Oslo-based Playpulse closes $2M round for exercise bike that turns fitness into a game

Playpulse has raised $2 million to build an exercise bike that motivates people to work out using games.

Like a Peloton with games, the Playpulse One integrates games into an exercise bike that has considerable graphics and computing power so that you can get immersed in the experience and stay on the bike longer.

The company raised the round to finalize the product and grow the content library through partnerships. The investors include Courtside VC, Initial Capital, and several angel investors with relevant backgrounds, including Jamie Brooker and  Johan Brand from Kahoot, Jasmine Maietta from Peloton, and Walter Cruttenden from Acorns.

“We worked on how to use gaming to make exercise more fun to more people,” Solheim said. “I saw this research project they did with a school where one kid played a game for six weeks, twice a week, and became more fit.”

“We are targeting families who aren’t hardcore gamers,” Solheim said. “We can give them a level of immersion that can give us very good engagement with both kids and adults alike. Our goal is to make exercise fun.”