- Sportium is a leading operator of family fitness and sports centers in Mexico City with a unique offering, which has shown a sustained increase in user attendance, reaching more than 90% of pre-pandemic levels
- This is Northgate’s fifth investment from its second Growth Equity Fund in Mexico, expecting to benefit from the strong and sustained recovery in Mexico’s consumer and fitness sector
Mexico City and San Francisco, California, June 28, 2022 — Northgate Capital, the international private equity firm, today announced an investment in Sportium, a leading operator of fitness and family sports centers. Sportium operates 11 locations spread across Mexico City and its surrounding areas.
This transaction represents Northgate’s fifth investment from its second Growth Equity Fund in Mexico, which will allow Sportium to increase its client base by opening new locations, adapt current facilities to improve customer experience in the post-pandemic era, strengthen its value proposition through additional services, invest in technology to offer a customer-centric experience with digital features as a complement to the in-person training, and increase its brand awareness.
Founded in 2003, Sportium has evolved to become a leading chain in its target segment in Mexico City and the metropolitan area. The company offers a unique concept that combines traditional fitness equipment with a state-of-the-art range of services and activities suitable for all family members.
A recent study by the National Club Association in the U.S. highlights a change in priorities users are considering when joining a club or gym. Younger members value clubs that enhance family usage, have year-round recreation opportunities, and provide spaces where a sense of community is created – a concept well aligned with Sportium’s offering and philosophy.
Moreover, fitness and recreational centers are a fundamental part of promoting healthier lifestyles to reduce medical issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other conditions further aggravated by Covid-19. Now operating at 100% capacity, Sportium will further contribute to increasing a healthier culture in Mexico City.
According to the Mexican Gym and Clubs Association (AMEGYC), fitness and recreational centers in the country had already welcomed 40% new users during 2021. In this line, Sportium registered a 50% increase in users in May 2022 compared to the same month of previous year.
“We are very excited to partner with Sportium’s team, aiming to support the company in its next phase of growth, by making healthy lifestyle alternatives within reach of more families, in what we consider a highly underpenetrated sector in Mexico.” said Gabriel Mizrahi, Partner of Northgate Capital Mexico.
“We believe Sportium has the ideal value-proposition to capitalize on current market tailwinds and capture the substantial opportunity that exists for organic growth within the city. Our investment will allow the company to be in a much better position to consolidate as a leading player in the industry.” said Guillermo Carmona, Director of Northgate Capital Mexico.
“We are thrilled to welcome Northgate as our new partner, and confident that together we can improve member experience and seize growth opportunities, while strengthening our position as a leading operator of fitness and family recreation clubs. This partnership also represents an important milestone towards becoming a more institutionalized business.” said Enrique Vera, CEO and shareholder of Sportium.
About Sportium
Sportium is a leading operator of fitness and family sports centers. The company operates 11 locations within Mexico City and the metropolitan area. Sportium offers 40+ services and activities for all family members, such as weightlifting, cardio machines, yoga, swimming, spinning, soccer, squash, tennis, rock climbing, padel tennis, pilates, martial arts, activities and camps for kids, childcare services, personal training, as well as nutritional and spa services.
For more information, visit https://www.sportium.com.mx
About Northgate Capital
Northgate Capital manages approximately US$4.3 billion in venture capital and private equity globally. In Mexico, as part of its growth equity strategy, Northgate has raised two private equity funds and has made more than 14 investments, which are focused on growth equity in the mid-market segment.
For more information, visit https://northgate.com/northgate-mexico/
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