GymNation Launches AED 1M Fund for Wellness Startups

GymNation has launched the GymNation Foundation, which includes an AED 1 million investment fund for early-stage health, fitness, wellness and technology businesses. The fund, called The First Rep, covers startups in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Thailand.

Selected startups will receive direct investment from the AED 1 million pool, business development support, and access to GymNation’s network of more than 200,000 members to test and scale their products and services.

Applications are open until February 2027. Founders at any stage can apply, from initial concepts and prototypes to businesses already scaling. Shortlisted applicants will pitch directly to GymNation’s leadership later in 2027.

GymNation opened its first club in 2018.

The First Rep targets fitness, recovery, nutrition, mental wellbeing, sports technology, wearables and digital health.

The Foundation also runs a Community Support program for charities and grassroots organisations, and an Athlete Program offering renewable 12-month support packages to aspiring athletes facing financial barriers.

”There are founders across this region with genuinely good ideas about health and fitness who will never get in front of an investor, because they don’t have the network,” said Loren Holland, Founder and CEO of GymNation.

”The First Rep is us opening the door. Pitch us directly, and if it’s good, we’ll write the cheque, roll our sleeves up, and put it in front of over 200,000 members who’ll tell you the truth about it.”