Purina awards $25,000 and support to innovative pet care startups from the U.S., Canada and Australia in the eighth annual Pet Care Innovation Prize.
The winners showcase diverse solutions, including enrichment toys, specialized cat toothbrushes, alternative protein pet treats, a revolutionary pet health monitoring microchip and a platform for pet foster care.
Winners
1. SwiftPaws, Melbourne, Florida
Website: swiftpaws.com
Focus: Playful enrichment products for pets, featured on Shark Tank in 2022
2. BestyBnB, Kansas City, Missouri
Website: bestybnb.com
Focus: Securing safe, temporary housing for pets during challenging situations
3. Arch Pet Food, Chicago, Illinois
Website: archpetfood.com
Focus: Alternative protein pet treats and food, food-allergen friendly and sustainable
4. RYERCAT, Vancouver, Canada
Website: ryercat.com
Focus: Redefining feline oral health with a toothbrush and dental line designed for cats
5. VetChip, Perth, Austraila
Website: vetchip.com.au
Focus: Biotechnology for monitoring, analyzing and detecting pet health issues
Prizes
Each winner receives $25,000, mentorship and participation in an accelerator boot camp at Purina's headquarters.
"At Purina, our purpose revolves around enriching the lives of pets. Collaborating with startups that share our enthusiasm for pets and continuous innovation allows us to mutually inspire and learn from each other," say Blair Morgan, co-lead of Purina's 9 Square Ventures
Pitch Competition: Culminating pitch competition in March at Global Pet Expo, with a grand prize of an additional $25,000 in cash from Purina
About the Pet Care Innovation Prize
A collaborative effort of Purina's 9 Square Ventures and Active Capital, supporting early-stage pet care startups addressing pet and pet owner needs in health, wellness, services, technology and food.
For more information visit petcareinnovation.net
