AI Massage Startup Aescape Raised $83 Million and Is Taking Over Fitness

Today wellness and recovery are core aspects of fitness, Aescape is carving out a unique space with its AI-powered robotic massage technology. The New York-based startup, founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur Eric Litman, has built a team of veterans from companies like Amazon, Uber, and Apple to redefine how people experience recovery. This week, the company secured $83 million in fresh funding in a strategic round led by Valor Equity Partners, an early investor in Tesla and SpaceX bringing its total funding to $128 million.

Aescape’s Partnership with Equinox

Aescape first made headlines last year when it launched its robotic massage system in select Equinox locations in New York City. Equinox, known for its high-end approach to fitness, was quick to integrate Aescape’s technology into its wellness offerings. The response was immediate, high engagement, strong demand, and even a noticeable increase in memberships. As a result, Equinox is now expanding the partnership, rolling out Aescape’s AI-powered massage experience to 60 locations nationwide.

“Aescape immediately resonated with our members, offering a private, effective, and highly personalized massage experience—on their time,” said James Gu, Senior Director of Spa at Equinox. “This partnership reflects our commitment to having the most advanced recovery solutions available, and we’re excited to bring it to more locations across the country.”

This move makes Equinox the first fitness brand to integrate fully autonomous, AI-driven massage technology at scale, pushing the boundaries of what high-performance recovery can look like in a modern fitness setting.

Since its launch with Equinox, Aescape has not only attracted interest from fitness brands but has also made significant inroads into hospitality, corporate wellness, and luxury real estate. The company has struck deals with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, and Ritz-Carlton properties, signaling its ambition to bring AI-powered massage beyond gyms and into spaces where relaxation and recovery are already prioritized.

Valor Equity Partners, the lead investor in Aescape’s latest funding round, sees significant potential in this emerging category. “Aescape has seen remarkable traction in just six months since launch,” said Jonathan Shulkin, Partner and Co-President at Valor Equity Partners. “Their AI-driven approach is unlocking new possibilities in data-informed, personalized care, driving revenue for partners while delivering precision-tailored experiences. Eric and his team are creating an entirely new category of robotics-powered wellness, and we’re delighted to continue to partner in their growth.”

Among the other investors in the round is NBA All-Star Kevin Love, whose involvement highlights Aescape’s appeal to athletes and sports professionals looking for innovative recovery solutions. The company, which now has a valuation of approximately $250 million according to a source familiar with the matter, is also eyeing expansion into physical therapy and medical applications.

Leadership Strengthening for the Next Phase of Growth

To support its scaling efforts, Aescape has bolstered its leadership team with two key hires. Kimberly Miller, formerly the Global CMO of Native Instruments and The Economist Group, has joined as Chief Marketing Officer. With over 20 years of experience in scaling high-growth organizations, Miller will oversee product marketing, communications, creative, customer acquisition, and performance marketing.

On the technical side, Aescape has appointed Eswar Priyadarshan as SVP of Engineering. Priyadarshan, who previously held leadership roles at Apple and Adobe, has a track record of successfully leading technology firms through acquisitions. His expertise will be instrumental in further refining Aescape’s product, ensuring the robotics and AI components remain at the forefront of innovation in the recovery space.

From Startup Vision to Market Reality

Eric Litman’s journey with Aescape began with a personal struggle. After enduring chronic neck pain for two years, he saw an opportunity to build a solution that blended AI and robotics with personalized recovery. Unlike traditional massage therapy, Aescape’s system offers a fully automated, data-driven experience tailored to each user’s needs.

A session with Aescape’s robot begins with a user wearing specialized clothing made from slick material, allowing the system’s cameras to create a precise 3D model of the body. The massage takes place on a sleek, futuristic-looking grey massage bed, where mechanical arms apply warm pressure based on user input via an LCD touchscreen. While the interface allows for real-time customization, some users have noted that adjusting settings mid-session can be tricky particularly for those who wear glasses and need to remove them while lying face down.

The technology is still evolving. For now, Aescape’s system can provide massages from the shoulders to the knees, but the team is actively working on expanding its capabilities. “We just finished all the work for calves today,” Litman shared in a recent interview. “People are pretty excited.”

The Business of AI-Driven Wellness

Aescape’s rapid growth reflects broader trends in AI adoption, where investors are increasingly drawn to solutions that enhance efficiency in existing industries. While most AI-driven robotics startups have focused on warehouse automation, Aescape is tapping into a different kind of efficiency, one that addresses rising consumer demand for recovery and self-care.

The numbers suggest the bet is paying off. Since launching at Equinox, Aescape has installed 40 robotic massage tables and expects to deploy an additional 400 this year. The company has already booked $23 million in revenue, a figure that underscores both the demand for AI-driven wellness experiences and the potential for scalability.

“This is really a glimmer of what is possible,” Litman said. “Our first six months in the market focused on launching with strategic partners and introducing fully autonomous robotic massage to consumers, driving both high utilization and repeat usage rates. With fresh capital, we’re doubling down on these goals, catapulting growth for both our business and our partners as we expand into hospitality, professional sports, fitness, and mainstream markets.”