap

Fatmap is a technology company that developed a high-resolution 3D mapping platform for outdoor activities. Founded in 2013 by Misha Gopaul and David Cowell, the company aimed to address the shortcomings of traditional topographic maps for outdoor enthusiasts. The idea stemmed from the founders' own frustrating experiences with outdated and context-lacking maps during their mountain adventures, including getting lost on Albania's highest peak. Gopaul, a serial tech entrepreneur who had previously founded and sold Fabric Technologies, and Cowell, a mapping expert and expedition leader, combined their expertise to create a more intuitive and information-rich navigation tool.

The company's core product is a mobile and web application that provides detailed 3D terrain models, created using high-resolution satellite imagery and gaming engine technology. This allows users, primarily hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers, to visualize terrain with unprecedented detail. The platform offers features such as route planning, GPS tracking, and safety information, including analyses of gradient, aspect, and potential avalanche risk zones. Users can also access community-generated routes and expert-curated content. The business operated on a freemium model, where basic mapping was free, and a premium subscription, called Fatmap Explore, unlocked advanced features like offline maps, detailed topographic maps from various national agencies, and enhanced safety tools.

Fatmap's initial focus was on the ski market, launching a pilot in 2015 that quickly gained traction, attracting over 120,000 users within weeks of its official launch in 2016. The company then expanded its scope to include summer activities like hiking and biking. Over the years, Fatmap raised approximately $6.63 million in funding from investors including Episode 1 Ventures and InMotion Ventures. In January 2023, Strava, the leading social platform for athletes, acquired Fatmap to enhance its own mapping and route-planning capabilities for its user base, a significant portion of which engages in trail sports. Following the acquisition, the standalone Fatmap application and website are set to be retired on October 1, 2024, with its core 3D mapping technology and other features being progressively integrated into the Strava platform.

Keywords: 3D mapping, outdoor navigation, route planning, terrain analysis, ski maps, hiking technology, adventure platform, Strava acquisition, geospatial data, mobile application