Verlinvest strengthens Global Climbing Platform, acquiring majority stake in Boulders, Denmark’s largest Climbing Gym Operator
- This partnership expands Verlinvest’s Climbing platform, alongside The Climbing Hangar in the UK, to accelerate the growth of the sport globally.
BRUSSELS, Belgium, September 15, 2025 — Verlinvest, a global, family-backed, consumer-focused evergreen investment firm, has acquired a majority stake in Boulders, Denmark’s largest chain of bouldering gyms. The transaction is a significant development for Verlinvest’s Climbing Platform, following its 2024 investment in UK-based The Climbing Hangar, taking the combined business to 21 sites. The acquisition builds on Verlinvest’s ambition to build a high quality, geographically diversified reference brand for the sport that can broaden participation globally, whilst developing multiple revenue streams, beyond a traditional gym business.
Founded in 2009 in Copenhagen, Boulders welcomes over 60,000 visitors each month across 10 sites. Under the leadership of Ole Mørk and Martin Videbæk Petersen, the company has made climbing accessible to a broad audience, through state-of-the-art facilities, sustainability-led design, cafés, and a calendar of events that nurture its community. Its success is underpinned by an emphasis on quality, with routes refreshed weekly by one of Denmark’s top route-setting teams to keep the experience dynamic and engaging.
With Verlinvest’s backing, Boulders will accelerate its expansion across the Nordics and Germany, pursue selective acquisitions, and continue developing its community-focused offering. Ben Black and Olivia Gautier of Verlinvest will join Boulders’ Board.
Ole Mørk, Group CEO at Boulders said, “Over the past years we have built the leading Bouldering chain in Denmark. With the agreement with Verlinvest I am delighted that we jointly can take the next step and build the leading Bouldering chain internationally. We share the same values and ambitions, and I am excited to start this journey together.”
Ben Black of Verlinvest said: “Boulders is a pioneer in Denmark and a natural fit for our Climbing Platform. Alongside The Climbing Hangar in the UK, it brings a strong brand, loyal community, and proven ability to scale. Verlinvest’s experience with purpose-driven consumer brands, together with our network and expertise, can help accelerate growth. We look forward to partnering with Ole, Martin and the team to open new sites, and pursue M&A with like-minded operators.”
Boulders joins Verlinvest’s Climbing Platform, aligned to its strategy of developing niche, high-growth sports that have the potential to be mainstream and global at scale, with multiple revenue streams beyond traditional multi-site leisure players. Verlinvest has a proven track record of investing behind multi-channel sports & entertainment brands on a global scale including K1 Speed, KaraFun and Baller League (via V3 Ventures).
About Boulders
Boulders is Denmark’s largest chain of bouldering gyms, with 10 locations across Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg. Each facility is combines sustainable design with state-of-the-art climbing walls and on-site cafés that create a vibrant atmosphere. Boulders is a community hub, where families, students and fitness enthusiasts come together to train and socialize. The company also hosts events, courses, kids’ programmes and its flagship Blocparty competition series, making climbing accessible and fostering an inclusive, active lifestyle. Learn more at www.boulders.dk.
About Verlinvest
Verlinvest is a global, family-backed evergreen investment company investing tickets up to €200m per investment. It identifies inflection points in consumer behaviour and partners with businesses driving consumer revolutions while having a positive impact on people and the planet. Established in 1995, with offices in Brussels, London, New York, Mumbai and Singapore, Verlinvest focuses on the FMCG, health, consumer technology and lifestyle categories, investing across three strategies: Platform, Growth and Venture. Its portfolio includes Oatly, Tony’s Chocolonely, K1 Speed, Insomnia Cookies, Vita Coco and Mutti, amongst others. More information at www.verlinvest.com
Next article: