Edgard Corona is a Brazilian entrepreneur and the founder of Smart Fit, the largest gym chain in Latin America, with over 900 locations in 13 countries. Corona’s entrepreneurial journey started in 1996 when he founded Bio Ritmo, a fitness center in Sao Paulo. His success with Bio Ritmo inspired him to launch Smart Fit in 2009, which quickly became a market leader in Brazil’s booming fitness industry.
In 2017, Edgard Corona made headlines when Smart Fit went public on BM&FBovespa, the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange. The IPO was a huge success, with Smart Fit raising $2.2 billion in Brazil’s largest IPO in four years. The company’s shares surged 12% on their first day of trading, making it one of the most successful IPOs in Brazilian history.
The success of Smart Fit on BM&FBovespa is a testament to Corona’s visionary leadership and business acumen. Under his leadership, Smart Fit has revolutionized the fitness industry in Brazil and Latin America, offering affordable and accessible fitness options to millions of people. The company’s success has also helped to fuel the growth of Brazil’s broader health and wellness industry, which has become a major contributor to the country’s economy.
Smart Fit’s success on BM&FBovespa has also attracted the attention of other Brazilian companies in the health and wellness space. In 2019, healthcare provider Hapvida launched an IPO on BM&FBovespa, raising $2.2 billion in Brazil’s largest IPO of the year. Like Smart Fit, Hapvida has benefited from the growing demand for affordable healthcare options in Brazil. Looking ahead, Edgard Corona and Smart Fit are well-positioned to continue their growth trajectory on BM&FBovespa. The company has plans to expand its footprint in Latin America, with a particular focus on Mexico and Colombia. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of health and wellness, and Smart Fit is poised to capitalize on this trend with its affordable and accessible fitness offerings.
Edgard Corona’s entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have made him a leading figure in Brazil’s health and wellness industry. His vision for Smart Fit has transformed the fitness landscape in Brazil and Latin America, and the company’s success on BM&FBovespa is a testament to his leadership. As Smart Fit continues to expand, it is poised to become a major player in the global health and wellness industry.