The independent home of the case method - and a charity. Make an impact and  donate

Product details

Product details
By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.
You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them.
Published by: Columbia CaseWorks, Columbia Business School
Originally published in: 2020
Version: September 24, 2020

Abstract

This case follows the experiences of Peloton Founder John Foley from concept creation in 2011 to large-scale success in 2020. Foley created his own playbook for a product whose category - 'connected fitness' - he created from the ground up. Foley faced, and overcame, product design, technological, manufacturing, and financing challenges before arriving at a marketable stationary cycling product that connected virtually to instructors. Soulcycle and Flywheel, established in-person cycling studios, both rejected Foley's proposal to partner with his new venture. Along the way, Foley was turned down by 400 VC's before landing his first institutional investor after almost three years on the money hunt. But Foley persevered. At the end of FY 2020, Peloton had revenues in excess of USD1.8 billion, earned USD376 million in operating cash flow, served more than one million subscribers, sold bikes and treadmills in more than 100 stores in four countries, and delivered 175 million fitness classes through its global virtual network.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Featured company

Peloton

About

Abstract

This case follows the experiences of Peloton Founder John Foley from concept creation in 2011 to large-scale success in 2020. Foley created his own playbook for a product whose category - 'connected fitness' - he created from the ground up. Foley faced, and overcame, product design, technological, manufacturing, and financing challenges before arriving at a marketable stationary cycling product that connected virtually to instructors. Soulcycle and Flywheel, established in-person cycling studios, both rejected Foley's proposal to partner with his new venture. Along the way, Foley was turned down by 400 VC's before landing his first institutional investor after almost three years on the money hunt. But Foley persevered. At the end of FY 2020, Peloton had revenues in excess of USD1.8 billion, earned USD376 million in operating cash flow, served more than one million subscribers, sold bikes and treadmills in more than 100 stores in four countries, and delivered 175 million fitness classes through its global virtual network.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Settings

Featured company

Peloton

Related