News
WILD.AI Launch
The world of female sports and athletic training is changing rapidly, as the potential to unleash 50% of the population as a sporting force is realised. WILD.AI is at the sharp end of this movement; the app has been launched for Apple and Android plus a new web site where users can sign up. Beta testing is at an end, and the feedback from the +2,500 users has been great. The new Coaching piece and Teams will follow on after launch. The time for testing is coming to an end and now it is time to scale! We have every confidence in our founder and leader Helene Guillaume (talking about WILD.AI here in Le Salon) to create a global leading tech resource for all women interested in training and sport.
Proinsight - Business Lockdown? Never!
One of the outstanding aspects about Proinsight through the pandemic has been the outflow of relevant & postive communication from the exec team. While some competitors have shut up shop at this time, the team at Pro has kept busy by ensuring that the mystery shoppers are still cared for and matter (Shopper Bafta's at Christmas) and that clients are still a priority and that the Pro staff are engaged (training & socials). This means that anyone looking for mystery shopping insight when opening up is already contacting Pro for help and advice AND that the Pro team are ready to go on the B of Bang. This is the sort of leadership we love!
New Appointment for YourZone45
We are delighted to welcome a new member to the YZ45 senior team. James Cotton joins as Managing Director and brings with him a plethora of franchise and fitness experience. James was formerly one of the key players in the Anytime Fitness franchise, and helped that business scale from one or two units to over 150 across the UK. With a long time interest in health & fitness this is the perfect skill set for YourZone45. We remain ambitious to grow the network and despite the challenge of COVID -19 and the undoubted tough economic landscape there is opportunity out there. If you wish to attend a no obligation free webinar to find out more, please click here.
Proinsight on 'The Quickest Pivot in Business'
Our mystery shopper company, Proinsight, took COVID-19 lockdown as time to reset & strengthen the business with a new logo, web site and new Ways of Working put in place.
Proinsight MD, David Hopkins immediately saw there was an opportunity to help the company's biggest group of clients, the fitness sector, with an snap shot report on online fitness provision. The operators had to react quickly to the lockdown and the majority started providing online fitness classes for all their members mostly for no charge. How did they do? Please have a read of the report and find out - click here for a copy of The Quickest Pivot in Business
The Rise of Femtech
Our seed investment in Wild AI with entrepreneur Helene Guillaume was a start up that initially focused on the general fitech space. But as Helene refined her model and spoke with other entrepreneurs and investors, it became clear to her that the real opportunity was in the female data perspective. This feature article in Forbes Magazine, click to view, explains the pivot and the size of the opportunity in an under served market.
The product is in beta testing with feedback so far from the c. 700 testing the app very positive. Paula Radcliffe is an ambassador and there is a quality team backing Helene, we feel the outlook is very positive for this investment. Please have a look at the Wild AI web site by clicking here.
YourZone45 - Coming out of COVID-19
Our fitness franchise, YourZone45, currently has 6 studios in the network. All 6 shut down as instructed in March. Our strategy for easing of lockdown has been done under the banner of Refresh, Re-engage and Reach Out. The Refresh strand is the work on safety processes and hygiene protocols to preserve members wellbeing and then communicating this to members using video & bulletins. The Re-engage strand is the online workout delivery, newsletters & home challenges to boost relationships. Our Reach Out is aimed at getting member using the studio when allowed to open & attract prospects; current date is 4th July.