Tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams has invested in the walking game. WeWard, the app that rewards over 20 million users for every step they take, has announced Williams as both an investor and ambassador.
The World Health Organization reports that 31% of adults and 80% of adolescents fall short of recommended physical activity levels. WeWard’s reveals that many Americans walk only about half of the daily steps they should, ranking among the lowest in walking activity compared to other developed nations.
In a 50-second video campaign, Venus Williams was seen engaging with the WeWard app—tracking her steps, and celebrating a milestone during a tennis match.
“A large part of staying well and active is simply by moving your body whichever way you can,” Williams said. “With WeWard, walking becomes a fun and rewarding experience, and I’m excited to help inspire people to take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle.”
This partnership is also about giving back; WeWard has pledged an initial donation of $25,000 to CARE, the charity of Williams’s choice, which focuses on alleviating global poverty through improved health, education, and economic opportunities for women and communities. WeWard will also host a month-long “Venus Williams Championship” within the app. Users’ collective steps can unlock increasing donation amounts, potentially culminating in a total donation of $40,000.
Founded in 2019 by Yves Benchimol, WeWard gamifies the walking experience. Users can track their daily steps and redeem rewards ranging from cash deposits and retail gifts to charitable donations. With strategic partnerships with over 1,500 major brands—including names like Amazon, Adidas, and Nike—the app touts an increase of nearly 25% increase in daily walking activity among its global user base. The recent expansion into 20 new countries and achieving over 1 million downloads in the U.S. signal a growing movement toward healthier lifestyles through simple, accessible activity.
“We couldn’t have found a better partner to help us inspire more people to walk,” Benchimol said. “Venus has been a huge inspiration throughout her multifaceted career, and her energy and advocacy perfectly align with our mission.”
