Board meeting: Fresh funding for latest fitness sensation

A West firm behind the world’s first floating exercise mat - described as ‘this year’s thing’ by fitness experts - has attracted investment from Bristol Private Equity Club to help it cope with a surge in orders.

Aqua Physical has received £320,000 of funding from club members as its AquaBase exercise mat takes off in hotels and health clubs around the world.
Aqua Physical is the brainchild of Leila Francis Coleman who joined forces with Tom Whelan to develop and launch AquaBase in 2014.
More than 1,000 trained instructors teach FloatFit Classes worldwide, using the AquaBase board to exercise on water, typically swimming pools.
Leila Francis Coleman (Creator, Founder & Managing Director of AquaPhysical) said: “We are delighted that Bristol Private Equity Club has invested in AquaPhysical and are looking forward to working together to maintain a leading brand position and build presence in selected markets.
“In order to achieve this, we will be focusing the investment on attracting talented staff, building capability and pushing hard for the next few years’ growth.”
Jerry Barnes from Bristol Private Equity Club said: “Based in Exeter, Aqua Physical are themarket leaders and inventors of the world’s first fitness float. It has taken off very quickly online becoming something of an internet sensation - and hotels are already buying in to the concept.
“They provide fun, innovative products that use water to transform fitness routines. It is a business with an exciting innovative product that needs to grow quickly to take advantage of the current interest and that is where funding like ours can help.”
BPEC first became aware of Aqua Physical through their Finance Director Peter Jowitt, who comes from Bristol.
“We have put this investment in to help them cope with a surge in orders. Scaling up operations is one of the biggest problems facing new businesses. This funding will see them through the next 18 months as they catch up with the success of their product.”
This is the 12th deal Bristol Private Equity Club has signed, bringing their total investment to more than £2m.
The club was founded in May 2016 with just six investor/members and has grown primarily by supporting projects which need between £100,000 to £500,000 of equity funding, where  members can make a real difference and enjoy a return. This is the 12th deal concluded by BPEC resulting in investments of more than £2 million in less than two years.

Further details can be found at www.bristolprivateequityclub.com