BOUNCE acquires its competitor Latitude in Australian expansion

Australia’s indoor active entertainment provider, BOUNCE Inc, has acquired its final significant competitor, Latitude, as it seeks to double its footprint in an Australian expansion.

Launched in Melbourne in 2012, BOUNCE offers a diverse range of activities centred around trampolining and adventure, blurring sport, entertainment and recreation.  

The purchase of Latitude adds another three centres in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to the BOUNCE portfolio, which totals 16 venues locally and a similar number abroad operated through licensees. The purchase follows BOUNCE’s acquisition of Supaworld and rebranding its four locations.

BOUNCE co-founder and Chief Executive Simon McNamara said the group was turning its sights back to Australia and ramping up local acquisitions and growth. Over the next three years it is targeting NSW with new venue launches in particular via an expansion and acquisition strategy.

McNamara said it would also be going after the under-served playcentre market catering for pre-schoolers, following a successful pilot of its miniBOUNCE offering in Brisbane that demonstrated huge demand from parents seeking high quality active entertainment co-located with great food.

These expansion plans will be made possible by not only BOUNCE’s strong earnings – forecast to achieve more than $50 million in 2022, with an expected margin of 23% – but also through a successful private equity raising round led by KPMG that is close to completion.

The group is predicting to increase its revenue by almost 70% in the coming three to five years as it pursues its aggressive growth strategy and moves into developmental playcentres.

McNamara adds “Post COVID we have seen retailers as well as various asset managers and owners looking for ways to bring people back into their centres through activities that are fun, healthy and that build resilient communities.

“We have a much broader range of parties interested in how the BOUNCE model can contribute to their communities broadly, but also drive commercial returns by adding a destinational element to their centres.

“BOUNCE is actively seeking opportunities across the nation as we double down on our domestic strategy and our drive to be the dominant and most loved brand in active entertainment.”

Co-founder Ant Morell said BOUNCE was riding a wave of popularity as people sought out active and fun social activities post COVID.

“BOUNCE’s central propositions of active fun, skill development, and a taste of adrenaline are supported by significant macro trends,” he said.

“BOUNCE has established itself in a sweet spot where the sport and recreation sector overlaps with entertainment and leisure. People come to BOUNCE to have fun, but it’s the sort of fun that helps develop a range of transferable skills that can be applied to other activities and inspires people to come back for more. Kids love it because its adrenaline-fuelled fun. Parents, schools and community leaders love it because it gets kids off screens and socialising together in a healthy and inclusive environment; especially in a post lockdown environment.”

BOUNCE key statistics:

• 3.2 million BOUNCErs per year

• 32 venues globally

• +71.2 net promoter score

• 40,000 birthday parties per year

• 4,500 kids undertaking coaching