RunSignup

RunSignup. It is a technology company providing a comprehensive platform for endurance and community event management, primarily serving the road running, triathlon, and charitable fundraising sectors in the United States. Founded in 2010, the company integrates tools for online registration, race timing, participant fundraising, and membership management into a single ecosystem. Its model emphasizes a flexible fee structure and a significant commitment to the nonprofit organization community through its GiveSignup philanthropy platform.

Overview

RunSignup operates as a key software-as-a-service provider within the endurance sports industry, enabling race directors and nonprofit organization leaders to manage complex events from promotion to results. The platform is designed to handle all aspects of an event lifecycle, including customizable registration pages, bib number assignment, secure payment processing via Stripe, and post-event analytics. A distinguishing aspect of its operation is its deep integration with the timing industry, partnering with companies like RaceDay Scoring and supporting technologies such as IPICO RFID and Barcode systems. The company is headquartered in Moorestown, New Jersey, and its tools are utilized by thousands of events annually, including notable races like the Cooper River Bridge Run and the Bolder Boulder.

Features

The platform's core features encompass a robust suite for event management. Its registration system allows for intricate configurations, including team registration, lottery management, and deferred entry options, often required by large marathon events. The integrated RaceDay app provides live race timing and results posting, compatible with hardware from major timing partners. For fundraising, the GiveSignup platform enables peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, donation processing, and text-to-give functionality, heavily used by chapters of the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Additional utilities include a membership management system for running clubs like the New York Road Runners, email marketing tools, and a mobile app for participants.

History

The company was founded in 2010 by Bob Bickel and Jenny Bickel, who leveraged Bob's background in computer science and prior experience with the Comcast Trial Tracker platform. Initial development focused on solving registration and scoring challenges for local 5K run events in New Jersey. A significant early milestone was the 2012 launch of its integrated timing solution, which began to attract larger event clients. The 2017 introduction of GiveSignup marked a strategic expansion into the broader philanthropy software market. The company has grown organically without venture capital funding, a point emphasized in its communications. It has also been an active participant and sponsor within the industry, attending conventions hosted by the Running Industry Association and the Council of Nonprofits.

Business model

RunSignup employs a tiered, percentage-based pricing model rather than charging fixed SaaS subscription fees, which is atypical in the software industry. Event organizers pay a small percentage of each registration fee, with the rate decreasing as event volume increases, and there are no upfront costs. This aligns the company's success directly with the success of its clients' events. For its GiveSignup philanthropy services, the company offers one of the lowest processing fee structures in the donation software market, often promoting "free" fundraising pages for 501(c)(3) organizations. Revenue is also supplemented through optional premium features and partnerships with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.

Market position and competitors

Within the North American endurance event market, RunSignup is considered a major player, often competing directly with larger platforms like Active Network (owned by Global Payments) and Race Roster, as well as specialized timing companies like ChronoTrack. Its integrated timing and registration approach provides a key differentiator. In the fundraising software segment, through GiveSignup, it competes with giants like Classy, Funraise, and DonorDrive. The company's market position is bolstered by its strong reputation for customer service and its advocacy for the nonprofit sector, as noted in reports from Nonprofit Tech for Good. Its commitment to serving both small local races and large-scale events like the Philadelphia Marathon demonstrates its broad market reach.

Category:American companies established in 2010 Category:Event management software companies Category:Companies based in Burlington County, New Jersey