Clearwater has advised Climbing District, one of France’s leading networks of urban climbing gyms, on securing €10m in funding from Pléiade Venture, a French venture capital company backed by entrepreneurs, along with its historical investors and 123 Investment Managers. This new round of funding follows on from a Series A of €5m funding raised in 2021, aimed at accelerating its gym openings in the Ile-de-France region.
Founded in 2019, Climbing District stands out with its hybrid model, combining urban climbing offerings for all with coworking spaces and informal exchanges between climbers, friends, and family in unique and well-designed locations. This unique concept serves as a melting pot for various communities at the intersection of sporting activities, including climbing, yoga, and pilates, as well as cultural activities. Additionally, it provides local services for hobbies or work.
The network now comprises five climbing gyms in various emblematic districts of the capital, including Bastille, Batignolles, Buttes-Chaumont - Canal Saint-Martin, Pont de Neuilly, and Saint-Lazare. This positioning allows Climbing District not only to be recognised as a leader in urban climbing in Paris but also as a precursor within the urban sports ecosystem.
Currently, the company is led by its two founders, Henri d'Anterroches, Chairman, and Antoine Paulhac, Managing Director, who bring their respective experiences as entrepreneurs and investors to the development of the brand and its network. Thanks to their complementary expertise, the tandem combines a robust strategic and operational vision. This dual leadership is supported by a close-knit team overseeing key aspects of the company's operations, including financial management, operational management, technical management, and climbing school management. In their wake, over 80 employees work in the field, managing the network's various gyms and welcoming members daily.
With its team fully committed to the project, Climbing District aims to sustain its organic growth in the Paris market in the coming months by opening new gyms within the city and the inner suburbs. The company is also looking to expand internationally by establishing gyms in other European markets, where the climbing market is less structured than in France. This expansion is being pursued despite the significant growth potential offered by the popularity of this sport, particularly in anticipation of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
