Franzisca Gartenmann, Co-Founder of KEEN Wellbeing shares insights into Europe’s first active recovery club, KEEN, that harnesses the power of breath, heat, and cold to enhance recovery through group, solo, or community experiences. Franzisca is a University of St.Gallen graduate in Economics and brings experience from the insurance and biotech industries.
Who are you and how do you most like to spend your time?
I’m Frankie, an entrepreneur based in Zurich, and the people around me are at the core of everything I do. Whether in work or personal life – I don’t really separate the two – they both revolve around the connections I build. I love the exchange of ideas, the relationships, and the sense of community.[PE1] Most of my time is spent running our recovery studio in central Zurich, where I’m focused on building up the brand. What I enjoy most, though, is meeting and connecting with the people who come in for our classes. It’s in those moments of shared energy that I feel most alive.
You are a University of St.Gallen alumna turned entrepreneur. Tell us about your studies there and how it has shaped who you became today.
I started my studies back in 2017, specialising in Economics. During my studies, I worked 40-60% to afford the freedom and independence of living away from my hometown. Despite having been terrible in Mathematics in high school, a friend convinced me to choose Economics, and I eventually started to enjoy the courses. Looking back, I did not attend many lectures or seminars, but mainly used the time shortly before exams to study – as I am sure many other students do as well.
My favourite subjects were the electives taught by Prof. Dr. Christoph FreiProf. Dr. Christoph Frei in the field of international politics. I was always very interested in that area, which led me to research Eurocentrism for my bachelor’s thesis. A few years earlier, I had founded an NGO, and the connection between development aid and my research significantly shaped our approach and work.
What I loved most about St.Gallen was the wide range of extracurricular opportunities. I was in the TEDx Organising Committee in 2018, where I had the chance to select our speakers and was in charge of the moderation. The blend of a small university town with a global outlook, fostered by events like TEDx and START, has undoubtedly had a lasting impact on me.
Honestly, there’s a bit of a stigma at St.Gallen that most graduates end up in consulting or banking, but I knew that path wasn’t for me. As a student, you can get enormous exposure to entrepreneurship; there are numerous touchpoints where you can get in contact with high-profile speakers and opportunities, such as START summit and also St.Gallen Symposium. In my view, St.Gallen offers an incredible environment for building a strong network – something that’s often underrated.
How did the idea behind KEEN Wellbeing come about?
To share a little of my journey and why I shifted my focus to health after my studies, my time at a biotech startup plays a key role. I was the first employee there, building the sales and marketing department from the ground up, and ended up staying for five years. That experience affirmed my passion for the startup world, and I realised it’s where I want to belong long-term. Around the same time, I pursued a 2-year training course in trauma therapy, which opened my eyes to the importance of mental health. I not only learned a lot about trauma and the role of our nervous system, but also how powerful somatic tools like meditation and breathwork can be. That combination of personal growth and professional experience led me to focus on health in a much deeper way.
Through a mutual friend, I was introduced to my co-founder David, someone who shares my passion for health and well-being. From the start, we connected over our belief that recovery is essential to thriving in today’s fast-paced world – something we’ve both experienced personally. We’ve noticed that many people push through long, stressful workdays, only to cap them off with intense workouts, leaving little room for their nervous systems to truly recover.
With KEEN, we’re dedicated to making active recovery accessible, empowering people to improve their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. At the core of what we do is helping regulate the nervous system. We use science-backed protocols that harness the power of breath, heat, and cold, offering immersive journeys for recovery. Whether you prefer expertly guided group classes or a solo experience where you set your own pace, KEEN is designed to meet people where they are. But more than that, we’re about fostering community. You can join our social events, connect with friends, or meet new people along the way. We’re also expanding our corporate program to bring the benefits of recovery into the workplace.
What has been a recent success on your journey?
Two of our biggest milestones so far have been securing our flagship location in central Zurich and closing our pre-seed funding round earlier this year, just a few months after launching. But for me, what matters most is the incredible group of people who believe in what we’re building and are genuinely passionate about supporting our vision. Having so many talented and committed individuals wanting to work with us is what truly inspires and drives me forward.
What’s a current challenge you are facing?
As an entrepreneur, you’re always short on time, money, and people and it’s no different for us. But being in the wellness space adds another layer of pressure: There’s an unspoken expectation that, as founders, we should be immune to burnout and always prioritise our health. Finding that balance is a challenge I’m constantly navigating. That is also why we started “Founder’s Night”, to create a space where founders can talk about their well-being.
My journey with KEEN Wellbeing has been more than just building a business, it’s been a mirror, reflecting my fears and limiting beliefs, and offering countless life lessons. Looking back, I realize that entrepreneurship has been the greatest catalyst for my personal growth. While I didn’t have all the answers when I started KEEN Wellbeing, the challenges and unknowns have pushed me to evolve in ways I never imagined, and that journey of learning has been the most rewarding part.
What’s the best advice you’ve received recently?
Since the beginning, we’ve been fortunate enough to have a remarkable group of people who support our business and generously share their advice. One piece of wisdom from a friend has really stayed with me: “Tell me where you avoid stillness, and I’ll show you the patterns in your life.” That insight has resonated deeply, reminding me how much personal reflection is intertwined with the entrepreneurial journey.
Tell us about your vision.
Our vision is to expand into Germany first, with the goal of having a presence across Europe. We’re focused on delivering a unique, multi-sensory experience and building a strong community around it. Our mission is to make a real impact in the wellness industry, helping people feel their best and live healthier, more balanced lives.
What’s one last message you would like to share with our Women with Impact community and current students at University of St.Gallen?
First, as a University of St.Gallen student, don’t limit yourself to the traditional paths of banking and consulting – explore entrepreneurship. Get involved with something like the START organizing committee, or even start your own venture while you study.
Second, ask yourself: What’s something courageous you want to experience? Then go for it. KEEN Wellbeing began with a simple idea, and within a year, we’ve guided over 3,000 people through our classes. There is so much that could’ve and did go wrong, but for now it’s been one hell of an adventure. And whatever happens, at 80 it will be one hell of a story to tell.
Lastly, remember that without your health, nothing else matters. Make it a priority.
About the author:
Women with Impact – a Platform Founded by Clara Zoé Richter
Clara Zoé Richter is the Founder of Women With Impact, a platform providing women a voice by showcasing the positive impact they have on society. She interviews former heads of state, global leaders, and entrepreneurs including Kerry Kennedy, Susan Rockefeller, H.E. Rosalia Arteaga Serrano and Jane Wurwand. Their stories have resonated with Women With Impact’s readers, igniting discussions about the power of women’s actions in shaping a better world. Women With Impact is read daily by global decision makers, C-Level executives and social change-makers. Clara is a speaker, interview guest and moderator – among others, she spoke on a panel at this year’s St.Gallen Symposium. She is a member of the Global Shaper Community, an initiative by the World Economic Forum, where she leads projects focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Clara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St.Gallen and a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the University College London.