ZenRez

Zenrez operated as a dual-sided platform in the boutique fitness sector, offering both a consumer-facing marketplace and business-to-business software solutions. The company was founded in 2014 by Matthew Capizzi, his brother Joe Capizzi, Noah Tovares, and Arthur Hong. The concept for Zenrez emerged while Matthew Capizzi was pursuing his MBA at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business, where he studied yield and revenue management. Combining this academic knowledge with a personal interest in yoga, he identified an opportunity to apply dynamic pricing models, similar to those used in the airline industry, to fill unsold spots in fitness classes.

For consumers, Zenrez provided a pay-as-you-go marketplace for booking last-minute fitness classes at variable prices without requiring a monthly subscription. This model targeted individuals seeking flexibility rather than a routine commitment. Users could discover and book classes in disciplines like yoga, cycling, and bootcamp after 9 p.m. for the following day. The platform aimed to recommend studios and instructors based on user preferences and booking history.

For boutique fitness studios, Zenrez offered sales and marketing software designed to increase client acquisition and retention. A key feature was its yield management technology, which used machine learning to dynamically price unsold class spots to maximize revenue and studio utilization. The platform also included a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution that provided insights into client behavior, such as visit frequency, lifetime spend, and class preferences, enabling studios to create personalized marketing campaigns and loyalty rewards. The software was designed to integrate with existing studio management systems like Mindbody, pulling schedules and managing bookings without altering the studio's workflow. Revenue was generated through commissions on classes booked through the platform.

The San Francisco-based startup raised approximately $10 million in venture funding over several rounds, with a notable $6 million Series A in March 2017 led by ARTIS Ventures. By 2017, the company was working with 500 studios in major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. Despite its initial growth and strategic partnership with Mindbody, public records indicate that Zenrez ceased operations around April 2021.

Keywords: dynamic pricing fitness, yield management, boutique fitness software, class booking platform, gym management software, fitness marketplace, client retention fitness, pay-as-you-go fitness, Matthew Capizzi, Noah Tovares, Arthur Hong, last-minute fitness classes, fitness studio analytics, CRM for gyms, fitness booking engine, revenue optimization fitness, Carnegie Mellon entrepreneurship, Artis Ventures, Mindbody integration, fitness tech