Cadoo
SeedGet Fit, Get Paid
Fitness gaming platform that lets users bet on their own workout goals and win money from those who quit.
About
Cadoo is a fitness gaming platform that turns exercise into a financial challenge. Users stake money on fitness goals โ steps, running, cycling, pushups, squats โ and compete against others. Those who complete their challenges get refunded and earn a share of the stakes from those who didn't finish. The app uses computer vision for bodyweight exercise verification and integrates with Apple Health, Fitbit, Google Fit, Strava, and Garmin for activity tracking. Founded in 2016 by fintech entrepreneur Tim Parsa after the sudden death of his brother (a neurosurgeon at UCSF), Cadoo has grown to 70,000+ downloads with over $15M staked on the platform. The company also offers Cadoo for Teams (corporate wellness challenges) and Cadoo for Brands (sponsored fitness competitions). Over 95% of Cadoo players reportedly reach their fitness goals, demonstrating the power of financial accountability in behavior change.
DailyDropout Take
Cadoo taps into the behavioral economics insight that loss aversion is a stronger motivator than reward. By putting real money on the line, the app creates genuine accountability โ and the Sam Altman backing via Apollo Projects signals smart-money confidence in the fitness-meets-fintech niche.
Discovery signal: Early-stage fitness fintech with Sam Altman backing and Yale founder network
What Makes Them Unique
Combines financial stakes with computer vision verification for bodyweight exercises, creating accountability through real monetary risk rather than just gamification points.
70,000+
Downloads
$15M+
Money Staked
650+
App Store Reviews
95%+
Player Success Rate
10M+
Completed Bodyups
2M+
Miles Logged
Target Markets
Founders
Tim Parsa
Co-Founder & CEO
Fintech entrepreneur who founded Cadoo in 2016 after his brother's sudden death. Previously founded Uphold, Airtm, Air Protocol, and Slyk.
Colm Hayden
Former Co-Founder
Yale graduate and early co-founder of Cadoo. Previously involved in crypto ventures.
Daniel Avila
Co-Founder
Co-founder of Cadoo focused on fitness gaming and product development.
Funding History
Lead: Cloud Money Ventures
Lead: Apollo Projects
Investors
Firms
Individual Investors
CEO
Co-founder