Connected rowing machine developer Aviron has raised $18.5 million in a Series A funding round that will allow it to double its workforce over the next 12 months.
The round was led by Stripes, which is also an investor in Swiss running brand On, and included Global Founders Capital, Formic Ventures and 24-Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov.
In a statement, Andy Hoang, founder and CEO, said, “Aviron is a gaming-led, smart rowing machine for people like us who have busy lives and limited time, yet recognize the physical, mental, and emotional importance that comes with fitness. Aviron combines high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that tend to be short, challenging, and include the dual benefits of burning calories while building muscle with game-based content and psychology, making workouts fun and addictive.”
Hoang said the Toronto-based firm plans to double in size over the next year with an emphasis on hiring engineers and software developers to increase product development and expand its library of entertainment offerings. Aviron plans to expand its online presence in the U.S., enter the retail market and increase its inventory investment to guard against supply chain issues. New content and feature releases are in the works, including the addition of streaming entertainment platforms coming this quarter.
Hoang also announced it hired Amy Curry-Staschke as chief operating officer, shown right. Curry-Staschke was most recently senior director, product management at Nike. Her experience also includes positions at Lululemon Athletica and Burton Snowboards.
Photo courtesy Amy Curry-Staschke
