KidStrong Secures Princeton Equity Backing

A Gentle Tide of Growth

On the warm canvas of family afternoons, a familiar rhythm is unfolding: KidStrong is expanding with a quiet, café-like patience. The news reads like a well-timed pastry rise—steady, deliberate, and deeply comforting to those who trust a science-based approach. By late 2025, the network has reached roughly 175 operational sites, a milestone that follows the 2023 celebration of its 100th location in Plantation, Florida. Today, the footprint spans more than 30 states and touches about 85,000 children, with 320 units still in development. The new partnership with Princeton Equity Group signals more than capital—it signals a shared belief in growing with care, and in infrastructure that keeps the brand’s data-driven heart intact: KidStrong expanding, not rushing. The glow of growth should never outpace the warmth of learning.

That warmth also comes with a practical plan. The collaboration promises enhanced marketing support, stronger franchisee backing, and meaningful infrastructure upgrades designed to sustain a consistent, outcomes-driven experience for families. While leadership will remain with Matt Sharp as CEO and no changes are planned, the backer’s perspective adds a layer of confidence to the cadence of openings and the quality of the program. The numbers tell the story: nearly 190 existing sites across more than 30 states, with 320 units in development, and a community of 85,000 children already benefiting from a curriculum that blends play with progress.

In the soft rhythm of a café-lounge afternoon, growth wears a gentle badge: care for children first, expansion second. The partnership asks not for speed at the expense of science, but for a thoughtful pace that preserves the program’s character. As families step into KidStrong spaces, they glimpse a future where more children can discover confidence, collaboration, and curiosity without losing the familiar comfort of learning through play.

Founding Vision and Core Mission

KidStrong began in 2015 as a family-inspired venture born from a desire to help their daughter become more confident and capable. Founders Matt Sharp and Megan Sharp, joined by Lincoln Brown, imagined a program where character grows through games that teach teamwork and resilience. From those early rooms to today, the mission has remained clear: science-based child enrichment that feels joyful. Classes run 45 minutes and serve kids from first steps through age 11, blending physical activity with problem solving, and inviting franchisees to extend the experience through parties and camps that complement the core learning.

The curriculum is built to be a differentiator in a crowded field. KidStrong pairs character development with cognitive growth and physical training under the guidance of child development experts. The 45-minute structure keeps sessions focused for young learners, while the framework invites scalable revenue through parties and camps that let operators broaden earnings without changing the core outcomes. This design creates a reliable, repeatable experience families can count on, with room to grow as the network expands.

Families walk in for energy and guidance, and walk out with a sense of progress. In this balance, the program earns trust: children improve agility, balance, and strength while building creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. The 45-minute class isn’t just a workout—it’s a gentle workshop for character, designed to feel like a familiar routine families return to with anticipation.

Curriculum, Structure, and Scale

At the heart of KidStrong is a curriculum crafted by child development experts, a differentiator in a field crowded with branded options. The program layers character development, cognitive growth, and physical activity into a single, structured 45-minute class that feels natural rather than rushed. In a market that includes i9 Sports and Unleashed Brands’s ecosystem, KidStrong’s integrated approach stands out by keeping the focus on the whole child while ensuring families receive a consistent, outcomes-oriented experience.

As the network scales, it leans into scalable elements—primarily parties and camps—that extend revenue beyond the standard class. The framework is designed so operators can deliver a cohesive program across locations while maintaining the same quality of results. That combination of a well-curated curriculum and practical growth channels helps keep the brand grounded even as the footprint widens.

Investor Reaction and Leadership Continuity

Reaction to the investment reflects a belief in both market potential and personal connection. Doug Kennealey, managing partner at Princeton Equity, notes that he has nieces and nephews who are KidStrong users in Texas, and several team members have children enrolled who have seen the difference the program can make. The message, softly spoken, points to a partnership built on trust and shared experience. The plan emphasizes continuity in leadership, with no planned executive changes, allowing founders—most notably Matt Sharp—to guide the course as the network grows.

Investment terms and the precise financial details remain private, but the company outlined a roadmap: more marketing support, stronger franchisee backing, and infrastructure improvements that will help the brand scale without sacrificing quality. For context, the typical range for initial franchise investments sits between $448,100 and $600,000, and KidStrong’s own disclosures show average unit volumes in the two middle quartiles around $625,638 and $763,079. The message here is clear: growth with governance, a steady hand at the wheel, and a system that families can trust.

Industry Landscape and Roadmap

Industry players in the education-driven youth space include Roark Capital’s i9 Sports and Unleashed Brands’ stable of brands like British Swim School, The Little Gym, and Premier Martial Arts. KidStrong differentiates itself with its integrated approach to developing mind, body, and character, supported by a curriculum overseen by child development experts. In a landscape where families increasingly seek programs offering structure, learning, and social-emotional growth, KidStrong’s unique blend stands out by promising a holistic experience that goes beyond the gym or classroom.

Yet details remain private, including the exact terms of Princeton Equity’s investment. The pipeline shows 320 new units in development atop nearly 190 existing locations, but timelines and geographic distribution remain to be solidified. The portfolio’s breadth also invites governance questions in a diversified brand family, a cautionary note highlighted by broader portfolio dynamics. Taken together, the partnership with Princeton Equity suggests a deliberate path toward rapid expansion—one that preserves the brand’s mission while leveraging investor experience to guide growth thoughtfully.

A Gentle Tide of Growth