Five pet care startups have been selected as finalists for the ninth annual Pet Care Innovation Prize, sponsored by Purina. Each finalist will receive $25,000 and mentorship from Purina, a prominent player in the pet care industry. This initiative supports startups aiming to expand within the global pet care market, which is valued at approximately $324.19 billion.
The finalists were chosen from nearly 150 applicants worldwide. The selected startups include VEA, an AI platform from Alexandria, Virginia, that focuses on predicting diseases and improving veterinary workflows; Maven, a New York-based health sensor company that monitors pets’ health; Ten Lives from San Francisco, which produces animal proteins for cats using fermentation technology; ShopDot Pet, a Missoula, Montana platform that helps pet care providers sell essentials; and Yak9 Chews, an Austin, Texas brand specializing in all-natural cheese chews for dogs.
In addition to the monetary prize, the finalists will receive guidance from Purina’s Pet Care Innovation team and Active Capital. They will also participate in an accelerator boot camp at Purina’s headquarters, which includes sessions with industry experts.
The finalists will compete for an additional $25,000 grand prize in March during a pitch competition at the Global Pet Expo, where they will present their business models to Purina executives and industry investors.
Purina, through its 9 Square Ventures group, collaborates with Active Capital to offer the Pet Care Innovation Prize, which has been in existence since 2016. This initiative aims to support early-stage companies that are innovating in various aspects of pet care, including health, technology, and food products. 9 Square Ventures has been investing in emerging pet care startups since its inception in 2014, utilizing Purina’s resources and expertise to enhance the development of these businesses.