Zwift

In 2012/13, Eric Min had recently sold his previous company, Sakonnet Technology.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7860741|title=Sakonnet Technology, LLC: Private Company Information - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-01-03}} Min, a lifelong cyclist, found himself confined to riding indoors, and dissatisfied with current interactive options, he believed he could improve on them by "making cycling social".{{Cite web|url=http://community.zwift.com/news/99-ceo-eric-min-shares-his-story|title=Zwift {{!}} News - CEO Eric Min shares his story|website=Zwift|language=en|access-date=2018-01-03}} Around this time, Min saw an online post by programmer Jon Mayfield describing a "3D trainer program" he was developing as a hobby project. Min promptly contacted Mayfield, making arrangements to fly to Los Angeles to speak to him; the two agreed to co-found a company around the project.{{Cite news|url=https://zwiftcast.com/uncategorized/zwifcast-episode-one-how-to-listen/|title=Zwiftcast - Episode One - How to listen - Zwiftcast|date=2015-11-29|work=Zwiftcast|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-GB}}

The first virtual world, Jarvis Island, was released as an invite-only beta product on September 30, 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bicycleretailer.com/product-tech/2014/10/01/software-startup-blends-gaming-and-riding#.Wg214rSFiyt|title=Software startup blends gaming and riding|work=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News|access-date=2018-01-03}} The product proved unexpectedly popular, and more than 13,000 applications were received for 1,000 beta places.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/zwift-beta-receives-13000-sign-ups-made-list-139796|title=Zwift beta receives 13,000 sign-ups - have you made the list? - Cycling Weekly|date=2014-10-13|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US}} The launch took place simultaneously in Rapha Clubhouses in London, New York City and San Francisco.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/zwift-launches-multiplayer-online-training-videogame-42593/|title=Zwift launches multiplayer online training video game|work=BikeRadar|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-gb}} By May 2015, Zwift had moved into open beta.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zwift-online-training-game-now-open-to-all/|title=Zwift online training game now open to all {{!}} Cyclingnews.com|work=Cyclingnews.com|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-gb}} A virtual version of the Richmond (Virginia) 2015 UCI Road World Championships Course was introduced on September 3, 2015.{{Cite news|url=http://road.cc/content/news/163030-ride-world-championship-course-without-leaving-home|title=Ride the World Championship course without leaving home|date=2015-09-03|work=road.cc|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en}}

On October 30, 2015, Zwift launched as a fully fledged product with a $10 monthly subscription fee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bicycling.com/training/monthly-subscriptions-and-structured-training-coming-to-zwift|title=Monthly Subscriptions and Structured Training Coming to Zwift|date=2015-10-15|work=Bicycling|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en}}

Zwift allows players to ride their bicycles on stationary trainers while navigating through virtual worlds.{{Cite web |title=The best indoor cycling apps compared: which training app should you use? |url=https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-indoor-cycling-apps/ |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=BikeRadar |language=en}} Players may cycle freely around the game world and join organized group rides, races, or workouts with other users. Zwift uses ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy technologies to transmit data that, in combination with athlete weight and equipment choices, is used to convert the athlete's efforts as speed and power. "Smart" trainers, which include a built-in power meter, permit accuracy in the measurement of watts as well as enabling an immersive technology experience, where resistance is applied or lessened to simulate the gradient encountered on the virtual course. Zwift estimates the power of users on conventional trainers via the user's cadence and the power curve of a wide range of specified trainers.

Zwift was originally available only for users with personal computers. In December 2016, Zwift launched on iOS,{{Cite news|date=2016-12-10|title=Zwift for iOS available now|language=en-US|work=Zwift Insider|url=https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-ios-available-now/|access-date=2018-01-03}} and in November 2017, the application became available via Apple TV.{{Cite web|date=2017-11-20|title=Zwift Releases Apple TV App: Everything you need to know {{!}} DC Rainmaker|url=https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2017/11/zwift-releases-apple-tv-4k.html|access-date=2018-01-03|website=www.dcrainmaker.com|language=en-US}} Zwift also includes a mobile app which allows users to change direction, take screenshots, communicate via messaging, use power-ups and follow other athletes.{{cite web|last=Atkinson|first=Dave|date=27 November 2017|title=Video: how to use your phone as a Zwift controller|url=http://road.cc/content/feature/232908-video-how-use-your-phone-zwift-controller|access-date=30 December 2017}} As of January 2018, there were over 550,000 accounts.{{Cite news|last=Bonnington|first=Christina|date=2018-01-01|title=Indoor Cycling Is No Longer Excruciatingly Boring|language=en-US|work=Slate|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2018/01/how_to_have_fun_riding_a_stationary_bike_for_your_new_year_s_resolution.html|access-date=2018-01-17|issn=1091-2339}}

In December 2018, Zwift raised a Series B investment of $120 million: the investment round was led by Highland Europe, an English investment company.{{Cite web|last=Reid|first=Carlton|title=Cycling's World Governing Body To Host Zwift-Themed Esport Version Of World Championships In 2020|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/09/26/cyclings-world-governing-body-to-host-zwift-themed-esport-version-of-world-championships-in-2020/|access-date=2019-10-06|website=Forbes|language=en}} The CEO Eric Min announced the money would be spent on categories expansion, including esports tournaments and further development of Zwift Run.{{Cite web|title=Zwift, which turns indoor cycling workouts into multiplayer games, raises $120M|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/19/zwift-which-turns-indoor-cycling-workouts-into-multiplayer-games-raises-120m/|access-date=2018-12-19|website=TechCrunch|date=19 December 2018 |language=en-US}}{{cite news|last=Ogus|first=Simon|date=21 Dec 2018|title=Zwift Raises $120M To Expand Its Virtual Cycling Technology To Esports|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonogus/2018/12/21/zwift-raises-120m-to-expand-its-virtual-cycling-app-to-esports/#5cfb5e955f42|access-date=6 Jan 2019}} Zwift ranked fifth in Fast Company's 2019 Most Innovative Companies (Sports Sector).{{cite web|author=|date=2019|title=2019: The most innovative companies - honorees by sector|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2019/sectors/sports|access-date=23 Feb 2019|website=fastcompany.com|publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC}}{{cite web|author=|date=2019|title=Zwift: Most Innovative Companies|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/company/zwift|access-date=23 Feb 2019|website=fastcompany.com|publisher=Mansueto Ventures, LLC}}

In September 2020, Zwift raised a $450 million minority investment led by investment firm KKR. The funds will be used to push the development of Zwift's core software platform and bring Zwift-designed hardware to market.{{Cite web|title=Zwift, maker of a popular indoor training app, just landed a whopping $450 million in funding led by KKR|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/16/zwift-maker-of-a-popular-indoor-training-app-just-landed-a-whopping-450-million-in-funding-led-by-kkr/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}

There are twelve worlds, or maps, in Zwift.{{cite web|url=https://support.zwift.com/en_us/zwift-worlds-and-cycling-routes-Sy2_gxTGB|title=Zwift Worlds and Cycling Routes|website= support.zwift.com|access-date=June 8, 2021}} Only one is always available: Watopia, a fictitious island, which has seen some of its expansions lean into fantasy, including dinosaurs and riding into an active volcano. This world also includes Alpe du Zwift, a recreation of the famous Alpe d'Huez climb. Nine worlds are rotated according to a predetermined schedule. They are: {{bulleted list

|Richmond, a realistic depiction of the course used by professional riders in the 2015 UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, United States. The course is urban and the first "real world" map Zwift attempted;{{cite web|url=https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/09/course-championships-richmond.html|title= Zwift rolls out first real-world course: UCI 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond {{!}} DC Rainmaker|website=DC Rainmaker|date=September 2, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2018}}

|London, inspired by sections of the 2016 Prudential RideLondon course;

|New York, a futuristic version of Central Park, with flying cars and elevated glass roads;

|Innsbruck, which recreates parts of the 2018 UCI Road World Championships course;

|Yorkshire, a recreation of the finishing circuit of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships course in Harrogate;

|France, inspired by the varied scenery of the Tour de France, including a recreation of the famous Mont Ventoux climb;

|Paris, a recreation of the traditional finishing circuit of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées;

|Makuri Islands, a fantasy landscape inspired by Japanese culture (released on June 1, 2021);{{cite web|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zwift-launches-a-new-world-called-makuri-islands/|title=Zwift launches a new world called Makuri Islands|first=Josh|last=Croxton|publisher=CyclingNews|date=May 20, 2021|access-date=June 8, 2021}}

|Scotland, which was created to host the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships}}

The last two worlds can only be accessed as part of a scheduled event:

{{bulleted list

|Bologna, which recreates the opening time trial of the 2019 Giro d'Italia;

|Crit City, which is available for short, criterium-style races}}

In July 2023 Zwift began opening “climb portals” that allow the rider access to real-world hill climbs that represent the grade and milage of famous hills but do so in an abstract environment of color and shapes not earthly environments. As of March 2024 there are 20 such climbs.

As of June 2021, Zwift had more than 334,000 fans on the social media platform Facebook. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg used the platform to help continue training after suffering a broken arm.{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/21/zwift-merges-indoor-fitness-with-massive-multi-player-online-gaming/|title=Zwift merges indoor fitness with massive multi-player online gaming|last=Shivakumar|first=Felicia|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2018-01-04|language=en}} An article in La Velocita called the game's fans "Zwifters".{{Cite news|url=https://www.lavelocita.cc/opinion-page/zwifters|title=What type of Zwifter are you?|work=LA VELOCITA.|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US}} An early partnership between Zwift and ride-sharing site Strava has led to integration with Zwift rides being automatically uploaded to Strava if users enable the function. The first documented Zwift race was held March 3, 2015 organized through Facebook and modeled after weeknight race-riding, a common community event in the road racing subculture of cycling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/just-ride/tuesday-night-worlds-cash-payout/1538308096433629/|title=Tuesday Night Worlds! (Cash Payout!)|website=www.facebook.com}} One of the earliest groups to offer established racing on Zwift was KISS, which started races in late 2015 and had grown by 2018 to become one of the largest organizers on the platform.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/indoor-cycling-apps-364282|title=Indoor cycling apps compared: which is best for you? - Cycling Weekly|date=2018-01-05|work=Cycling Weekly|access-date=2018-01-18|language=en-US}}

As of September 2022, Zwift users had used the platform to amass:{{Cite news|url=https://gearandgrit.com/over-3-billion-miles-have-been-ridden-in-zwift-since-its-2014-launch/|title=Over 3-billion Miles Have Been Ridden in Zwift Since its 2014 Launch|work=Gear & Grit|access-date=2022-12-24|language=en-US}}

• Total miles ridden: 3.37 billion
• Total meters climbed: 53 billion
• Total watt hours: 26.9 billion
• Average elevation: 277m
• Average distance: 17.47 miles
• Imperial centuries: 171k
• Ride ons received: 1.11 billion
• Workout activities: 74.3 million
• Weekly races: 1000+
• Peak concurrent users: 47k
• Total moving time: 191 million hours
• Pro athlete accounts: 2,395

In early 2016 Zwift launched the {{em|Zwift Academy}} program, which utilises the platform to test would-be riders for their suitability for professional bicycle racing. In the inaugural competition, 1,200 cyclists entered, with former marathon runner Leah Thorvilson being crowned the winner and securing a contract with the {{UCI team code|LPR2|2017}} team for 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zwift-academy-transforms-a-rider-from-amateur-to-pro-with-canyon-sram/ |title=Zwift Academy transforms a rider from amateur to pro with Canyon-SRAM |last=Glass |first=Aoife |date=1 August 2017 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=18 August 2018}} The Academy expanded for 2017, adding a men's competition: that year the women's competition was won by ex-triathlete Tanja Erath, who finished first in a field of 2,100 entrants and won a contract with Canyon-SRAM for 2018,{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zwift-academy-winner-tanja-erath-earns-canyon-sram-contract/ |title=Zwift Academy winner Tanja Erath earns Canyon-SRAM contract |author= |date=8 January 2018 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=18 August 2018}} whilst the first men's competition was won by former speed skater Ollie Jones, who beat 9,200 other cyclists to secure a place with the {{UCI team code|DDC|2018}} team.{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2017/11/22/kiwi-jones-selected-zwift-academy-winner |title=Kiwi Jones selected as Zwift Academy winner |author= |date=22 November 2017 |website=sbs.com.au |access-date=18 August 2018 }} The Academy initially centers on an eight-week training program incorporating 16 events, with interval training and virtual group rides and races, before ten riders are selected for the semi-final stage and then a final three are chosen to compete against each other in real life.{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/technology/2018/08/zwift-academys-unusual-contest-that-gives-everyday-cyclists-a-shot-at-going-pro.html |title=The Unusual Contest That Gives Everyday Cyclists a Chance at Going Pro |last=Bonnington |first=Christina |date=18 August 2018 |website=Slate |access-date=18 August 2018}}

In 2018, the Zwift Academy talent identification concept was expanded to include the sport of triathlon.{{cite news |author= |date=1 Mar 2018 |title=Zwift and Specialized join forces to launch Triathlon Academy|url=https://triathlonmagazine.ca/feature/zwift-specialized-join-forces-launch-triathlon-academy/ |work=Triathlon Magazine Canada |access-date=6 Jan 2019}} Four athletes were selected to the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team; Rachael Norfleet (United States), Geert Janssens (Belgium), Golo Philippe Röhrken (Germany), Bex Rimmington (United Kingdom).{{cite web |url=https://www.endurancebusiness.com/2018/industry-news/specialized-zwift-academy-triathlon-team-announced/ |title=Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team announced |author= |date=24 Apr 2018 |website=endurancebusiness.com |access-date=6 Jan 2019 }}

In 2019, Zwift appointed Craig Edmondson as CEO at Zwift Esports, and produced two e-race series events. Participants were professional athletes competing on the platform.{{Cite web|url=https://cyclingtips.com/2019/09/zwift-and-uci-announce-first-e-world-championships-for-2020/|title=Zwift and UCI announce first e-world championships for 2020|date=2019-09-27}}

The 2019 debut of a professional cycling esports League (KISS Super League), which was announced back in late 2018,{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Andrew |date= 17 Dec 2018|title= Virtual Fitness Platform Zwift Launches First Esports League for Pro Cycling|url=https://www.sporttechie.com/virtual-fitness-platform-zwift-launches-first-esports-league-pro-cycling/ |access-date=6 Jan 2019 }} with the participation of four UCI Continental men's professional cycling teams confirmed: Team Wiggins Le Col, Canyon–SRAM, Hagens Berman Axeon and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka U23.{{cite news |last=Dawson |first=Andrew |date=14 Dec 2018 |title=Zwift Creates Professional E-Sports Cycling League: THE FOUR TEAMS AND COUNTING WILL COMPETE FOR THE FIRST TIME LIVE IN JANUARY |url= https://www.bicycling.com/news/a25589206/zwift-professional-esports-cycling-league/|work=Bicycling|access-date=6 Jan 2019 }}

In July 2020, due to the Tour de France being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/52275641 |title=Tour de France set to be postponed amid coronavirus pandemic |work=BBC Sport |access-date=14 April 2020}} Zwift was used to host a virtual tour consisting of six stages.{{Cite web|url=https://www.letour.fr/en/virtual-tour-de-france|title=Virtual Tour de France|website=www.letour.fr}}

In December 2020, the first ever UCI Cycling Esports World Championship was held on Zwift.{{Cite web|title=2020 UCI Cycling eSports World Championships|url=https://www.zwift.com/uk/2020-uci-cycling-esports-world-championships|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Zwift|language=en}}

In March 2023, it was announced that Zwift would be a part of the Olympics Esports Series as the Cycling event.{{Cite web |title=Olympic Esports Events For 2023 Include Gran Turismo, Just Dance, Chess |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/olympic-esports-events-for-2023-include-gran-turismo-just-dance-chess/1100-6511935/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

Since 2022, Zwift has been the title sponsor of the Tour de France Femmes and Paris–Roubaix Femmes cycling races.{{Cite web |last=Rook |first=Anne-Marije |date=2022-10-27 |title=Sponsoring the Tour de France Femmes: what's in it for Zwift? |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/sponsoring-the-tour-de-france-femmes-whats-in-it-for-zwift |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=cyclingweekly.com |language=en}}

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