ProSiebenSat1 acquires 15 percent of Urban Sports Club

In a current financing round, investors are investing a total of 80 million euros in the Berlin start-up. The ProSiebenSat1 Group is investing in Urban Sports Club with its investment arm Sevengrowth, acquiring a 15 percent stake in the company.

As announced by ProSiebenSat1, the associated investment arm Sevengrowth is investing in the sports and fitness platform from Berlin. A total of 15 percent of Urban Sports Club will go to Sevengrowth in return for a mixture of capital and advertising in the Group's programs. In addition to Sevengrowth, London-based VC Claret Capital Partners and existing investors Rocket Internet, RTP Global and HV Capital are also involved in the 80 million euro financing round.

"With SevenGrowth, we have found the perfect partner to use the reach of media - especially TV - to inspire even more people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle," says Urban Sports Club CEO Moritz Kreppel. He founded the platform together with Benjamin Roth in 2012 and Urban Sports Club is now available in 80 cities in Europe. It offers sports and fitness activities with its local partners. Customers in Germany can also use the app in Spain and go to the yoga teacher around the corner.

"It is a very exciting moment to invest in Urban Sports Club. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the global trend towards more fitness and wellbeing and the demand for sports offerings is correspondingly high," says Friedrich Thoma from Prosiebensat1 about the investment. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Urban Sports Club also had to contend with a slump in sales, but then built up hybrid and digital sports facilities, which it now intends to maintain.

Urban Sports Club is Sevengrowth's first investment, with a focus on established companies. In addition to Sevengrowth, the Group also has the investment arm Sevenventures for growth companies and the early-stage investor Sevenaccelerator.