Othership
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Social Bathhouse, Wellness, Spa |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Canada |
Number of locations | 4 |
Key people | Robbie Bent (CEO), Emily Bent (Co-founder) |
| Products | Sauna, Ice bath, guided wellness classes |
| Website | https://www.othership.us/ |
Othership, is a social wellness brand based in North America that provides guided sauna and ice bath experiences, along with emotional wellness classes and programming focused on connection. The brand was established in Toronto, Canada, in 2018 and operates locations in Toronto and New York City.[1][2][3]
History
Othership was co-founded in 2018 by five individuals: Robbie Bent, Emily Bent, Myles Farmer, Amanda Laine, and Harrison Taylor.[4][5][6][7] The brand originated from the belief that wellness should be a social experience rather than an isolating one. It began as outdoor ice bath gatherings in Toronto and developed into a community known as the "Inward Underground."[8][9] Over time, the brand has expanded its offerings to include immersive experiences that emphasize connection without the use of phones or alcohol. Its events, known as "sober raves," along with hot-cold guided rituals, have gained attention for their approach to fostering connections among participants.[10][11]
The company opened its first commercial location on Adelaide Street in Toronto in 2022, followed by a second location in Yorkville in 2023.[12] Expansion into the United States began with a location in the Flatiron District in 2024, featuring a multi-level sauna that offers various sessions integrating sauna use, cold plunging, and group rituals.[13] A facility was established in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 2025, covering approximately 6,500 square feet and accommodating around 100 individuals.[14][15][16][17][18]
The company raised approximately $1.3 million in seed funding. In January 2023, it completed an $8 million Series A funding round led by Vine Ventures, with participation from Rocana Ventures, 5D World, and other investors.[19] In 2025, Othership secured between $8.5 million and $11.3 million through a SAFE note to support its growth in the United States.[20] The analytics firm Tracxn estimates that the total funding raised by the company is approximately $20.6 million.[21][22]
Company concept
The facilities include large saunas and cold plunge pools, along with lounges designed for social interaction. The programming features guided sessions that incorporate breathwork, music, and light effects.[23][24][25]
Unstructured "free flow" hours are available, along with alcohol-free cultural events that include live music and comedy. Co-founder Harry Taylor mentioned in an interview that the spaces incorporate elements such as music, patterned light, guided meditations, and essential oils, which blend traditional practices with a new type of experience.[26][27][28]
References
- ^ Stephanie Chen. "Othership Expands in New York With First Brooklyn Outpost". Hospitality Design. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Sweat, Sip & Chill: Inside Williamsburg's Biggest Wellness Block Party". INTERNATIONISTA. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Meltzer, Marisa (2026-01-14). "Inside New York City's Sauna Wars: The Real Heated Rivalry Is at the Bathhouse". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Othership — Immersive wellness experiences. | Founders, Inc". f.inc. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Team, S. (2025-05-30). "Othership Founders Emily and Robbie Bent Share How They Find Sanctuary, Even on the Road". S Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Braun, Rachel (2025-10-17). "Sweat Equity: Inside Tech's Hottest Sauna Scene with Othership CEO Robbie Bent". Braun & Brains. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Inside Othership, a booze-free alternative to the King West bacchanal". Toronto Life. 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ Stokes, Samantha. "NYC's tech in-crowd is making this cold-plunge and sauna studio the hottest spot in town". Business Insider. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Staff, Sharp (2025-05-30). "Othership Co-Founders Robbie and Emily Bent on Finding Balance and Sanctuary on the Road". Sharp Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "New Neighbor: Othership". Flatiron NoMad. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Kirsch, Melissa (2025-10-01). "Can an Ancient Ritual Fix Our Loneliness Problem?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "The Cult of Wellness: Othership, Nutbar and the expensive, obsessive quest for a perfect life". Toronto Life. 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Dazed (2024-08-16). "Inside New York's exclusive new 'wellness social clubs'". Dazed. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "As Gen Z Looks for Community, Amanda Laine Guides Them into 185°F Heat". newsweek.com. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
- ^ Patrick Sisson. "Picking up steam: How sweating with your friends became the hot new wellness trend". fastcompany.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ Staff, Brooklyn Eagle (2025-09-10). "Othership to open first Brooklyn location in Williamsburg". Brooklyn Eagle. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Othership Expands in New York With First Brooklyn Outpost". Hospitality Design. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Ostertag, Elizabeth (2025-09-12). "Othership Opening in Brooklyn, With More US Expansion on the Way". Athletech News. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Look, Aimée (2025-06-26). "Wellness startup Othership raises $11.3M to fund U.S. expansion". The Logic. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Othership raises $11.3 million to expand sober wellness concept in the US | spabusiness.com news". spabusiness.com. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ "Wellness Start-Up Othership Raises $11.3 Million". beautymatter.com. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Sette, Sam (2025-07-08). "Othership Adds Funding, Plans New Format". Fitt Insider. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Aletti, Vince; Shaw, Helen; Seibert, Brian; Pearce, Sheldon; Arn, Jackson; Brody, Richard; Syme, Rachel; Bua, Jane (2025-03-07). "Othership, the SoulCycle of Spas". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Wolfgang, Ashley (2024-07-22). "One Night at This Sauna and Ice-Bath Club Gave Me a Sober Hangover". The Cut. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Magazine, Sam Schube | Photography by Maddy Rotman for WSJ (2025-09-12). "How the Sauna Became the Hottest Place to Network". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Livingston, Mercey (2025-07-28). "I Tried New York's Hottest Social Sauna Spot, Othership". Popsugar. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Robert, JaMir (2025-07-17). "The Cold Plunge I Didn't Know I Needed: Finding Calm with Othership & GoingDry.co". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
- ^ Gasbarrino, Melaina (2025-09-04). "On The Immersive Experience at Othership with Robbie Bent". STYLE Canada. Retrieved 2026-02-09.