A Defining Year for Startup Growth 2025 marked a major milestone for the global startup ecosystem. According to a recent TechCrunch report, more than 100 tech companies crossed the billion-dollar valuation mark in a single year. That level of growth signals renewed confidence in scalable ideas, strong leadership teams, and platforms built to meet real […]
Executive Leader
NYC Startup Funding Shows Strong Momentum Heading Into 2026
A Snapshot of New York’s Startup Ecosystem New York City’s startup scene closed out the year with strong momentum. A recent AlleyWatch Startup Daily Funding Report highlighted dozens of venture capital, seed, pre-seed, and angel funding across the city in mid-December. The activity spans fintech, AI, health tech, consumer platforms, and enterprise software, reinforcing NYC’s […]
Sweatpals Raises $12M to Expand Social-Fitness Experiences
A Fitness Startup Redefining Community Sweatpals, a fast-growing social-fitness startup founded in 2022, has secured a $12 million seed round led by Patron, a16z Speedrun, and HartBeat Ventures. The platform is built around one idea: fitness is more engaging when it’s social. According to Business Insider, Sweatpals now reaches more than 1 million monthly users, […]
Pickleball’s Popularity Surge and What It Means for the Fitness Industry
Pickleball is officially the fastest-growing sport in America — again. According to a recent TIME report, more than 19.8 million Americans now play the game, marking a 45% jump from 2023 and over 300% growth in the past three years. This surge isn’t limited to retirees or hobbyists. The 25–34 age group now represents the […]
FTC Sues LA Fitness Over Difficult Cancellation Policies
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against LA Fitness and its related brands, including Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio. The complaint accuses the companies of creating unnecessary hurdles for customers trying to cancel memberships, leading to frustration, unwanted fees, and damaged trust. According to the FTC, the gyms required […]