Verlinvest and Family Trust Investor partnered with five European bouldering brands to create the International Bouldering Alliance, which the investors describe as the world’s largest bouldering platform by number of locations.
The new group brings together The Climbing Hangar in the U.K., Boulders in Denmark, and Urban Apes, Der Steinbock, and Café Kraft in Germany and Austria.
Together, the businesses operate 39 gyms across four countries.
The International Bouldering Alliance has more than 40,000 members and records more than 3.4 million visits annually.
Members will gain access to gyms across the network through a new IBA European Pass.
The group plans to expand through new gym openings and acquisitions of complementary operators, initially focusing on Europe.
IBA also plans to develop events, competitions, digital services, and partnerships across its markets.
The group intends to invest in digital infrastructure, marketing, data capabilities, and route-setting to improve the experience for both new and experienced climbers.
Verlinvest was already an investor in The Climbing Hangar and Boulders, while Family Trust Investor backed Urban Apes, Der Steinbock, and Café Kraft.
Verlinvest manages more than €2.5 billion in assets and invests across consumer, health, technology, and lifestyle businesses.
KEY QUOTES:
“Each of our brands has grown out of its own community, and that’s not changing. What changes is what we can do together: share what works, learn from each other, invest more in routesetting and in our people, and open new gyms so more people can discover bouldering.”
Ole Mørk and Malcolm Armstrong, Regional CEOs of The International Bouldering Alliance
“We strongly believe bouldering is still in the very early stages of its development and participation. Our joint ambition for The IBA is to champion its growth as an enabler and accelerator.”
Ben Black, Managing Director at Verlinvest
“Joining forces with The Climbing Hangar and Boulders is the natural next chapter of that journey. We are excited to partner with Verlinvest and three outstanding management teams to combine their experience, ideas, and passion, and to build a leading European bouldering platform that can help shape the future of the sport.”
Carsten Abdel-Hadi, Managing Partner at Family Trust Investor
