The "99 Virtual Race" Platform Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle Through Collective Sports Activities

Indonesia is the latest country to be highlighted as part of Geography of Wellness. According to GWI data, Indonesia's fitness economy grew from $35 billion in 2017 to $36,4 billion in 2020. Indonesia ranks 19th out of 218 countries measured worldwide and 7th out of 46 in the Asia-Pacific region.

In Indonesia, the platforms are intensifying wellness or a healthy lifestyle has been found, such as Doogether which focuses on fitness facilities, Tape made Telkomsel, and Aigis which provides a feature-packed B2B insurtech platform wellness 

Another platform that also offers a healthy lifestyle is 99 Virtual Race (99VR). This platform was founded since May 2017 by three people founder who like running, namely Stevie Go, David Aryadi, and Stanley Adrian. Had tried the Event Organizer (EO) for running activities, but the results were not worth it after considering many things. Finally, they found an application platform builder who can channel his vision through virtual run.

In February 2017, they started the forerunner of 99VR by establishing CV Samala Digital Solution. 99VR is built online bootstrapping, each founder The initial investment is IDR 3,5 million per person with a total of IDR 10,5 million used to purchase access appbuilder and maximize all features.

Co-Founder and CEO of 99VR Stevie Go revealed that in the early days of product development, operational activities were carried out by the three Founders with 1 admin and only 1 person from the IT team from the application side. builder. "Tturning point happened when we met with the Founder and CEO of COMPRO who was interested in joining and support from the tech team side," he said

The founders agreed to develop 99VR into a PT Samala Sehat Bahagia from the end of 2018 until now with a total team of 2023 people by March 13.

As of December 2022, 99VR has reached 163 thousand downloader, finisher in 25 countries, as well as 214 Events of which more than 70% is carried out with clients from various industries, including Nutrifood Indonesia, Bank Indonesia, BCA, Pertamina, University of Indonesia, Uniqlo, and Harris Hotel Group.

In August 2017, 99VR managed to generate its first 100 million in 3 months. During one year of operation, the company pocketed total revenue of more than IDR 1 billion. In 2021, 99VR claims to have earned total revenue amounting to Rp. 7,8 billion.

99VR App

In an interview with DailySocial, Stevie sees that the technology industry in general still has the potential to develop considering that currently many people feel how technology makes things easier in our daily activities.

99VR utilizes technology to enhance the user experience, both since flow registration to payment. The use of AI is said to help the process of verifying participant data, meanwhile machine learning used to avoid potential fraud.

In the 99VR application, participants can register event which are desired. When the period starts, participants can start running and Submit for the proposed distance. After finished race, medals will be sent to each participant's address. Not only that, 99VR also offers application creation and design solutions for companies or MSMEs so they have the tools to sell.

The company specifically targets the millennial and Gen X generations who are starting to realize the importance of health, but don't know where to start because they have no motivation. Currently, 99VR users consist of 70% men and 30% women spread across all provinces of Indonesia and 25 countries in the world.

"Variably event and challenges which is presented by 99VR, they become motivated and dare to start sports and join event run," said Stevie to DailySocial.

Monetization and partnerships

For monetization, 99VR takes fee on B2B services and participant registration as well membership for B2C. Of all the activities organized by 99VR, currently there are more than 220, around 30% are event independent with an average of 4-5 (total B2B and B2C) event new every month. 99VR makes savings and efficiency from the side Opex and focus on the parts/divisions that have been providing profit great for the company.

Stevie admitted that the toughest challenge was entering year 6 where they had to do a little pivot related to changes in user habits that will focus more on B2B and O2O from the B2C side. In the future, 99VR will encourage the mission of sports as a healthy lifestyle that can be done from anywhere and at any time.

"That's why we are currently looking for it strategic partners to be able to develop our other products. "Our target is to reach one million users by having new divisions or business units to strengthen this ecosystem," said Stevie.

Stevie also revealed that the company is currently raising funds. "Currently we plan to open up opportunities to collaborate strategic partners with the aim of developing 99VR products so that our plans for 2023 can be realized more quickly to expand or add revenue streams new," he said.