BHOUT

About BHOUT

BHOUT is a Portuguese fit-tech company merging the fitness and gaming industries through its AI-powered boxing ecosystem. Officially launched in August 2021 by co-founders Mauro Frota (CEO) and Pedro Pereira, the company began its research and development in 2019 with the goal of tackling high dropout rates in traditional fitness. Frota, with a background in sports science and exercise psychology, and Pereira, an architect, bootstrapped the initial development, culminating in the opening of their first BHOUT Boxing Club in Lisbon. The company's core offering is a multi-channel 'entertrainment' ecosystem comprised of the BHOUT Bag, a proprietary app, and physical fitness clubs. The BHOUT Bag is a smart punching bag that uses a combination of sensors, 3D computer vision, and machine learning to track performance metrics like punch power, accuracy, speed, and technique with over 97% accuracy. Its multi-layered body, which includes a water core and an outer layer made from sustainable cactus leaves, is designed to mimic the feel of sparring with a human partner. The system gamifies workouts by allowing users to compete, follow guided routines, and earn in-app rewards called 'Jab$' through the BHOUT App. BHOUT operates a hybrid business model, targeting both direct-to-consumer (B2C) sales of the smart bag and business-to-business (B2B) channels, including corporate offices, hotels, and a growing network of franchised fitness clubs. The club concept offers 45-minute HIIT sessions that blend boxing, strength training, and meditation, enhanced by synchronized music and lighting. The company has demonstrated significant traction, securing a –10 million seed funding round in late 2023 led by Lince Capital and Explorer Investments to fuel international expansion. BHOUT's technology has received notable industry recognition, including being named a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree and one of Time magazine's best inventions of 2023.