STEPR Named to Athletech News' Startups to Watch: A Bootstrapped Succe

We have a bit of a different origin story. While many companies chase venture capital and valuations from day one, we focused on building a product people wanted to buy. This year, that path earned us a significant honor: STEPR has been named to Athletech News' prestigious "Startups to Watch" list for 2025-26.

This recognition by a leading industry publication isn't just a trophy for the shelf. It's a validation of our mission to bring elite, effective fitness into everyday spaces and a testament to the strength of our community first, product led approach. It signals that the industry is watching as we reinvent one of fitness's most foundational workouts.

Building Different: The Bootstrapped, Profitable Path

The "Startups to Watch" list celebrates brands with the potential to create lasting impacts on fitness and wellness. What sets STEPR apart is how we've achieved our potential. We grew not by spending investor money on marketing blitzes, but by building a superior product that generated real, organic demand.

More Than Recognition: A Track Record of Real World Success

Our place on this list is backed by tangible achievements that have reshaped the home and commercial fitness landscape:

Mainstream Retail Validation: STEPR machines are now available through major retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, Rogue Fitness, Scheels, Johnson Health & more bringing professional grade stair climbing to the broad consumer market.
A Thriving, Record-Setting Community: The STEPR community is the engine of our growth. Together, we've climbed over 430 million steps, celebrating every milestone from 20 million to a quarter billion as a collective achievement. (*steps at time of writing)
Innovation Beyond the Climber: Our engineering prowess extends to the Bionic Bike XL with patented VPR™ technology. This "Air Bike 2.0" features over 100 levels of adaptive resistance, proving our commitment to reinventing foundational fitness tools for all athletes .

What's Next: Climbing Higher Together

STEPR Being named a "Startup to Watch" is a milestone, not a finish line. It fuels our commitment to:

Continued Product Innovation: Expanding our ranges and integrating smart features that enhance, rather than complicate, the full STEPR workout experience.
Global Expansion: Making STEPR accessible to more athletes worldwide, building on our existing presence in the US, UK, Canada and Europe.
Deepening Community Impact: Creating more ways for our users to connect, compete, and celebrate their fitness journeys together.

This recognition from Athletech News reinforces a core belief: that the best way to build a lasting company is to build a great product, serve a passionate community and grow with purpose. We're not just climbing, we're making an impact, and we're inviting everyone who believes in a smarter, more authentic future of fitness to join us.

Be apart of the next big thing in fitness: Invest In STEPR Today

Looking for more training tips? Check out the STEPR BLOG for workout ideas, training programs, and athlete success stories.

Learn more about Athletech News and the full "Startups to Watch" list at athletechnews.com .

Or Click the Shop Now Button Below To Shop The Full STEPR Range

About STEPR: Company & Investment FAQs

Why was STEPR named an Athletech "Startup to Watch"?

Athletech recognized STEPR for revamping stair climbing a category that hadn't seen innovation in over 40 years. With growing lifetime revenue and products ranging from compact home models to commercial units, STEPR has become the leader in a virtually untouched "whitespace" within the $100B+ fitness market.

How is STEPR different from Peloton or Tonal?

Unlike many connected fitness startups that burn millions proving a concept, STEPR was bootstrapped vs. rasing tons of venture capital up front.

What traction has STEPR achieved?

In less than two years on the market, STEPR sees over 7,000 units, logged 430+ million community steps, and partnered with major retailers including Dick's Sporting Goods, Rogue Fitness, and Scheels.

Where can I learn more about investing in STEPR?

Visit invest.getstepr.com to review the full offering, financial details, and investment terms. Speak with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.