Grow your business with HSA/FSA
The body’s other microbiomes need attention.
Flora
Humans host an ecosystem of ~100T bacteria, viruses, and fungi — promoting digestion, metabolism, immunity, and much more.
Concentrated in the gut, diversity of flora in the GI tract supports optimal physical and mental health — while imbalances lead to obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
But, it’s not the only microbiome. With gut health in the spotlight, we’re neglecting communities like the mouth and skin.
Symbiotic
Interconnected, when one microbiome is altered, the others also shift.
Bidirectional, respiratory infections can weaken metabolism, and diabetic complications in the gut tax skin, nose, and mouth microbes.
Like gastro flora, experts believe lifestyle choices are decimating other systems, leading wellness-seekers to take proactive, probiotic measures elsewhere.
Mouthful. The body’s second-largest, oral microbiome is increasingly challenged by high-sugar diets, smoking, mouthwash, mouthbreathing, and forgetting to brush.
Deeply intertwined with the gut, pathogens from periodontitis raise risk for obesity, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even endometriosis. Meanwhile, the presence of other bacteria is associated with dementia and memory loss.
Rising in the $55B oral care market, Gallinée and Fygg sell prebiotic toothpaste, while MyBiotics uses Viome diagnostics to personalize tubes. Dentist-approved, Proclaim’s hydroflossing device could lower AFib and stroke risk.
Surface level. Acne, dandruff, body odor, and eczema are all linked to skin imbalances — and are worsened by bad eating, sun damage, pollution, and chemical-laden personal care products.
Redefining dermatology, microbiome vitality could become the new culture of skincare. In this space, Magic Molecule bioengineers multi-condition sprays, Phyla fights acne with living phages, L’Oréal acquired Lactobio to develop topicals with live bacteria, and Sequential delivers diagnostic skin scores.
Beyond blemishes, lack of good microbes contributes to rapid aging, anxiety, allergies, heart disease, and autoimmunes — meaning microbe-detecting sweat patches could help providers track and treat a range of conditions.
A natural solution, ungloved interaction with organic material adds healthy diversity while decreasing inflammation, growing the case for gardening and rewilding.
Parts unknown. 30% of women have an imbalanced vaginal microbiome, a condition responsible for 90%+ of infections and linked to infertility, pregnancy complications, and cancer.
While natural hormonal changes from periods to menopause play a factor, copper IUDs, toxic tampons, low-fiber sugary diets, and unsafe sex make daily diagnosis more difficult.
Democratizing tests, Evvy pairs at-home kits with data-driven medicine and lifestyle coaching. Achieving the delicate balance, O Positiv and Bonafide formulate oral probiotics, while Seed unveiled a targeted suppository.
Punchline: Promoting its holistic nature, routine maintenance with fewer man-made ingredients will keep consumers’ microbiome neighborhoods diverse and thriving.
🎙 On the Podcast
MoldCo founder and CEO Ariana Thacker discusses toxicity treatment.
Born from personal experience, MoldCo is revolutionizing treatment for mold-related illness with a platform that combines specialized testing, personalized protocols, and ongoing R&D.
We also cover: Mold exposure’s impact, increasing access to treatment, and bridging care delivery with cutting-edge research.
Listen to today’s episode here.
🌍 Wellhub accelerates in Europe
The corporate wellness platform acquired European rival Urban Sports Club.
Launch pad. Accelerating Wellhub’s global expansion, the combined network will serve 34.5K corporate clients and 83K holistic well-being partners, including premium gyms, studios, and digital solutions.
Growth mode. Valued at $2.4B and doubling revenue YoY, Wellhub gains a foothold in Europe’s DACH region, consolidating the market as it prepares for a potential IPO.
With employers racing to curb healthcare costs, Wellhub is strengthening its pitch as a one-stop wellness shop.
Arms race. The acquisition escalates competition with EGYM’s Wellpass. Both are on a buying spree — Wellhub (formerly Gympass) bought Italy’s Fitprime, while EGYM grabbed Hussle and FitReserve.
Employing different strategies, Wellhub’s holistic pivot targets burnt-out workers as EGYM scales its AI-driven fitness ecosystem.
Punchline: Fitness-led corporate wellness is shaping up into a clash of global superpowers.
💰 Tap Into the $150B HSA/FSA Market
Flex unlocks seamless HSA/FSA spending on health and wellness products.
Expand reach. Americans have over $150B in HSA/FSA accounts — with Flex, consumers can spend those funds on your brand, resulting in a 15% average increase in new customers.
Boost revenue. Consumers save 30–40% on purchases made with their HSA/FSA, translating to a 20% boost in cart size.
Optimize your checkout. Flex’s single-page checkout flow drives high conversions, and its real-time analytics dashboard helps optimize your HSA/FSA channel.
Bonus points. Driving discovery, Flex connects its community of high-intent HSA/FSA buyers to new brands through the Flex Market.
Get started today, and see why top brands like Ultrahuman, iFIT, and Ozlo Sleep choose Flex.
✈️ Sensei plots global expansion
The wellness resort from Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison opened at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton property in Mexico, with plans for 20 more locations by 2027.
World tour. Sensei’s flagship is located on Ellison’s private Hawaiian island, with a second operating on his former California estate.
Advocating “The Sensei Way,” Sensei offers fitness classes, spa treatments, mindset sessions, and WHOOP-tracked lifestyle coaching.
Culture trip. Exploring development in Costa Rica, the Mediterranean, and Caribbean, Sensei integrates local cultural rituals — Zadún’s spa will offer traditional Mexican sweat lodge and herbal massage experiences.
Looking ahead: High-end wellness escapes price most travelers out, but as Canyon Ranch and The WELL have shown, the Sensei Brand could move beyond the resort.
📰 News & Notes
- 23andMe files for bankruptcy.
- Life Time lists LTH supplements on Amazon.
- Velara plans bio-optimized resort in Costa Rica.
- Instacart adds AI-powered personalized nutrition recs.
- Lifesum, FIIT link up on joint corporate wellness platform.
- NSF launches PFAs-free certification for food, nutrition brands.
- Google unveils medical record APIs, AI drug discovery platform.
- Startup Q&A: BON CHARGE CEO Andy Mant on red light therapy.
- GymNation brings HYROX performance centers to the Middle East.
- Ringo launches Apple-endorsed MagSafe water bottle for fitness content creators.
- GORUCK taps former Women’s Health editor as creative director, targets women’s gear.
- Fitt Talent is recruiting for several executive-level roles at top health and wellness companies.
💰 Money Moves
US 🇺🇸 / Canada 🇨🇦
Corporate wellness platform Wellhub acquired European rival Urban Sports Club.
Digestive health platform Cylinder (fka Vivante Health) acquired Dieta Health, an AI diagnostic platform treating IBS.
Camino Partners invested in boutique fitness studio Barry’s, medspa brand Well Labs+, and home healthcare provider LiveWell.
Golf lifestyle brand Good Good Golf secured $45M in a round led by Creator Sports Capital, with participation from Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions.
Sprout Family, a fertility and family planning platform, closed a CA$1.7M ($1.19M) pre-seed round.
TadHealth, a school-based mental health platform, raised $7.85M in funding.
HireBOB.ai, an agentic AI solution for fitness operators, landed $20M.
Europe 🇪🇺
London-based endurance sports company Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) landed $10M from Cordillera Investment Partners.
UK-based medspa operator EverySkin secured undisclosed funding from Middleton Enterprises.
Spain’s Playtomic, a club management and matchmaking platform for padel and other racket sports, secured €65M ($70.3M) in a round led by Match Invest.
Field Doctor, a UK-based healthy prepared meals maker, raised undisclosed funding and will enter B2B.
Solo60, operator of on-demand private microgyms and wellness spaces, raised £2M ($2.5M) in funding.
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority acquired a minority stake in European outdoors operator European Camping Group (ECG).
Asia 🌏
Dozee, an Indian remote patient monitoring platform, secured Rs 71.5 Cr ($8.3M) in financing.
Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Anthony Vennare, Joe Vennare, Ryan Deer, and Jasmina Breen.
