Huppa, an Amsterdam-based startup developing management software for gyms, CrossFit boxes and studios, has raised €1 million in a pre-seed round. The fresh capital saw support from a group of experienced entrepreneurs, including the founders of Sentia, Keylane, TicketSwap, Moneybird and Revue, as well as NL SportTech Ventures.
- Founded in 2023 by Sharief Mohamed and Gino Arendsz, Huppa grew out of the founders’ frustration with the software used at their own kickboxing gym and CrossFit box.
- The company targets the fast-professionalising group fitness market, from CrossFit and HYROX to martial arts, yoga and Pilates, where many businesses still rely on outdated tools, fragmented data and time-consuming administration.
- Huppa brings member management, class bookings, payments, financial insights and automation together in one platform. Members can book classes, manage their memberships, buy credits and bring a friend on their own, which frees up time for owners and coaches.
- The platform integrates with partners such as Mollie, Urban Sports Club and ClassPass. Huppa charges by the number of active customers, with full platform access and no separate modules or upgrade fees.
- The company is also developing AI-powered insights and automation. These are meant to show owners which memberships perform best, which classes could earn better returns and where new growth opportunities lie. Huppa’s ambition is to become a proactive “digital sparring partner” for sports entrepreneurs.
“Our success is directly tied to the success of the business owners we serve. When our customers grow, we grow with them,” said Gino Arendsz, co-founder of Huppa.
- The startup will use the new funds to develop its platform further and grow its team. Huppa will focus first on the Netherlands and Belgium, where it aims to serve at least 150 sports businesses by the end of 2027, before pursuing its broader European ambitions.
