Arketa Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding to Expand AI-Powered Wellness Platform
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Arketa has raised $15 million in Series A funding. The funding round was led by Inspired Capital, with participation from existing investors First Round, Y-Combinator, Amity, and Velvet Sea.
The funding will be used to accelerate product development and expand Arketa’s market share in the growing boutique fitness sector. The company’s platform is designed to help small and medium-sized studios with features such as automated customer service, booking management, and marketing functions.
Rachel Lea Fishman, Co-founder and CEO of Arketa, said the company’s platform aims to address challenges faced by boutique fitness studios. “As a certified yoga instructor, I witnessed firsthand how outdated technology frustrated fitness studios, alienating customers and stunting growth by failing to meet modern demands,” Fishman said. “We founded Arketa to equip these professionals with cutting-edge tools to expand their reach, thrive, and deliver the personalized, community-focused experiences today’s fitness enthusiasts seek.”
Arketa’s platform is designed to provide technology that is typically used by larger enterprise clients but tailored to smaller businesses. The company says its tools help studios operate more efficiently and improve customer experiences.
Chris Brown of Inspired Capital said Arketa’s approach reflects a broader trend in business software. “Arketa is emblematic of modern vertical software platforms – those focused on doing everything for their customers,” Brown said. “They may start with delightful execution on table stakes features like booking and payments. But they quickly expand to address the entirety of a company’s opex.”
Arketa’s platform serves a range of boutique fitness studios, including those offering recovery services such as cold plunge therapy, saunas, and massage. Rachel Hirsch, Co-Founder of Empowered Yoga Studio, said the technology is essential to her business. “It’s vital to our daily operations,” Hirsch said. “It’s vital for us to engage with our clients. It’s vital to us to translate what’s going on in the studio into dollars in the bank.”
Arketa’s announcement comes as the boutique fitness market continues to expand. The sector, driven by consumer demand for personalized wellness experiences, is projected to reach $80 billion by 2029, according to Arketa. Additionally, a growing number of consumers report plans to prioritize their health in 2025, with boutique studios representing 42% of total gym memberships.
