Akshay Verma, Arushi Verma

About

I don’t let people sit. Even the interviews, I do [them] standing. Anyone who wants to work with us, all our meetings are [done] standing,” says Akshay Verma, co-founder and director, FITPASS. Founded in 2015, FITPASS operates on an asset-light, aggregator model, giving users access to a network of over 8,100 gyms and fitness centres across 130-plus cities, with a focus on Tier II- and III markets. It also offers fitness solutions—AI-driven personalised workouts, virtual classes, nutrition counselling, health checkups, and e-pharmacy benefits—through its platform. The need to improve lifestyles prompted Akshay, along with his sister Arushi, to set up FITPASS. “I realised that I needed fitness. I was not able to do it, and when I came back to India, I wanted to regain who I was but I was facing so many barriers—paying upfront, choosing location, and format. There are just so many barriers to getting fit,” says Akshay. But starting so early, when internet and digital payment penetration were still nascent, the first-mover advantage worked against them. From convincing the government to building trust among gym owners and corporate partners, the firm has come a long way. “The first one through the door gets shot right in the arm. We had to solve everybody’s problem, gain everybody’s trust. We had to educate the market, and then monetise the market,” adds Akshay. The company recorded ₹173.9 crore in annual recurring revenue as of March 2025.