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.
About Netpulse
Netpulse provides an interactive media platform for fitness centers and
active lifestyle consumers. The Netpulse platform enables a customizable
entertainment experience that offers live HDTV, on-demand video and
music, iPod/iPhone connectivity, personalized workout data and more.
Netpulse also allows media companies and advertisers to have direct
one-to-one access to a highly engaged audience that is often difficult
to reach with traditional media.
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, Netpulse has over a decade of
experience in health club entertainment. The company was co-founded by
Tom Proulx, the Co-Founder of Intuit and author of Quicken®.
Its investors include Javelin Venture Partners and DFJ Frontier. For
more information, please visit www.netpulse.com.
About Javelin Venture Partners
Javelin Venture Partners is an early stage venture capital firm
specializing in technology based start-ups that leverage key innovations
to create scalable, high-growth companies. The firm's investment
professionals are proven new technology entrepreneurs with the ability
to identify exceptional businesses and management teams, and help them
achieve great success. Based in San Francisco, CA, Javelin Venture
Partners operates with the culture of a start-up and with an emphasis on
being a true partner to entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.javelinvp.com.
About DFJ Frontier
DFJ Frontier has offices in Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento and Santa
Barbara and invests in seed and early-stage technology on the West
Coast. DFJ Frontier is part of the DFJ Network, the most active venture
capital organization on the planet. With offices in more than 30 cities
worldwide, the DFJ Network has more than $6 billion under management to
fund extraordinary entrepreneurs. For more information, please visit: www.dfjfrontier.com.