Tap into the $150B HSA/FSA market.
Tech is augmenting self-care.
Rebooting
Integrating longevity, recovery, and aesthetics, high-tech wellness spaces are rivaling the traditional spa experience.
- Worth $137B, tech and crossover therapies will grow the global spa market 8.3% YoY.
- 55% of spa customers are interested in blended traditional and tech experiences, with younger spa-goers more likely to prefer the latter.
Stacking next-gen modalities to match up, 34% of spa operators now offer red light therapy, 16% percussive massage, and 9% cryo.
New You
Adding a third “r” to rest and relaxation, rejuvenation is driving demand for mind-body resets through robotic and multi-modal systems.
Helping hand. Facing a shortage of massage therapists, 7% of spas are turning to automated options.
At the forefront, Aescape has delivered 32K sessions across hospitality, clinics, and gyms while leveraging Tom Brady’s co-sign and pliability protocols to popularize robotic recovery. In Europe, luxury gym Third Space added a suite for Danish rival Self.
In beauty, Ulta is piloting LUUM’s lash extension robot, Beauty Tech Group IPO’d, and Therabody launched a new LED mask with built-in scalp massage.
Full stack. Pioneering immersive wellness “chambers,” Ammortal has installed units for the LA Rams, Proper Hotels, and Padel United. The $160K system stacks PEMF, red light, molecular hydrogen, sound, and vibration therapies in personalized sessions.
A similar concept, Lumati’s Recharge Station landed at Hotel Del Coronado. Taking shape, Novak Djokovic’s Regenesis pod adds crystal energy, with Qatar Airways on board and Aman Resorts rumored to be next.
One-off. Adding solo pursuits, Remedy Place added Bryan Johnson-endorsed hyperbaric chamber Zeugma. At Soho Farmhouse, HOCATT’s ozone sauna promises full-body detox and skin rejuvenation. Across the Mediterranean, the Nuvola Dry Float Therapy bed enhances sleep, recovery, and lymphatic drainage.
Robo-sanctuary. Hyper-personalized, condensed, and increasingly contactless, the spa’s futuristic makeover lacks a human touch that once defined the experience.
Yet, Aescape’s research found 20% of Americans are uncomfortable with a masseuse’s contact, and at ~$60 per session, robotic massage may actually expand access.
The best of both worlds, many spas adopting automation are investing in communal contrast therapy circuits and thermal rituals for somatic and social well-being.
Looking ahead: Whether consumers choose to pamper or optimize—seeking human energy or robotic efficiency—self-care tech will enhance, not dilute, the spa experience.
🎙 On the Podcast
Tia co-founder & CEO Felicity Yost discusses scaling holistic women’s healthcare.
Integrating primary care, gynecology, mental health, fertility, menopause, and longevity services, Tia is building a female-focused alternative to traditional specialty-siloed systems.
We also cover: Preventative vs. longevity care, why women have fallen through the cracks, and the future of predictive modeling in medicine.
Listen to today’s episode here
💼 Employees want work-life wellness
According to Wellhub, workplace well-being dropped 9% last year. Nearly 90% of employees are burned out, 53% feel more stressed, and most say sustained focus is unattainable.
Hard reset. For 86%, well-being is as valuable as salary. Setting boundaries, 82% are working less to regain balance. Prioritizing healthier habits, running, lifting, sleeping more, socializing, and eating better were the top self-care strategies.
Getaway. Workers are getting active at gyms, wellness clubs, and run groups to offset stress, while a third cite community as the main draw — turning wellness into social infrastructure.
Ask HR. Despite near-universal agreement that well-being drives performance, only 14% of employees have structured wellness programs, while fewer than 30% are happy with existing benefits.
Punchline: Burnout is bad for business. A win-win, employers that empower workers to elevate their well-being will boost morale — and the bottom line.
🏦 All-in-one HSA/FSA infrastructure
Designed for health and wellness brands, Flex makes HSA/FSA spending seamless.
400%. The increase in HSAs since 2011.
60M. The number of Americans with an HSA or FSA account.
$150B. The number of dedicated HSA/FSA dollars waiting to be spent.
Built for enterprise scale, Flex adapts to any tech stack and business model, increasing average order value by 50% and checkout conversion by 30%.
Powering discovery, its Flex Market exposes high-intent shoppers to FSA/HSA eligible products, while real-time analytics let sellers strengthen their funnel.
Get started today and see why leading brands like Therabody, Ultrahuman, and Dermstore already use Flex to unlock HSA/FSA spending.
🏡 Wellness reshapes real estate
According to Wellhub, workplace well-being dropped 9% last year. Nearly 90% of employees are burned out, 53% feel more stressed, and most say sustained focus is unattainable.
Hard reset. For 86%, well-being is as valuable as salary. Setting boundaries, 82% are working less to regain balance. Prioritizing healthier habits, running, lifting, sleeping more, socializing, and eating better were the top self-care strategies.
Getaway. Workers are getting active at gyms, wellness clubs, and run groups to offset stress, while a third cite community as the main draw — turning wellness into social infrastructure.
Ask HR. Despite near-universal agreement that well-being drives performance, only 14% of employees have structured wellness programs, while fewer than 30% are happy with existing benefits.
Punchline: Burnout is bad for business. A win-win, employers that empower workers to elevate their well-being will boost morale — and the bottom line.
📰 News & Notes
- Walmart stocks Abbott’s Lingo CGM.
- Momentous launches creatine chews.
- Wellness resorts bet on women’s health.
- WHOOP sues Polar over wearable design.
- GORUCK releases women’s weighted vest.
- Fitbit rolls out Gemini-powered health coach.
- Royal Personal Training plans LA gym-as-clinic.
- Ladder adds strength-supporting nutrition programs.
- Technogym announces world treadmill championships.
- EGYM launches integrated software suite for gym operators.
- Iron House Design, PENT Fitness unveil crystal-encrusted dumbbells.
- Startup Q&A: Hytro’s co-founders on athlete-endorsed BFR wearables.
- Ammortal names Next Health’s Dr. Darshan Shah as chief medical officer.
- We already know your next hire: Fitt Talent offers specialized recruiting for CPG, wellness, and longevity brands. Learn more here.
💰 Money Moves
US 🇺🇸 / Canada 🇨🇦
Blueprint, a longevity company founded by entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, landed $60M in a funding round.
Ampa, maker of an FDA-cleared neurostimulation device for depression, emerged from stealth following an $8.5M funding round.
Walla, developer of an OS for boutique fitness, closed $5M in a round led by Social Leverage and Ankona Capital.
Early cancer detection company GRAIL secured $325M in a private placement.
Racquet club management platform CourtReserve landed $54M from Mainsail Partners.
Crunch Fitness franchisee CR Fitness Holdings secured a $350M investment from Sixth Street.
Generation Lab, developer of longevity diagnostics, secured $11M in a seed round led by Accel.
Canadian virtual care platform Felix Health closed a CA$53M ($37.9M) funding round.
Fitness and wellness SaaS Daxko acquired fitness management platform Exercise.com.
Greatness Wins, an athletic apparel brand co-founded by Derek Jeter, secured an equity investment from NFL tight end Brock Bowers.
Functional beverage maker Odyssey raised $6.3M in equity funding from Ei Ventures.
PodPlay Technologies, maker of sports venue management software, closed an $8M Series A.
Europe 🇪🇺
Austrian luxury health resort Lanserhof secured €95M ($110.4M) from AltamarCAM, King Street Capital Management, and others.
Kotcha, a French AI-powered run coaching app co-founded by marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, raised €3.5M ($4M) to launch and scale across Europe.
Dutch budget gym operator Basic-Fit acquired Germany’s clever fit, operator of 493 clubs across seven countries, for €160M ($186M).
UK-based smart fitness mirror MAGIC AI secured an undisclosed investment from footballer Jesse Lingard.
The UK’s SheMed, a medical weight loss platform for women, raised $50M in funding.
French CPG giant L’Oréal acquired fragrance brand House of Creed from Kering as part of a strategic beauty and wellness alliance.
Asia 🌏
Singapore-based Patience Capital Group partnered with IHG Hotels & Resorts for a Six Senses wellness resort on Japan’s Mt. Myoko.
Indian healthy snacking brand Wonderland Foods secured Rs 140 crore ($15.9M) in funding.
Continue Research, an Indian anti-aging research firm, raised $25M in funding from entrepreneur Deepinder Goyal.
Israeli fitness club management platform Arbox acquired clinic management platform Typolog and beauty management platform Kavanu.
Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Anthony Vennare, Joe Vennare, Ryan Deer, and Jasmina Breen.
