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After struggling to book a single dance class in New York City, Kadakia built ClassPass into a 30-country fitness marketplace connecting millions of users to 30,000-plus gyms and studios — and created an entirely new category of fitness technology before its 2021 Mindbody acquisition.
Payal Kadakia is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of ClassPass, the fitness marketplace platform that allows users to access thousands of gyms, studios, and wellness experiences through a single membership.
Kadakia, a trained dancer, founded ClassPass in 2013 after struggling to find and book fitness classes in New York City. The platform grew rapidly, serving millions of users across 30 countries and partnering with over 30,000 fitness studios and gyms worldwide. ClassPass was acquired by Mindbody in 2021. Kadakia is also the bestselling author of LifePass, a book about designing an intentional life aligned with one's purpose. She has been recognized by Forbes' 30 Under 30 and named to Inc.'s Female Founders 100. Her Indian American heritage and classical dance background have deeply influenced her entrepreneurial philosophy, emphasizing creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose. Her creation of an entirely new category in fitness technology-the class discovery and booking marketplace-demonstrates innovative thinking that the Powered 500 Award celebrates.
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