UAE-Based Martial Arts Network ”GMNSM” Raises $2 Million to Fuel Expansion into Saudi Arabia and Europe
GMNSM, an Emirati network specializing in martial arts and holistic child education, has successfully secured $2 million in funding from investment firm Vera Capital and a private investor. The capital injection is aimed at accelerating the company’s regional and international expansion strategies out of its Dubai headquarters.
The company plans to deploy the fresh capital to inaugurate its first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously launching its first European branch in Monaco. This dual-pronged strategy seeks to export GMNSM's advanced, integrated child development model to new, high-potential markets across the Gulf and Europe.
Founded in 2022 by former professional athlete and entrepreneur Andrey Koberjiev, GMNSM has rapidly scaled into a network of 11 academies across the UAE, Qatar, and Cyprus. The network currently serves over 700 students, offering tailored programs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Gymnastics for children as young as two years old, alongside specialized adult martial arts training. To support its operational growth, the company plans to increase its workforce from 40 to 60 employees by the end of this year.
GMNSM Funding & Expansion Snapshot
The table below outlines the core transaction details and the company's operational roadmap:
Strategic DimensionDetails & Operational Scope
CompanyGMNSM (UAE-based martial arts & education network)
Funding Raised$2 Million USD
Lead InvestorsVera Capital and an undisclosed private investor
Current Footprint11 Academies (UAE, Qatar, Cyprus) with 700+ active students
Immediate Target MarketsRiyadh (KSA) and Monaco (European debut)
Pipeline Europe ExpansionUnited Kingdom, Switzerland, and Spain
Proprietary TechnologyAleem AI (Platform for coaching and retention analytics)
Key Strategic Drivers & Market Takeaways
AI-Powered Quality Control: To maintain standardized training quality across its rapidly growing network, GMNSM developed "Aleem AI." This proprietary platform utilizes artificial intelligence to evaluate coach performance, analyze student engagement, and monitor retention indicators, ensuring a consistent premium experience globally.
Capitalizing on Saudi Fitness Trends: The Riyadh expansion aligns perfectly with a national surge in physical activity. Recent 2025 data shows that 59.1% of Saudi adults now meet recommended physical activity levels (150 minutes/week), exceeding the 55% target. Furthermore, children's participation (ages 5-17) reached 19% in 2025, hitting the Kingdom's 2030 target five years early.
The Family-Centric Ecosystem: GMNSM leverages a highly effective family-inclusive model. The curriculum is designed so that children's enrollment frequently acts as a catalyst for parents to join adult training programs, transforming martial arts into a shared, multi-generational family activity.