The global pet industry is in full swing: this sector is expected to grow significantly over the next decade due to increased spending by pet owners and longer pet lifespans. According to a recent Bloomberg Intelligence report, the industry is expected to grow from its current value of $320 billion to nearly $500 billion by 2030.
As is always the case in an emerging sector, innovation is around every corner. Something Leap Venture Studio, a venture organization formed in partnership between Mars Petcare, a leading pet care company and Michelson Found Animals, an animal welfare organization, certainly knows.
Leap’s DNA is in driving innovation and developing solutions within the pet ecosystem. On June 13, Leap Venture Studio presented its 8th Cohort Demo Day where pet lovers and industry insiders could get a sneak peek at all things pet. The online pitch event showcased the advancements of six innovative companies from around the world. We take a quick tour here:
- GekkoVet: Based in Helsinki, Finland, GekkoVet is an online diagnostic and treatment tool created by veterinarians for veterinary professionals. It helps diagnose pets quickly by suggesting potential conditions and treatments based on an extensive database of symptoms and clinical signs, making it an invaluable on-demand resource for veterinarians around the world.
- Innovative Pet Lab: Operating out of Atlanta, Georgia, Innovative Pet Lab provides science-driven at-home testing solutions for pet wellness. Focused on gut health, this company offers pet owners the ability to perform comprehensive evaluations and receive personalized solutions, addressing a major gap in pet health care with simple, mail-in sample kits.
- Omni: London-based Omni is on a mission to revolutionize pet nutrition with veterinary-grade, sustainable, and delicious pet food. Using novel and plant proteins, Omni products aim to extend the lifespan and health of pets, addressing common health issues such as obesity and allergies while maintaining reach- ability and taste.
- Scooch: Another Londoner pet startup, Scooch offers an AI-powered holistic pet health subscription service. This platform provides virtual check-ups, personalized health insights, and tailored treatments, making proactive pet health care accessible and convenient for modern pet parents, especially the growing demographic of Gen Z and millennial pet owners.
- VetVerifi: Based in Nashville, Tennessee, VetVerifi is changing the pet economy by streamlining the process of verifying vaccination records. By connecting veterinary clinics and pet service providers through a real-time API, VetVerifi ensures seamless data transfer and accessibility, improving efficiency and reducing failure to manage pet health care records.
- WIMBA: Returning to Europe, direct from Krakow, Poland, WIMBA uses AI and 4D printing technology to revolutionize pet orthopedics. By enabling rapid, accurate creation of custom orthotics and prosthetics from video scans, WIMBA provides affordable, lightweight, and efficient solutions to pets suffering from orthopedic issue, which significantly reduces the time and cost associated with traditional methods.
In addition to showing us where real pet tech innovation comes from, Leap Venture Studio also introduced its first social impact company, BestyBnB, as a special seventh member of the cohort. BestyBnB is a technical platform dedicated to bridging the gap between human social services and animal welfare agencies. It offers crisis care and safety programs that provide temporary, safe housing for the pets of individuals in crisis, such as survivors of domestic violence. This innovative “Airbnb for pets” ensures that pets are housed safely until they are reunited with their owners, improving human and animal welfare.
This year’s team, selected from over 200 applications, showcases the potential and diversity of solutions in the pet care industry. From veterinary diagnostics and at-home wellness testing to sustainable pet food and advanced orthopedics, these startups are set to change the future of pet care. The addition of BestyBnB highlights the program’s dedication to social impact, ensuring that innovation not only advances pet health but also supports pet owners in their time of need.