Published May 31, 2023

20VC: The On Running Memo: From Swiss Mountains to NASDAQ IPO: The Story of Three Friends Who Built a Sports Giant

Uncover On Running's transformative journey from its Swiss origins to becoming a sportswear powerhouse, as co-founder David Alleman discusses strategic US expansion, innovative product development, and pivotal partnerships, including with Roger Federer, that propelled the brand to a NASDAQ IPO.

Episode Highlights

Topics covered

Episode Highlights

Inception

The inception of On Running was marked by a unique innovation in running shoe design, driven by and his co-founders. They experimented with garden hose pieces to create a shoe that combined cushioning with responsiveness, a breakthrough that changed running for them 1. This innovative spirit led them to test their shoes with athletes and retailers, eventually winning the ISPO Gold Award for sports innovation. recalls the early days as a challenging yet rewarding exploration phase, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and committing fully to their vision 2.

If you're coming out of Switzerland, you're coming out of one of the richest, safest places on the planet that sometimes can be an inhibitor, because then you're in such a safe place that you probably don't take risks anymore.

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Their journey from a rainy morning idea to a recognized sports brand highlights the power of innovation and perseverance.

Simplicity

On Running's success is also attributed to its ability to maintain simplicity while expanding product features. and his team spend significant time in the lab, ensuring that new features enhance rather than complicate their products 3. This approach led to innovations like the speed lacing system, which became a beloved feature for its simplicity and effectiveness. also reflects on the benefits of naivety, suggesting that not knowing the challenges ahead can sometimes be advantageous, allowing for bold, uninhibited innovation 4.

Simplicity creates amazing products.

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This philosophy of balancing complexity with simplicity has been crucial in On Running's journey to becoming a global sports brand.

Dexa/Harry Stebbings

20VC: The On Running Memo: From Swiss Mountains to NASDAQ IPO: The Story of Three Friends Who Built a Sports Giant

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Apple's Magic

On's Vision for the Future

Power of Collaboration

Dream Start, Hard Groundwork

Cleopatra and Space Travel

Organic Expansion

Unlocking Team Knowledge

A Unique Partnership

Embracing Exploration

Benefits of Naivety

Building a Brand

Launching Apparel

Expanding to the US

Episode Highlights

Strategic Expansion

Innovation and Development

Inception

Simplicity

Brand Building Journey

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20VC: The On Running Memo: From Swiss Mountains to NASDAQ IPO: The Story of Three Friends Who Built a Sports Giant

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Strategic ExpansionOn Running's strategic entry into the US market and innovative retail strategies have been crucial to its success. David Alleman shares insights into how these decisions helped establish the brand's presence and enhance customer experiences.

Strategic Expansion

Innovation and DevelopmentNext, David Alleman shares the innovative journey of On Running, from its inception with a unique shoe design to maintaining simplicity in product development. He highlights the importance of risk-taking and the benefits of naivety in fostering groundbreaking ideas.

Innovation and Development

Inception

Simplicity

Brand Building JourneyDavid Alleman, co-founder of On Running, shares the brand's journey from a grassroots initiative to a global sports giant. He discusses key partnerships, including with Roger Federer, and the strategic expansion into apparel.

Brand Building Journey

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