One of the most popular fitness apps in the country was created in Boston, and many locals, including some who use RunKeeper, have no idea.
That's the problem Tom O'Keefe is trying to solve with DownloadBoston, an effort to increase awareness of Boston-made apps.
"We should know and be supporting our local startups," O'Keefe said. "The vast majority of the population here can't name one or two startups that are based here in Boston."
Boston has gained a reputation as a hotbed for biotech, robotics and enterprise, but consumer companies have had trouble in the past, a stigma that is slowly fading with the help of the upcoming IPO of Care.com, a Waltham company.
"It is not only possible, but advantageous to do consumer Internet companies here in Boston," said Andy Palmer, an investor and entrepreneur. "The more strong, independent but modern companies we have, the easier it is for young people to lean into startups."
In addition to eating and shopping local, people should download local, O'Keefe said.
"There's something for everything," O'Keefe said. "It's just trying to build awareness."
Big name apps like RunKeeper and Springpad, which are routinely included in "best of" lists for fitness, are both from Boston, along with more than a dozen other apps whose Boston roots have flown under the radar.
Some apps, like alcohol delivery app Drizly and parking ticket payment app TicketZen are focused on Boston, but others appeal to a more general audience.
Nick Rellas, co-founder of Drizly, said Boston doesn't get the credit it deserves for the great apps created here.
"Boston has been an awesome city to launch in," Rellas said. "I think it's great, and we're excited to be a part of it."
Still, it can be hard to get the attention a budding app needs, he said.
"One of the hardest things is to get your foot in the door," Rellas said.
O'Keefe and DownloadBoston also plan on some behind-the-scenes advocacy and lobbying, to the media and legal, PR and other firms that can be helpful to startups. He is also looking at lobbying bigger companies to take on partnerships with small startups that would be helpful to both parties.
Sarah Hodges, co-founder of startup educator Intelligent.ly and former director of marketing at RunKeeper, said DownloadBoston is something that has been missing.
"We just have so many really fantastic services in Boston," Hodges said. "There's never been a really good way to aggregate them and put them in one place."
DownloadBoston could also help build the start-up community, particularly around consumer mobile start-ups, Hodges said.
"These companies have a lot that they can learn from each other," Hodges said.
"It does bring them together and put them in touch and maybe form those ties and learn from each other."
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