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Meet the CEO of Bikemap Matthias Natmessnig. Bikemap is a top ranking cycling app that aims to make cycling safer and more fun for millions of people around the globe.
His passion for cycling and entrepreneurship led him to join Bikemap in 2016, after gaining valuable experience in management consulting and the Viennese startup scene. Since then, Bikemap has evolved into a community-driven platform that offers the best possible map and navigation experience for cyclists, with a strong brand identity and a loyal user base. In this interview, the CEO shares his insights on the market, the achievements, and the lessons learned from building Bikemap, as well as his personal interests and future plans.
We’d love to know about your career before Bikemap and where you first found that entrepreneurial spark?
For me, cycling has always been a central part of my life. Since I was able to walk, I bike from A to B, for staying fit or just for fun! This passion for cycling was the driving force behind my entrepreneurial journey.
Before Bikemap, I spent a few years in management consulting, honing my business and analytical skills. My entrepreneurial spark was ignited during my Masters Degree at the Vienna University of Business and Economics. There, I became involved with the Viennese startup scene, founding a few of my own projects and gaining valuable experience in launching and growing new ventures. This eventually led me to start at Bikemap in 2016, combining my passion for cycling and entrepreneurship.
Tell us about the business – what it is, what it aims to achieve, who you work with, how you reach customers and so on?
Bikemap’s goal is to create the #1 cycling app in the world. By providing the best possible cycling map & navigation for your smartphone, watch or computer, we want to make cycling safer, and more fun, for millions around the world.
Ultimately, we believe that cycling has the power to positively impact living spaces around the world, and that map & navigation software is the key to introduce the next 100 million people to the bicycle.
How has the business evolved since its launch? When was this?
Since its launch in 2014, Bikemap has grown significantly in terms of user base, features, and global reach. We have expanded our map coverage to include more countries and regions, added features such as turn-by-turn navigation, and integrated with popular wearable devices.
We’ve also focused on building a strong community of cyclists who contribute their local knowledge and expertise to improve the overall quality of our maps and routes.
What can you tell us about the market and how Bikemap is positioning themselves for success?
The market for cycling apps is competitive, with many general activity and outdoor apps offering cycling features.
However, Bikemap’s unique selling point is its focus on providing the best possible experience specifically for cyclists. This dedication to our niche has helped us establish a strong brand identity and a loyal user base, positioning Bikemap as the go-to app for millions of cyclists around the world.
What do you hope to achieve with this raise?
With this raise, we aim to accelerate our growth, invest in product development, expand our team, and increase our marketing efforts. Our goal is to create the #1 cycling app globally and continue providing the best possible experience for our users.
Could you tell us about some of your biggest achievements to date?
Some of our proudest achievements include reaching millions of users worldwide, and receiving positive feedback from our users who have found our app invaluable in discovering new routes and navigating their journeys. From a product perspective, being featured regularly by both Apple and Google and being recognised in the media as one of the top apps for cyclists is something that we’re particularly proud of.
Now onto some more personal questions:
What do you love to do in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy exploring new cycling and running routes, both locally and internationally, preferably in nature. I also like to unwind by spending quality time with family and friends, preferably combined with great food.
If you weren’t building Bikemap, what do you think you’d be doing?
If I weren’t building Bikemap, I would likely be involved in another venture that combines my passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and making a positive impact on people’s lives.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far building Bikemap?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned while building Bikemap is the importance of staying focused on your niche and prioritizing user needs. By concentrating on providing the best possible experience specifically for cyclists, we have been able to differentiate ourselves in a competitive market and foster a loyal user base.
Bikemap provides community-generated cycling maps and routing on a global scale. In 2022, they surpassed 7M users and 10M routes in over 150 countries worldwide – and Bikemap continues to grow as organic demand for a dedicated cycling app remains strong. Bikemap is a great opportunity to join a mission to empower cyclists worldwide and shape the future of cycling.
Check out the campaign page to learn more.
