Trail Tribe by Ultraeum: an app to connect, protect, and empower trail users while preserving trail culture
For Charles Trimmier, trail running is more than a sport — it’s a lifeline. "The discipline itself and the people it connected me to pulled me out of chasms I didn’t think I could climb out of," he says. With a deep understanding of the sport’s potential to transform lives, Charles founded Ultraeum, Inc., a company dedicated to preserving and enhancing the essence of trail culture through innovation. At the heart of this mission is Trail Tribe, a groundbreaking app designed to connect, protect, and empower trail users.
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Charles’s path to Ultraeum wasn’t straightforward. Starting as a corporate lawyer, he pivoted into M&A advisory during his Silicon Valley years but realized his passion lay in creating, not selling. After years of corporate life, Charles redirected his focus toward giving back to the trail community that had shaped his life.
In October 2024, Charles attended the US Trail Running Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, where critical gaps in the trail ecosystem became glaringly apparent.
"The buzz was all about the local scene being the backbone of the sport," he recalls. "But almost no one was there representing local trail clubs — the ones who grind out miles, pick up trash, and rebuild trails after storms."
This revelation fueled his commitment to building Trail Tribe.
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Trail running, while transformative, is not without its challenges. It’s a sport marked by risks, from physical safety to logistical difficulties. Issues such as trust among users, coordination for group runs, and even parking at trailheads frequently emerge. For female runners, safety concerns are compounded by fears not of terrain, but of people. Loneliness, too, is a pervasive issue, with many trail runners describing the sport as inherently solitary.
Charles saw an opportunity to address these challenges head-on. "Trail running needs solutions," he says. "What I’ve realized is that trail users — runners, hikers, bikers, equestrians — are all out there enjoying the same spaces. What we need is a better way to work together."
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Trail Tribe is Ultraeum’s answer to the problems plaguing trail culture. The app connects trail runners, clubs, vendors, and trail managers into one collaborative ecosystem. Key features include:
This tailored approach addresses gaps that existing platforms like AllTrails, Strava, and Meetup overlook. "Trail Tribe isn’t just another platform," Charles emphasizes. "It’s the only one built specifically for the trail community."
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Trail Tribe’s development has been anything but passive. Charles and his team have spent 2024 immersed in the trail community, gathering feedback from race directors, club leaders, vendors, and trail users. "We’ve hit the dirt," he says. "Validation isn’t a one-and-done checkbox. Trail culture evolves, and so will we."
By keeping customer engagement central to their process, Ultraeum ensures every feature is shaped by real-world input. "If it doesn’t solve their problems or make their lives easier, it doesn’t make the cut," Charles says.
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Beyond solving logistical challenges, Trail Tribe is a defense against corporate homogenization. "Trail running is under siege," Charles says. "Corporate giants are steamrolling the local scene, slapping logos on everything, and draining the soul from the sport. Trail Tribe is the rebellion, keeping trail running raw, local, and untamed."
This mission extends to preserving the community’s vibrancy for future generations. "The outdoors isn’t just a place; it’s a community," Charles explains. "And it’s time we started acting like one."
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Trail running is part of a booming industry, with the global trail running shoes market projected to exceed $12 billion by 2030. However, consolidation in trail events and outdoor retail poses risks to grassroots authenticity. Ultraeum aims to empower local trail communities to thrive amidst these changes, giving them the tools to maintain their unique culture.
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For Ultraeum, success isn’t measured in downloads or dollars — it’s in the dirt. "It’s when trail runners find safe carpools, clubs thrive, vendors connect with real communities, and trail managers feel supported," Charles says. "If we’re making the trail world better for the people who live it, that’s success."‍
Ultraeum is bootstrapping its growth, ensuring every dollar goes toward meaningful impact. As Charles builds his team, he’s focused on finding people who share his passion for trails and commitment to preserving their culture.
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With Trail Tribe poised to launch soon, Ultraeum is on a mission to unite all trail users into one powerful platform. "We’re not just building an app," Charles says. "We’re creating the ultimate network to preserve, enhance, and revolutionize trail culture for generations to come."
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