Netpulse, the only interactive media platform for fitness centers and active lifestyle consumers, announced today that it has secured $3.1 million in Series A funding led by Javelin Venture Partners with participation from DFJ Frontier. Netpulse will use the investment to continue the development of its interactive entertainment platform, which is specifically designed for integration into both fitness equipment and personal viewing screens (PVS) on cardiovascular machines. Rollout of the platform will begin in premier fitness centers later this year.
The ubiquity of entertainment options and the rising popularity of on-demand video and its accessibility from multiple devices have created a unique opportunity for Netpulse to transform fitness equipment into a personalized entertainment distribution medium using its patented custom content delivery system. With the Netpulse platform, fitness centers can offer their members access to live high-definition television, on-demand videos and music, iPod/ iPhone connectivity, personalized workout data, and connection to social media in a personalized user experience that is universally compatible with all exercise equipment.
"Netpulse is hitting the media trifecta," said Jed Katz, Managing Director of Javelin Venture Partners. "With Netpulse, the people exercising will have a much more enjoyable workout, the gyms benefit from lower attrition and by being able to run loyalty programs and the advertisers get a solid 30 minutes of attention from a highly targeted, affluent consumer. We're extremely excited to support a company that is poised to redefine the connection between exercise and entertainment forever.”
Providing a significant advancement on current fitness center entertainment options, Netpulse helps media companies and advertisers facilitate direct, one-to-one relationships with consumers at a time when they are receptive and actively looking to be entertained. Furthermore, the platform enables media companies and advertisers to reach consumers for an average of 30 minutes per interaction – an engagement length that is ten times longer than traditional out-of-home consumer environments.
“Our platform is unique in its ability to provide tangible benefits to media companies, advertisers, fitness equipment manufacturers, fitness centers and to the active fitness consumer alike,” said Bryan Arp, CEO of Netpulse. “We believe that our platform creates unique opportunities that will change the criteria consumers look for when choosing a fitness center. We’re thrilled to add the experience and expertise of our new investors whose support will help accelerate the development and rollout of the platform to meet the rapidly growing demand.”
Through a broadband connection and via an interactive touch-screen interface, consumers can personalize their entertainment and workout environment. In addition, members can access their entertainment and exercise tracking data via the Internet or at any fitness center featuring Netpulse-connected products. Netpulse has been working with leading fitness equipment manufacturers, media companies and advertisers and partnerships will be announced soon.
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