Women-focused Dubai VC firm Mindshift Capital bets on US fitness firm
Mindshift Capital, a Dubai-based venture capital firm that is run by women and invests in women-led companies, has backed US-headquartered FORTË, a live streaming-workout platform.
Mindshift didn’t share any details of its investment or whether there were any other co-investors along with it.
Founded by Lauren Foundos, in 2015, FORTË is a platform that provides live and on-demand boutique fitness classes. from top studios. Startups like FORTË have benefited in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has forced gyms across the world to shutter their physical spaces, and go virtual.
The platform counts several organizations across the world, including YMCA, UFC, NFL, Under Armour World Headquarters, Goodlife Fitness, The Edge and Heartcore, among its clients.
This the ninth investment for Mindshift Capital in its inaugural fund, whose investments span across the US, Middle East and Asia.
In April this year, Mindshift had backed US-based medical devices maker OtoNexus Medical Technologies Inc. It had participated in OtoNexus Medical’s Series C funding round, marking its eight investment from its maiden fund. Then, as now, the VC firm didn’t disclose the amount it invested or the total capital that OtoNexus raised.
Mindshift Capital is led by founding partner Heather Henyon and an all-women team of investment advisors. It says it applies a “gender lens” in an attempt to narrow the funding gap for women entrepreneurs.
The VC firm focuses on post-seed, early-stage companies in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Apart from OtoNexus, it has invested in Vivoo and NX Prenatal in the healthcare sector. It has also backed food businesses Shiok Meats and Munch:On, among others.
