New name, new luck: MySportclub is now rebranded as FITrate. With new cities, new features, and a wider range of sports options, the two founders, Vahid and Jörg, aim to compete in the fiercely competitive fitness market. In the future, the traditional sports offerings will be expanded to include topics such as nutrition, stress reduction, and hiking. The magic formula for this venture: regionality.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
We are Vahid (32, Master's in Business Administration) and Jörg (37, Business Information Systems) – the founders of FITrate. We met a year ago through a mutual friend and immediately discussed the idea for FITrate. The chemistry was right from the start, and we shared the same ideas about how to build a startup. Naturally, the mix of a business graduate and an IT specialist was a huge advantage – so we founded the company together.
At FITrate, members can experience over 35 sports with more than 200 partners in Munich, Nuremberg, and Augsburg with just one membership. From CrossFit and climbing to swimming and skiing, to wellness and yoga. No matter where they are—near work, on their doorstep, or at a friend's house around the corner. And all of this with no contract term, meaning they can pause or cancel at any time.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
That's true, especially in the USA, the concept has long been part of everyday sports. In Germany, however, there is still a lot of development work to be done. From the very beginning, it was very important to us to place great emphasis on regionality and proximity to our members and partners. This is how we were able to convince local partners such as the M-Bäder (M-Baths) and even ski resorts of the idea and win them over as partners. We also offer sports such as soccer, basketball, beach volleyball, and our own running groups. Our members therefore regularly play against the FITrate team and can contact us at any time by sending an email to schlagdasfitrateteam@fitrate.de challenge. When you call or email, you'll be connected to the team immediately, without having to wait in annoying hotline queues or receiving automated standard emails.
We're convinced that this proximity is the key reason why we've been able to offer our members the largest range of sports in Bavaria in such a short time. And, of course, we're also a little proud...
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
This certainly took some initial convincing to our partners. Because at the beginning, we had very little to show for ourselves: no members, no employees, and not even a website. So we met with each of our partners in person and tried to impress them with the most important argument: our idea. Since then, great partnerships have developed from this, and we, and especially our partners, often smile when we think back to those initial discussions with teasers and notes.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Of course, the exact membership numbers are a trade secret, but we are very pleased with FITrate's development so far. Our membership is currently growing by approximately 151,000 members per month. In addition to the Munich sports market, we see great potential in our two new cities, Nuremberg and Augsburg. We started there just a few weeks ago and will continuously expand our offerings. At the same time, we want to continue expanding and are already looking for additional cities.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is a dream! Our team has been practically everywhere in the world, but nowhere else does everything come together like in Munich. The quality of life, leisure opportunities, and personal freedom are simply unique.
But the startup scene is also becoming more and more important here, and we are experiencing it practically first hand. Since April, we have been one of the lab teams that LMU Entrepreneurship Center We exchange ideas daily with other startups, alumni, and investors, receive weekly applications from startup enthusiasts, and experience firsthand how rapidly the startup scene in Munich is currently growing.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
While we have plenty of confidence in our team, becoming the next unicorn was never our goal. Following the proof of concept and the fantastic response from our members, we want to continue growing and consistently implement our ideas. We're planning many more features, especially in expanding the FITrate community and our sports offerings.
7. And last but not least: grilled fish or pork knuckle?
Definitely fish on a stick!
