Current Portfolio
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WILD AI Ltd
WILD AI is a human performance platform streaming data from wearable tech and turning it into actionable insights using AI now concentrating on the female athlete. This is an end to end AI solution for race preparation; from choosing the race to adaptive training through deep reinforcement training, the WILD platform will improve performance.
For the first time women will have informed measurable self-improvement with a scientific approach and endless feedback cycle that is focused on them.
The founder and CEO is Helene Guillaime, a former quant but is also an experienced IronMan Triathlon competitor and ultra event athlete so she understands this demographic inside and out.
Why we invested?
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The Founder is talented, driven and ambitious
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The fitech space is growing at an exponential rate
Sector: Femtech
Date of Investment: July 2018
Investment Type: Convertible loan note Pre-qualifying
Sector: Fitness Franchise
Date of Investment: June 2018
Investment Type: Equity (EIS)
EFG Ltd t/aYourZone45
EFG Ltd is the Master Franchisor of the YourZone45 HIIT fitness franchise. YZ45 delivers a comprehensive, body-changing 45 minute workout in small group environments.
The opportunity to invest came through friend and trusted colleague, Jeremy Taylor, one of the founders of LA Fitness. With our combination of experience of the UK fitness market, launching clubs, network of suppliers and experience in site selection we felt we could start to scale the franchise fast. We are looking forward to welcoming many more franchisees.
Why we invested:
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Fitness Franchising is an exciting space with great growth potential
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A proven product with 4 units already operating and a further 3 franchises sold
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Expertise requirements were a good match up for our skill set
Sector: Health & Fitness B2C
Date of Investment: February 2019
Investment Type: Cash for shares swap
Digme formerly Tribeca Studios
Tribeca Studios was acquired by Digme Fitness early in 2019. Digme offers a diverse range of group exercise classes in an inclusive and community focused environment.
The management team at Digme is ambitious and currently has a portfolio of six sites in London. The acquisition was reported in Health Club Magazine.
The expansion plan in place means that we expect this equity play to grow in value over the next five years.
We are now sleeping partners so less work for us to do here and more time for the other investments.
Have a look at the web site www.digme.com
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Sector: Consumer insight B2B
Date of Investment: April 2014
Investment Type: Equity (EIS)
Proinsight Research Ltd
Proinsight Research Ltd is a consumer insight business, with a strong leisure footprint, that specialises in mystery shopping. Mhairi and Andy join the board as Executive Directors with a brief to work with founder and MD David Hopkins to increase the market share in leisure and push into new sectors.
Why we invested:
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Quality consumer experience is a clear differentiator in the competition for leisure spend therefore great growth prospects
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Our black book contacts meshed with the desired target market in leisure
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The early management team showed great potential
With the full support of the majority shareholder Jonathan Stemp (Chief Infrastructure Officer City Football Group), the company is set for rapid growth.
Prior Business Interests & Sold Investments
Businesses created, owned, operated and sold by Mhairi FitzPatrick and Andy Kay
Sports Direct buy 37 Degrees Olympia
Sports Direct emerged from a long list of buyers to complete a deal and purchase 37 Degrees Health and Fitness Olympia. The club owned and operated by Socius Investing and their investment partners, Albion Capital.
The deal was completed December 2015 and Sports Direct adds the Olympia club (latterly trading as The Printworks) to their extensive portfolio of health and fitness clubs. Read about the deal in the Guardian here: Sports Direct buy upmarket west London club.
Check out the trade press report on the Sports Direct purchase of 37 Health Club Management report on the deal.
Socius Investing Sells 37 Degrees Tower Bridge
In November 2014 Socius Investing sold their highly successful Tower Bridge Health Club to Encore Capital. Both Socius and their backers, Albion Capital, divested themselves in a 100% share sale to Encore, who also own The Reebok Club. Have a read about our exit from Tower Bridge Health Clubs Ltd.
As the founders of 37 Degrees we both felt this was a good 'home' for the club and the ambitions of Encore to build a London-based luxury health club chain fits with Tower Bridge's position as a trophy asset.
Click here to read the City AM report on the sale.
Click here to read Leisure Opportunities report on the sale.
Bladerunner buys ARK Leisure Management Ltd
Our first company, ARK Leisure Management Ltd, was a self-funded start up that ran health & fitness facilities and provided wellbeing programmes in the corporate market place.
Started in 1999 this company grew quickly, with the portfolio containing some world famous brands such as the BBC, Rolls-Royce plc, McDonalds Restaurants Ltd and British Airways. We exited the business via a trade sale in 2008 to Bladerunner Ltd which was subsequently acquired by the biggest operator in the market place, Nuffield Health.
Read about the deal here: http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/latest-news/94033