Hydra

Hydra Studios operates a network of private wellness spaces in New York City, targeting the modern workforce by integrating self-care into their daily routines. The company was founded in 2017 by Marie Kloor and Dan Nielsen, both alumni of Goldman Sachs. The inspiration for the business came from Kloor's own experience at Goldman Sachs, where she frequently used the corporate gym and locker room as a base of operations throughout her demanding days. After leaving to work at a smaller startup, she missed this amenity and recognized a broader need for accessible, high-quality wellness facilities that weren't exclusive to large corporations.

Hydra Studios operates on a dual business model, featuring both B2B and B2C offerings. In its B2B channel, the company partners with commercial landlords and corporate clients to provide its wellness services as an exclusive amenity for a building's tenants or a company's employees, operating on a monthly fee structure. For its B2C channel, Hydra Studios runs flagship locations open to the public through monthly memberships or day passes, offering flexibility for individual users. The first studio launched in 2019 within a Convene workplace in Midtown, and the company has since expanded. In December 2020, Hydra Studios announced a $3.8 million seed funding round with investors including Slow Ventures, Company Ventures, and Fifth Wall to support its growth.

The core service revolves around private, reservable suites designed for fitness, meditation, or quiet relaxation. These suites are equipped with modern fitness gear such as Peloton bikes, MIRROR interactive fitness systems, and TRX equipment, and are cleaned with HEPA air filters between sessions, a feature highlighted in its post-COVID operational design. Beyond the private suites, members have access to well-appointed locker rooms with amenities like rainfall showers, steam rooms, infrared saunas, and vanity stations stocked with curated personal care products. The studios also feature an experiential retail section that promotes sustainable and female-founded brands. This model positions the company at the intersection of the real estate and workplace wellness industries, which was estimated to be a $48 billion market in 2019.

Keywords: wellness studios, private fitness suites, corporate wellness, mental wellness, physical wellness, self-care, urban wellness, membership-based wellness, employee amenities, commercial real estate amenities, workplace wellness, Marie Kloor, Dan Nielsen, New York City, Peloton, MIRROR workout, infrared sauna, steam rooms, meditation rooms, stress management