Kazakhstani startup 1Fit unexpectedly cuts operations in Mexico
1Fit, a Kazakhstani startup that offered fitness services under a «membership for all kinds of sports» model in Mexico, has announced the termination of its operations in the country, citing a combination of financial difficulties and security risks to employees.
The project was launched in Mexico last August, covering the cities of Guadalajara, Mexico City and Querétaro. However, in late April, the startup unexpectedly ceased operations and relocated its team back to Kazakhstan.
Threats to employees and financial difficulties
According to El Financiero, a Mexican media outlet focused on finance and politics, 1Fit left the country’s market without prior notification to both users and partners, while also leaving behind debts and unfulfilled liabilities. The move sparked a wave of criticism from clients who had purchased one-year or six-month memberships and lost access to fitness services. Most of the customers didn’t receive a refund.
According to Digitalbusiness.kz, the startup’s team encountered multiple threats from unidentified individuals who were quite aggressive and made unjustified financial demands. The situation caused significant security concerns, as some Kazakhstani specialists had been sent to Mexico to streamline business processes.
In an interview with Digitalbusiness.kz, Murat Alikhanov, co-founder and CEO of 1Fit, said the company had planned a gradual and controlled exit from the Mexican market, ensuring the fulfillment of all obligations. However, a force majeure event forced the immediate evacuation of the team, and information about the closure leaked earlier than initially planned.
«The process of leaving the country isn’t new for us. We have gone through this in other regions, and occasionally we proceed step by step in a controlled manner,» Alikhanov said.
According to him, one of the company’s employees had notified partners without permission, triggering a chain reaction in which gyms began blocking client access, while clients raised holy hell on social media.
«This triggered a harsh reaction: partner fitness studios began blocking users’ access to fitness services, creating chaos and public anger on social media,» Alikhanov added.
He noted that to comply with Mexican law, the company must undergo an audit and due diligence. Next, the redemption of the remaining funds will most likely be carried out through a legal process.
On Apr. 30, 1Fit Mexico posted an official statement on Instagram, informing customers that the situation was not related to fraud but was solely due to financial reasons. The company stated that all liabilities toward staff had been fully met and that any remaining issues would be resolved by legal means.
Previous failures abroad
Mexico is not the first overseas market 1Fit has exited. In 2023, the company terminated its project in the U.K. and in 2022, it exited Russia. During less than six months of operation in London, the service reported a loss of approximately $97,000. However, 1Fit continues to operate successfully in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Malaysia.
The company’s owner
De jure, the company registered in Kazakhstan, is owned by 1Fit LLP (Business Identification Number 180540016405), while its founder, according to data from eGov.kz, is a company called Alippe Inc. Open sources indicate that Alippe Inc. is a part of the investment portfolio of TMT Investments Plc, a venture fund established by German Kaplun and Alexander Morgulchik, the founders of RBC, one of the largest media groups in Russia.
According to Forbes Kazakhstan, a Kazakhstani startup generated an income of $20.2 million in 2023. Murat Alikhanov was added to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020.
In 2024, 1Fit in Uzbekistan reported a monthly income exceeding $1 million for the first time after entering the market in the summer of 2022. At the time of its launch, the service partnered with over 120 fitness centers in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
