Renzo Gracie Academy

What Renzo Gracie Academy does

Renzo Gracie Academy is a New York City-based martial arts training institution founded in 1996 by Master Renzo Gracie, a grandson of Carlos Gracie and member of the family that originated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The academy offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, KidJitsu (ages 6-13), and Private MMA training, operating three company-owned locations — a flagship 15,000 sq ft Midtown Manhattan facility (224 West 30th Street, one block from Penn Station) plus Brooklyn and Upper West Side branches — alongside an affiliate network of over 70 licensed academies spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The core "technology" is the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu methodology developed over generations, emphasizing leverage and technique over brute strength, supplemented by Muay Thai and MMA instruction. Programs are structured from Fundamentals through Advanced and Master/Black Belt levels, delivered by a roster of 18+ named instructors including Rafael "Sapo" Natal, Robson Gracie Jr., and Mike Jaramillo. The flagship facility includes Fuji-matted training space across three floors, climate control, and separate men/women changing rooms with showers; a Private MMA program is reserved for qualified elite fighters.

The business model combines subscription-based month-to-month memberships (BJJ-only, Muay Thai-only, Combo) with one-time drop-in passes ($45/day for BJJ or Muay Thai, $75 combo, $150/week), private lessons, branded merchandise via the RGA Apparel Shop and a Fuji Sports partnership, and licensing/affiliate fees from 70+ partner academies. Customer segments include recreational adult practitioners, children in the KidJitsu pipeline, progressive belt-rank students, and professional MMA fighters, with a hybrid segmentation approach. The company is privately held by the Gracie family with no disclosed external institutional investment.

Name

Renzo Gracie Academy

Legal name

Renzo Gracie Academy, LLC

Website

https://renzogracieacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Renzo Gracie Academy is a New York City-based martial arts academy founded in 1996, offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, and KidJitsu training across three owned locations and 70+ global affiliates, serving recreational adults, children, and professional fighters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Martial Arts Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Grappling & Submission Arts Training (Judo, BJJ, Wrestling) (HSADADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kids & Youth Martial Arts Programs (HSADADAG), Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Training (HSADADAD), Combat Sports Gyms & Dojos (MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Martial Arts) (MPAKAJAG)

Keywords

• Brazilian jiu-jitsu training
• Muay thai classes
• Martial arts academy
• MMA training programs
• Self-defense instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly recurring membership fees for unlimited access to classes. Month-to-month payments with option to freeze membership. Three membership types: BJJ only, Muay Thai only, and Combo.
2. Drop-in Classes and Day Passes: Single-visit passes for non-members: BJJ Day Pass $45, Muay Thai Day Pass $45, Combo Day Pass $75, Week Pass $150.
3. Private Lessons: Private classes offered in both BJJ and Muay Thai for additional revenue.
4. Apparel and Merchandise: RGA Apparel Shop and Fuji Sports RGA Collection for branded merchandise sales.
5. Affiliate/Franchise Fees: Revenue from affiliated academies that pay for the right to use the Renzo Gracie brand, methodology, and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Renzo Gracie Academy is a martial arts training school that teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, and KidJitsu programs from its 15,000 sq ft Midtown Manhattan flagship, with additional locations in Brooklyn and on the Upper West Side. It sells month-to-month memberships, drop-in day and week passes, private lessons, branded apparel through the RGA Apparel Shop and Fuji Sports partnership, and licenses its brand and curriculum to 70+ affiliate academies worldwide.

Product overview

Renzo Gracie Academy is a martial arts training institution offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling, and KidJitsu programs. The academy operates its flagship 15,000 sq ft Midtown Manhattan headquarters (established 1996) with additional locations in Brooklyn and Upper West Side, plus over 70 affiliate academies worldwide. Training is structured across skill levels from beginner fundamentals through advanced and master/black belt programs, with private lessons and facility amenities available. Drop-in day passes, week passes, and month-to-month memberships are offered alongside retail merchandise through the RGA Apparel Shop and Fuji Sports partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) A grappling-based martial art centered on controlling a resisting opponent through leverage, grip, and position to force submission; offered to kids, beginners, advanced practitioners, and black belt masters.
• Muay Thai Thai striking martial art known as the 'Art of Eight Limbs' that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes; offered as All Levels and Elite classes.
• Submission Grappling Gi-less grappling sport focused on submitting opponents via joint locks and chokes or winning by points, increasing speed and athleticism requirements compared with BJJ.
• KidJitsu Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for kids ages 6-13 integrating physical education, self-defense, conditioning, and skill-building games to improve coordination, motor skills, agility, and flexibility.
• Private Lessons Private classes in BJJ and Muay Thai offered with academy instructors, available by appointment for individuals seeking accelerated or customized instruction.
• Private MMA Training Private MMA training offered at the Midtown headquarters for qualified, pre-screened athletes seeking integrated mixed martial arts coaching.
• RGA Apparel and Fuji Sports RGA Collection Branded Renzo Gracie Academy apparel, gis, and equipment sold through the RGA Apparel Shop and through Fuji Sports' online RGA Collection.
• Affiliate Academy Licensing Licensing of the Renzo Gracie brand, teaching methodology, and curriculum to independent affiliate academies worldwide, including in the USA, UK, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Israel, Cyprus, Serbia, Singapore, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and South Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates include UFC champions, ADCC champions, and 10x world champions

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fuji SportscoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial equipment partner for the RGA Collection. Fuji Sports hosts the Renzo Gracie store on their website at fujisports.com/collections/renzo-gracie-store, providing branded merchandise and equipment to students worldwide.
• Affiliate Academies (70+ Global Locations)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGlobal network of 70+ affiliate academies licensed to use the Renzo Gracie brand, methodology, and curriculum. Affiliates include Renzo Gracie Rockland (NY), Renzo Gracie Los Angeles, Roger Gracie Academy (London), Daniel Gracie Philly, Renzo Gracie Utah, Renzo Gracie Costa Rica, Renzo Gracie Cape Town, and many others spanning North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
• Bellator MMAminorOthersRobson Gracie Jr., Renzo's brother and instructor at the academy, is currently signed with Bellator MMA, one of the world's leading MMA organizations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atos Jiu-Jitsu: International BJJ competition team with headquarters in San Diego and affiliate academies globally. Comparable to RGA as a competition-driven BJJ brand with affiliated schools, instructor lineage, and structured programs.
• Kings MMA: Huntington Beach-based Muay Thai and MMA academy founded by legendary trainer Rafael Cordeiro, training UFC champions. Directly comparable to RGA as a star-coach-led MMA/Muay Thai gym with championship lineage and pro-fighter clientele.
• Checkmat BJJ: Globally ranked BJJ competition team with US headquarters and affiliated academies across multiple continents. Direct comparable to RGA in competition pedigree, instructional offering, and affiliate growth model.
• 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu: Global no-gi BJJ school network founded by Eddie Bravo with multiple affiliate locations across the US and internationally. Direct comparable as a BJJ-only instructional brand using a licensing/affiliate growth model similar to RGA's.
• Marcelo Garcia Academy: NYC-based BJJ academy network founded by multiple-time ADCC and world champion Marcelo Garcia with affiliated locations in the US and internationally. Direct peer in NYC geography, BJJ focus, and star-instructor-driven brand.
• Alliance BJJ: One of the most decorated BJJ competition teams with affiliated academies worldwide, also offering structured kids and adult curricula. Comparable to RGA in champion-development pedigree, instructional methodology, and global affiliate footprint.
• Tiger Muay Thai & MMA: Premier training camp in Phuket, Thailand offering Muay Thai, BJJ, and MMA instruction to amateurs and professionals worldwide. Comparable to RGA's Muay Thai + MMA program as a destination training brand serving both local members and traveling martial artists.
• Gracie Barra: Largest global BJJ franchise founded by another branch of the Gracie family with hundreds of affiliated schools worldwide. Directly comparable to RGA in offering (BJJ-focused curriculum, subscription memberships, kids programs, tournament team) and in leveraging the Gracie brand for global expansion.

Broad incumbents

• UFC Gym: Nationwide fitness franchise built around the UFC brand offering MMA, boxing, strength, and conditioning classes to general consumers. Broader incumbent comparable to RGA's flagship consumer-facing training offering but with a mass-market fitness positioning rather than authentic martial arts specialization.

Emerging players

• Renzo Gracie Online Academy: The digital offering referenced on the RGA website delivering Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instruction online via the Gallerr platform. Relevant as RGA's own digital extension into remote instruction — both a potential growth vector and a comparable emerging distribution channel for martial arts instruction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RenzoGracieBJJ
• Facebookfacebook.com/renzogracieacademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/renzogracieacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/renzo-gracie-fight-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Renzo Gracie Academy