Amsterdam's Huppa Raises €1M to Revolutionize Gym Software

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-19

You know that feeling when you're running a gym and you're buried in paperwork instead of coaching? That's exactly what Huppa is trying to fix. The Amsterdam-based startup just raised €1 million (about $1.1 million) in pre-Seed funding to build an all-in-one operating system for class-based gyms and studios. ### The Problem: Outdated Software Is Holding Gyms Back Many gyms, CrossFit boxes, and studios still rely on software that feels like it's from the Stone Age. Administration eats up way too much time, data is scattered everywhere, and opportunities to grow revenue slip through the cracks. Huppa's founders, Sharief Mohamed and Gino Arendsz, experienced this firsthand at their own kickboxing gym and CrossFit box. They were frustrated with the clunky software and decided to do something about it. So in 2024, Huppa was born with a simple mission: give sports entrepreneurs the tools they actually deserve. ### What Huppa Does The Huppa Platform is the heart of the product. It's designed for gyms, CrossFit boxes, martial arts studios, yoga and Pilates spaces—anywhere group fitness happens. It brings together all the operational and financial bits into one place: member management, class scheduling, payments, financial reporting, and automation. No more juggling five different systems. But it's not just about keeping things tidy. Huppa turns that data into actionable insights. You get smart scheduling tools that let you plan across multiple locations, a KPI dashboard that tracks revenue, VAT, membership metrics, and role-based access controls for coaches, managers, and admin staff. And here's a nice touch: pricing is transparent—you pay based on the number of active customers. No surprise fees for extra modules or upgrades. > "Many gyms, CrossFit boxes, and studios still rely on outdated software that no longer meets their needs. Administration takes up too much time, data is fragmented, and opportunities to grow revenue go unnoticed." – Huppa ### The Vision: AI-Powered Insights Right now, Huppa is focused on streamlining administration, but the team has bigger plans. They want to deploy AI-powered insights and automation to create what they call "a proactive digital sparring partner." Imagine a tool that doesn't just show you data but helps you act on it. Which memberships are performing best? Which classes could bring in more revenue? Where are the growth opportunities? Huppa wants to answer those questions for you. ### Who's Behind the €1M Round The investment was led by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, including the founders of Dutch tech companies Sentia, Keylane, TicketSwap, Moneybird, and Revue. NL SportTech Ventures, an early-stage VC firm that backs Dutch sports technology founders, also participated. That's a strong vote of confidence from people who know the startup world. ### What's Next for Huppa? With the fresh capital, Huppa plans to continue developing its platform and expand the team. The immediate focus is on the Netherlands and Belgium, where they aim to serve at least 150 sports businesses by the end of 2027. After that, they'll set their sights on broader European ambitions. The group-based fitness market is growing fast and getting more complex. Operators have to manage memberships, multiple locations, individual product sales, and third-party integrations like Urban Sports Club and ClassPass. By automating repetitive tasks, Huppa says sports entrepreneurs can spend more time with their community while members get more autonomy over their own experience. So if you're a gym owner tired of drowning in admin work, Huppa might just be the lifeline you've been waiting for. And with this new funding, they're just getting started.