Leap Venture Studio announces it is accepting applications for its eighth studio program, offering a unique opportunity for early-stage pet care startups from around the world to receive support and guidance from top industry experts. Selected startups will participate in a 12-week hybrid program kicking off on March 4 in London and ending with Demo Day presentations on June 10 in New York City.
Leap Venture Studio & Academy was started as a partnership between Mars Petcare (the largest pet care organization in the world) and Michelson Found Animals, a leading animal welfare organization. The Studio Program is supported by world-class services platform R/GA Ventures. Together, they are driven by their mission to make the world a better place for pets by making pet care more accessible, affordable and sustainable for pet parents.
In pursuit of this mission, the Studio Program offers a tailored experience for each startup, pairing founders with industry leaders, award-winning strategists, technologists, designers and consultants from the Leap Venture Studio team, along with access to the growing network of prior accelerator graduates. Furthermore, selected startups will receive an investment of US$200,000, custom mentorship and valuable assistance in preparing for future fundraising.
The program will culminate with a Demo Day, where founders will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to prominent investors from the Mars, Michelson Found Animals and R/GA networks.
The selection criteria for program entrants is focused on fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the pet care industry. Leap Venture Studio is proud to note that 70% of previous program founders have been women or individuals from underrepresented minority groups.
Previous accelerator graduates have spearheaded innovation in sustainability, senior pet care, digitization of pet services, veterinary care, cat healthcare, premium nutrition and efforts to end pet homelessness. Since its inception in 2018, the 45 companies that have completed the program have collectively raised over $200 million USD in follow-on capital, along with two successful exits.
If you are an early-stage pet care startup passionate about driving meaningful change in the industry, we invite you to apply for the Spring 2024 edition of the Leap Venture Studio accelerator program. Please note that applications close on October 15, 2023.
