Canadian pet food brand secures funds for growth

The company plans to expand further across North America.

1 Healthybud

Canadian pet food brand Healthybud has successfully closed a strategic funding round of CAD$1.5 million (US$1 million), positioning the firm for further expansion across North America.

The financing round was led by Investissement Québec, and the company acted as an agent of the government of Canada’s province of Québec. Additional backing was ensured by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and experts in pet nutrition, marketing, logistics and consumer packaged goods, Healthybud said in a statement. 

“Notable investors include John Hart, founder and former CEO of Eagle Pack Pet Food. The founder of Zuke’s, a natural dog treat brand acquired by Nestlé Purina PetCare in 2014, also joined the round,” the business said in a statement provided to Petfoodindustry.com.

Healthybud says it intends to invest the fresh capital into ramping up its presence in Canada and the US, boosting digital marketing efforts, reinforcing key partnerships, rolling out new product variations, and also scaling inventory.

Kyle Feigenbaum, the chief executive of Healthybud and its co-founder, commented that the company is “incredibly proud to announce this funding milestone — especially at a time when access to capital has become increasingly challenging for startups like ours.” 

“The mix of institutional support and private investments underscores widespread confidence in Healthybud’s mission, momentum, and leadership,” according to Feigenbaum. “We’re excited to take Healthybud to new heights, becoming a trusted staple for the next generation of pet parents, as we continue to set new standards in pet wellness and nutrition.”

Healthybud says the business is on track to reach a CAD$10 million (US$6.9 million) annual run rate by the end of 2026.

“Our involvement will enable the company to continue its development and accelerate its commercialization in the North American market,” said Bicha Ngo, the president and chief executive of Investissement Québec.

The Montreal-based business describes its product range as “superfood-packed treats, meal toppers and freeze-dried raw food for dogs.” Healthybud’s products are available at its online store, other major online retailers, as well as more than 1,000 stores across North America. The pet food producer hopes to expand its presence to more pet specialty retailers in the near future.

Egyptian company develops insect-based protein for pet food industry

Egyptian company Proteina Feeds is developing insect-based protein for the animal feed and pet food industries, using financial and technical support obtained from European institutions.

Proteina Feeds is “a company from Egypt offering sustainable solutions for farmers and animal food systems, and ensuring food security for future generations. With the support of the EBRD and the European Union (EU), Proteina is expanding its insect-based protein and gearing up to revolutionize the pet food industry,” the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)  said in a statement.

In 2024, the Egyptian business launched a sister company, Proteina Organics, which is advancing a project to launch the country’s first large-scale state-of-the-art black soldier fly larvae production facility.

“Creating a habitat for the larvae nevertheless proved difficult, as they require stable climatic conditions,” the bank said. 

Benefiting from the EBRD's international expertise in sustainable climate control, Proteina developed its first production facility which is fitted with an innovative water-based cooling system. 

“The company is now working toward reaching full capacity, with the goal of upcycling 15 tons of waste daily,” the statement said. 

Ashraf El Sharkaway, the owner of Proteina Feeds, “and his team identified the petfood market as a promising opportunity to capitalise on their innovative protein and enter the local market. With EBRD and EU support, Proteina is expanding its value chain and producing an organic pet food product made from sustainable insect protein,” according to the EBRD.

Proteina Feeds says it has an animal protein production of around 10,000 tons per year. 

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