FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness) is a technology company.
FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness) has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round.
FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness) has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness) has raised $10.0M in total across 1 funding round.
FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness)'s investors include Golden Seeds.
FORTË is a B2B fitness streaming platform that provides proprietary hardware and video software for fitness studios, gyms, influencers, and sports organizations to automate interactive livestreaming and on-demand content delivery.[1][2][3] It serves commercial fitness providers like UFC GYM, Curves, and 305 Fitness, solving the challenge of scaling branded, personalized fitness experiences through seamless integrations with member management systems such as Mindbody, Mariana Tek, Daxko, and ABC.[1][3][4] Acquired by Echelon Fitness in July 2025 and rebranded as ELEVATE by Echelon, FORTË now enhances Echelon's SaaS expansion, embedding AI-powered workout builders (developed with AWS Bedrock) to boost personalization and retention in enterprise gyms worldwide, with early trials showing a 7% uplift in member retention.[1][3][5]
Founded in 2015, FORTË grew to over 457,000 users across 39 countries, backed by investors including the LA Dodgers, Billie Jean King Enterprises, and Elysian Park, establishing it as a fitness tech disruptor before the acquisition solidified its role in Echelon's shift from at-home equipment to commercial wellness solutions.[3][4][5]
FORTË was founded in 2015 by Lauren Foundos, who served as its CEO, with a vision to empower fitness brands to scale through user-friendly technology for live and on-demand streaming.[3][4] Backed early by prominent investors like the LA Dodgers, Billie Jean King Enterprises, and Elysian Park, the company emerged as a pioneer in B2B fitness tech, addressing the need for studios to deliver branded content without complex setups.[1][3] Pivotal traction came from its client roster—high-profile names like UFC GYM, Healthworks, Exhale Spa, and influencer brands such as Power + Flow and Melt Method—driving growth to 457,000 users in 39 countries.[1][2][3]
The idea stemmed from gaps in fitness providers' ability to connect seamlessly with members via automated, interactive livestreaming, leveraging proprietary hardware that integrated with major management systems.[1][4] This early momentum positioned FORTË for its July 2025 acquisition by Echelon Fitness, advised by SweatWorks founder Mo Iqbal and Stewart Miller, marking a strategic evolution into Echelon's broader AI-driven ecosystem.[1][2][4]
FORTË rides the hybrid fitness wave, blending in-studio, at-home, and digital experiences amid post-pandemic demand for scalable, AI-personalized wellness solutions.[3][5] Its timing aligns with Echelon's pivot from connected home equipment to B2B SaaS, fueled by market forces like rising gym retention needs (via AI tools) and enterprise demand for turnkey streaming—projected to set new standards as connected fitness firms layer AI onto commercial platforms.[1][5] By enabling branded, data-driven content for operators, it influences the ecosystem toward modernization, reducing fragmentation and empowering studios to compete with apps like Peloton through immersive, integrated tech.[3][5]
Post-acquisition, ELEVATE by Echelon will accelerate global rollout of AI workout personalization into gyms, leveraging Echelon's U.S. tech team and FORTË's client base for deeper SaaS penetration.[1][3] Trends like generative AI in wellness (e.g., Bedrock integrations) and hybrid models will shape its path, potentially boosting engagement as operators adopt turnkey solutions amid 7%+ retention gains.[5] Its influence may evolve from disruptor to ecosystem leader, powering Echelon's leadership in intelligent fitness and redefining how studios scale impact worldwide—echoing its origins as a tech enabler for healthier communities.[4]
FORTË (acquired by Echelon Fitness) has raised $10.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Seed in February 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2021 | $10.0M Seed | Golden Seeds |