Investments

Aura Group Invests into Anytime Fitness Franchise Asia

Aura Funds Management (Aura) has announced that the private equity investment in Inspire Brands Asia (IBA), the master franchise owner of the Anytime Fitness brand across Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macau (collectively “Asia”).

This transaction is a significant milestone for Aura in Asia, especially in light of market conditions created by COVID-19. This also marks Aura’s first collaboration with Exacta Capital Partners (Exacta), the lead equity investor into IBA, and with RISA Partners, (RISA), senior lender to IBA.

The founders of IBA have a proven track record of building the Anytime Fitness brand across Asia, having sold over 350 gym franchises in under 6 years and is the region’s largest and fastest growing gym brand. Anytime Fitness currently boasts more than 250 locations with a total membership base of over 200,000 within Asia. In 2018/2019 alone, 182 gym franchises were awarded, and 139 new gyms opened. Despite gym closures due to COVID-19, IBA is well positioned to weather the current lockdowns across various markets and support its franchisees in accelerating growth once these are relaxed.

Luke Guanlao, Chief Executive Officer, IBA, said: “Aura’s and Exacta’s equity investment is a breakthrough as we embark on our expansion plans for Anytime Fitness in Asia. Whilst Anytime Fitness is already a market leader in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, the additional capabilities offered by Aura and Exacta in our partnership will accelerate our growth and assist us in capturing new markets, customers and opportunities across Asia.”

Charles Wong, Executive Director, Aura, said: “IBA has a clear and proven business model that delivers a distinctive, award-winning and affordable health and wellness offering via the Anytime Fitness brand. We are delighted to partner with Exacta to support IBA’s trailblazing founding team in further growing the business across Asia.”