Vesalius Longevity Labs raises $6.5M backed by Equinox chair, Elevate smoothie bar raises $2.7M & Nord Gyms opens in London

In today's episode

1. 01
   Signal

   $6.5M Round for Vesalius Longevity Labs Led by Equinox Chair Harvey Spevak

   Vesalius Longevity Labs, a publicly traded longevity company formerly known as Sweet Earth Holdings Corporation, raised $6.5 million through a private placement of approximately 6.2 million units at $1.05 each, with the investor group organised by Harvey Spevak, chairman of Equinox Group. The company plans to expand its sales team, enter new markets and grow its platform connecting licensed healthcare providers with peptide therapies and other longevity-focused services. Spevak's involvement signals that major luxury fitness operators are moving capital into provider-facing longevity platforms, a space studio and gym owners may increasingly compete with or partner alongside.

2. 02
   Signal

   Nord Gyms to open first site in Crouch End, North London, in December

   Nord Gyms will open its debut location in Crouch End, North London, in December, combining strength and conditioning facilities with personal coaching and contrast therapy. The concept pairs performance training with recovery in a single site, a format operators in the premium gym segment are increasingly testing.

3. 03
   Signal

   Gantner launches face recognition check-in system for fitness clubs

   Gantner, an access and locker technology company, has introduced GT7 powered by XS4 Face, a facial recognition check-in system that identifies members via camera, checks their status in club management software in real time, and grants access without a card, smartphone or wristband. The system also supports RFID, QR codes and digital membership cards, and the company says the process complies with the DSGVO, the European Union data protection regulation. For studio operators running unstaffed or 24-hour facilities, automated face recognition check-in reduces reliance on front-desk staff and can help manage peak-time entry flows.

4. 04
   Signal

   Elevate raises $2.7M to expand London smoothie bar chain

   London-based smoothie bar Elevate secured $2.7M from JamJar Investments, Soho House founder Nick Jones, and others to open two new shops early next year. The brand already sells more than one smoothie per minute, posts over $1M in annual sales, and opened a second site inside Selfridges department store in April. Collaborations with Nike, SKIMS, and Adanola show how smoothie bars are building brand reach beyond food retail, a model studio and gym operators may find relevant as functional nutrition moves closer to their core offer.