The International Bouldering Alliance

The International Bouldering Alliance (IBA) is the world’s largest bouldering platform by number of sites, bringing together five leading European brands across the UK, Denmark, Germany and Austria. Together, The Climbing Hangar, Boulders, Urban Apes, Der Steinbock and Café Kraft operate 39 gyms, with more than 40,000 members and 3.4 million visits each year. Each brand remains rooted in its local community, while the IBA enables them to share expertise, technology, data and best practice to improve the climbing experience and bring the sport to more people.

The Climbing Hangar is one of the UK’s leading bouldering operators, focused on making climbing welcoming and accessible to everyone. Its gyms bring together first-time and experienced climbers in inclusive spaces built around movement, connection and strong local communities across 9 locations.

Boulders is Denmark’s largest chain of bouldering gyms, with 11 locations across Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg. Its community-driven gyms combine state-of-the-art climbing facilities with social spaces, events and programs designed to make bouldering accessible to families, students and fitness enthusiasts. 

Urban Apes is a leading German bouldering operator known for its distinctive urban venues and community-focused approach. Together with Der Steinbock and Café Kraft, it forms a network of 19 locations across Germany and Austria, creating places where people can climb, connect and enjoy the sport.

Verlinvest and Family Trust partnered with the teams behind the five brands in October 2026 to form The International Bouldering Alliance and support its next phase of growth. Building on Verlinvest’s existing investments in The Climbing Hangar and Boulders, the partnership supports new gym openings, investment in people, routesetting and digital infrastructure, and expansion into new formats and experiences beyond the gym. The investment reflects Verlinvest’s ambition to back high-growth, category-defining sports and entertainment businesses with the potential to broaden participation and become global reference brands.