Conor O’Loughlin and Anthony Kelly, co-founders of Glofox
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What is it?
Glofox is a SAAS-based business management solution for gyms and fitness studios. It operates as a complete booking, payment and membership management platform for studios that operate group exercise or class-based fitness.
As part of the solution, each studio has the ability to brand its own mobile members’ app for their members to book and pay for services with ease, allowing them to manage their own fitness experience.
Glofox currently has in excess of 200 studios and gym clients spanning six countries, with current primary markets being the UK and US.
Who’s behind it?
Glofox was the brainchild of former professional rugby player-turned-entrepreneur Conor O’Loughlin, who operates as CEO of the company.
O’Loughlin had an eight year professional rugby career with Connacht rugby before retiring from a hip injury in 2011. Glofox co-founder and sales director Anthony Kelly was formerly a solicitor in Matheson prior to joining the Glofox team.
The extended team comprises 12 staff in technical engineering, sales, marketing and support roles, and is set to double in size over the next 18 months as Glofox extends its reach in the US.
How is it funded?
Glofox originally started as a consultancy-based business, gaining initial traction through bootstrapping the development of the product. Subsequently the business went on to secure HPSU funding from Enterprise Ireland in addition to private investment from seed fund company Growing Capital to further its growth.
Future plans?
On foot of the recent round of finance Glofox intends to expand its team, mainly in the areas of sales and marketing, as it increases its market share in the US.
It is forecasted that the expansion will generate an additional 10 to 15 jobs in the next two years.
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Business & Finance, in association with Comtrade, recognises Ireland’s most dynamic emerging businesses in ‘Ones to Watch’. Ireland is alive with a vibrant start-up scene and the entrepreneurs featured are shaping the country’s economic landscape.
