PetSmart Charities and its Canadian counterpart are nonprofit organizations dedicated to animal welfare, aiming to create a world where every pet has a loving, permanent home. They successfully facilitate the adoption of over 400,000 dogs and cats annually through their extensive adoption programs at PetSmart stores and various sponsored events. As a leading contributor in North America for funding initiatives directed at aiding pets, PetSmart Charities prioritizes financial support for spay and neuter services. This focus addresses the critical issue of pet overpopulation, helping communities manage and reduce the number of homeless animals.
Leap Venture Studio is an accelerator based in Los Angeles that focuses on the pet care industry. It partners with Mars Petcare, Michelson Found Animals, and R/GA to provide startups with networks, resources, and expertise across strategy, technology, and design. Each cohort comprises six to eight companies and runs for 12 weeks, with the program tailored to the specific needs of each participant. The studio ends with a live pitch event to investors and industry leaders, and selected startups may receive up to $200K in funding.
Founded in 2013, Anterra Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam. It specializes in investing in fast-growing companies that aim to make the global food supply chain safer, more efficient, and sustainable. The firm focuses on supporting companies commercializing novel technologies and services across the food supply chain, from agro inputs to consumer safety. Anterra typically invests EUR 1M to EUR 15M per company, taking significant minority equity positions and actively engaging with management teams for long-term growth.
Founded in 1995, SOSV is a global venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey. It focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments in deep tech innovations, primarily in bio-tech/life sciences and hardware/robotics sectors, with a commitment to human and planetary health.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.
A global consumer-focused private equity firm founded in 1989, L Catterton specializes in investments across various consumer sectors such as food and beverage, retail and restaurants, consumer products and services, media and marketing services. The firm operates globally with offices in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Bpifrance is a financial institution dedicated to supporting companies throughout their development stages, particularly those preparing for stock market listing and seeking credit equity. The organization provides a range of financial solutions, including financing, innovation assistance, and capital investment. By integrating various entities such as OSEO and CDC Entreprises, Bpifrance aims to deliver tailored financial support that addresses the specific needs of businesses. The institution is committed to fostering innovation and helping companies transition toward sustainable growth, ensuring they are well-equipped to face future challenges.
Founded in 2005, Y Combinator is a California-based startup accelerator and early-stage venture capital firm. It provides funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies across various industries, with a focus on technology, healthcare, and finance. The organization helps founders refine their business models and products through an intensive three-month program in Silicon Valley, culminating in Demo Day presentations to investors.
R/GA Ventures, an initiative of the global advertising agency R/GA, supports early and growth-stage startups focused on connected products and services. Based in London, with a global reach mirroring R/GA's international presence, the Ventures team offers more than just financial capital. They provide access to R/GA's creative talent, extensive client network, and innovative program partners. Their flexible financing terms accommodate businesses at various stages of funding and growth, investing at current market valuations. By connecting startups with industry leaders, R/GA Ventures fosters innovation and disruption in the Internet of Things and connected spaces sectors.
Dane Creek Capital provides financial and management support to emerging companies in the companion animal sector through strategic investments. The firm focuses on long-term opportunities, considering current trends and shifts in pet owner demographics. Its primary area of interest is pet food products that utilize sustainable ingredients, reflecting a commitment to environmentally responsible practices while addressing the evolving needs of pet owners.
Founded in 2006, Techstars is a global platform that supports and invests in early-stage technology companies. Through its mentorship-driven accelerator programs, seed investments, and venture capital fund, Techstars fosters innovation across various sectors worldwide.
Central Garden & Pet is a company based in Walnut Creek, California, that has been dedicated to nurturing happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With a focus on the pet and garden industries, Central offers a wide range of innovative and trusted products designed to enhance lawns, gardens, and the well-being of pets. The company boasts a portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands, including Pennington, Nylabone, Kaytee, Amdro, and Aqueon. Central Garden & Pet employs over 6,300 individuals across North America and Europe, supported by strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The company’s mission is to lead the future of its sectors while fostering community growth and well-being.
Founded in New York in 2010 by Craig Shapiro, Collaborative Fund is an investment firm focused on creative fields within technology and media. It invests based on the growth of the creative class and collaborative consumption.
Established in 2016, New Paradigm Investment is a company builder-type accelerator based in Seoul, South Korea. It focuses on investing in startups operating within the fourth industrial revolution and healthcare sectors, supporting their growth at various stages.
Founded in 2009 and based in New York City, BoxGroup is an early-stage investment fund focusing on pre-seed to Series A rounds. It invests globally, with a primary focus on New York City, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. The firm typically allocates between $50,000 and $250,000 per investment across various sectors including consumer, enterprise, fintech, healthcare, life science, marketplace, synthetic biology, and climate.
Five Seasons Ventures, established in 2016, is a Paris-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies operating in the food and agriculture sectors. The firm focuses on Europe, with a particular interest in Italy and France, and considers investments outside the region. It typically allocates between €2 million to €10 million per investment, taking significant minority stakes and board seats, often as part of a syndicate. Five Seasons Ventures supports innovative companies that cater to evolving consumer preferences, such as healthier food, convenience, cleaner labels, and sustainability, by providing capital, technology expertise, industry connections, and operational support.
Founded in 2016, Digitalis Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in health technologies & services, life sciences, and animal health sectors. The firm partners with entrepreneurs across all stages of venture investing, spanning the full continuum of the healthcare ecosystem.
Founded in Singapore in 2017, Antler is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests globally. It focuses on backing exceptional founders from day one, offering a global community network of co-founders, talent, advisors, expansion support, and capital across various sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and more.
Banfield Foundation donates medical supplies and resources to charitable partners in need, assists dogs, people, and communities in crisis, and enables veterinary professionals to provide compassionate and inclusive preventive veterinary care in underserved and diverse locations.
Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011, that manages investment portfolios and provides asset management services to clients across sectors, with a focus on software as a service companies, and analyzes market trends to inform its investment decisions while operating in finance, technology, and real estate.
Apiam Animal Health is a prominent provider of veterinary services in Australia, specializing in the health and welfare of production and mixed animals. The company operates over 100 veterinary practices staffed by experienced veterinarians with expertise in various sectors, including dairy, feedlot, pigs, sheep, equine, and companion animals. Apiam Animal Health is vertically integrated, offering a range of services that include veterinary wholesale, warehousing, and logistics. Its primary revenue is generated from the Dairy and Mixed segments, underscoring its commitment to supporting the agricultural and veterinary industries.
Rover Group Inc is a leading online marketplace that connects pet parents with a vast network of pet care providers, including dog walkers and pet sitters. The platform facilitates a range of services, such as overnight boarding, in-home pet sitting, doggy daycare, and drop-in visits, operating across the U.S., Canada, and several European countries. Rover empowers its community of pet care providers by offering them tools to manage their businesses effectively, including scheduling, communication with pet parents, and payment processing. In addition to its marketplace services, Rover also produces and retails high-quality pet accessories, such as durable PVC pet products, including beds, crates, and gates. These products are designed for longevity and safety, employing environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods. Rover's commitment to enhancing the lives of pets and their owners drives its business model, ensuring that both pet parents and caregivers can experience reliable and trustworthy care solutions.
MassChallenge is a global startup accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries. Founded in 2009, it provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities through its programs worldwide.
Animalcare is a UK-based veterinary sales and marketing company that specializes in animal health products and medical services. Formed from the merger of Animalcare and Ecuphar NV, it operates as a pan-European entity with a significant presence in seven countries and exports to approximately 50 global markets. The company employs nearly 100 sales representatives and collaborates with 28 agents throughout Europe. Animalcare offers a diverse portfolio that includes 50 licensed drugs, eight vaccines, and over 100 care and nutraceutical products. With combined annual revenues exceeding £80 million, the company focuses on developing its own pharmaceutical products while also pursuing distribution partnerships and product acquisitions to enhance its offerings in the animal health sector.
Founded in 2014, Jinding Capital is a prominent venture capital firm based in Beijing, China. It focuses on investing in innovative companies operating within the consumer, industrial, science and technology sectors across China.
Better Choice Company Inc. is a pet health and wellness company focused on nutrition-based solutions, including hemp-derived CBD supplements for dogs and cats. It offers online sales of pet foods, flea and tick products, nutritional products, and related supplies. The company originated as Sport Endurance, Inc., renamed to Better Choice Company in 2019, and was incorporated in 2001. It is based in Oldsmar, Florida. In May 2019 it was acquired by TruPet LLC via a reverse merger. The business emphasizes health-focused, natural products and serves pet owners seeking wellness-oriented options.
Nestle Purina is a global leader in the pet care industry, focused on enhancing the lives of pets. The company produces and markets a wide range of pet food, treats, and cat litter, catering to the needs of pet owners worldwide. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow, Friskies, Beneful, and Purina One, among others. With a commitment to quality nutrition and care, Nestle Purina aims to improve the well-being of cats and dogs, offering products designed to meet their dietary and health needs. Through its extensive range of over 40 brands, the company continues to play a vital role in the pet care market.
Founded in 2013, Bluepoint Partners is a venture capital firm based in Daejeon, South Korea. It invests primarily in biotechnology, medical, cleantech, data, artificial intelligence, food tech, healthcare, technology, and industrial tech sectors. The firm also operates accelerator programs for startups in South Korea.
Valor Equity Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm founded in 1995 that focuses on growth investments in the United States. It partners with growth- and expansion-stage companies across sectors including consumer, infrastructure, industrial services, manufacturing, software and information technology, providing operational expertise to address growth and scale challenges. The firm engages in both control and non-control investments and targets technology-enabled companies, including software and SaaS businesses, with a regional focus on North America. It works with management teams to accelerate expansion and transform industries through disciplined capital allocation and strategic support.
White Star Capital is a global multi-stage technology investment firm and venture platform headquartered in New York, with a presence across North America, Europe and Asia. It backs exceptional entrepreneurs building ambitious, internationally scalable tech companies, helping portfolio founders scale their businesses from Series A onwards through its experience, networks and value-add support. The firm invests across software, information technology and digital assets, operating a core venture program and a dedicated digital asset strategy that backs crypto networks and blockchain-enabled businesses. Its offices span New York, London, Montreal, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong, enabling it to partner with founders to expand internationally.
Lerer Hippeau is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in New York City, founded in 2010. It focuses on early-stage investments and supports founders through their growth, investing across a broad range of sectors including consumer and enterprise software, healthcare, fintech, hardware, and other technology-enabled industries. The firm emphasizes hands-on involvement and long-term partnership, staying alongside founders as they build iconic companies. Its portfolio includes notable companies such as Allbirds, Guideline, K Health, MIRROR, Zipline, ZenBusiness, and Bowery Farming, among others. Lerer Hippeau aims to help founders translate product vision into scalable businesses and to build enduring brands.
Founded in 2010, 500 Global is a global venture capital firm with over $2 billion in assets under management. It invests in early-stage technology companies across 80+ countries, focusing on markets where technology and innovation can generate long-term value. With over 190 members based in more than 25 countries, the firm provides funding, mentorship, and connections to startups worldwide.
First Round Capital is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that concentrates on seed- and early-stage investments, often supporting pre-revenue startups across sectors including enterprise software, fintech, healthcare, consumer, hardware, artificial intelligence, and web3. The firm emphasizes a community-driven approach, providing founder-focused services, mentorship, and access to a broad founder network to help companies grow. It operates nationally with offices in San Francisco and New York and seeks to take an active role in portfolio companies to aid scaling and access to follow-on funding.
Founded in 2002, Invest Nebraska is a venture capital firm based in Lincoln, Nebraska. It specializes in seed and early-stage investments across various industries, with a focus on companies located in or willing to relocate to Nebraska.
Musti Group is a pet care retailer with an omnichannel presence in Finland, Sweden, and Norway, offering pet foods and a wide range of non-food products from its own and third-party brands through owned and franchised stores and online channels. It provides grooming, training, dietary planning, and veterinary services, with veterinary offerings in Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The network includes store brands such as Musti ja Mirri, Arken Zoo, Musti, Djurmagazinet, Peten Koiratarvike, Vetzoo and Animail.
Established in 2021 and headquartered in Turin, Italy, IH1 is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in European software-enabled startups incubated by Mamazen.
Founded in Japan, Mitsui & Co. is a global general trading company with diverse business areas including energy, machinery, chemicals, food, textile, logistics, finance, and more. It engages in procurement, supply, sales, investment, and project development across various industries worldwide.
Established in 2017, The Invention Lab is an innovative venture capital firm based in Seoul, South Korea. It specializes in seed investments across consumer tech, digital healthcare, vertical O2O services, and software as a service sectors.
HAX is a global venture capital-backed program dedicated to accelerating startups with a hardware element. Operating in San Francisco and Shenzhen, HAX focuses on rapid prototyping and iteration, helping teams develop scalable business plans and secure funding.
Mercia Ventures is an early-stage to scale-up investment firm. It supports ambitious UK businesses looking for growth investment delivered through our national footprint.
Founded in 2015, FJ Labs is a New York-based venture capital firm focusing on stage-agnostic investments in marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. Their investment range varies from $50,000 to $5,000,000, typically at seed or series A stages.
PetLove is an e-commerce platform that specializes in providing a diverse array of pet products and supplies. Originally established as PetSuperMarket in 1999, the company rebranded to PetLove after 12 years to strengthen its focus on fostering relationships between pet owners and their pets. The online store features over 10,000 items, including pet food, veterinary health products, and accessories for various animals such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and rodents. Customers benefit from a loyalty program that offers discounts from their first purchase, enhancing the shopping experience. PetLove aims to ensure convenience by delivering products directly to customers' doorsteps.
Established in Singapore in 1974, Temasek Holdings is a lender that specializes in debt financing. It focuses on driving economic transformation by increasing middle-income populations, developing comparative advantages, and fostering emerging champions across various industries such as financial services, transportation, industrial, consumer goods, real estate, telecommunications, media, technology, and life sciences.
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture fund founded in 2017, operating from New York. It invests globally in pre-seed deals, focusing on purpose-driven teams across money, health, and work verticals.
Zenex Animal Health is an animal health company specializing in the livestock and poultry sectors. It develops a comprehensive range of therapeutic and nutritional products, including formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, wellness products, and diagnostics. Zenex aims to support veterinary and farming professionals by providing essential medical products and services that promote the complete healthcare of various animal species. Through its offerings, the company addresses the diverse needs of animal healthcare, ensuring that animals receive the necessary care and support for their well-being.
Founded in 2011, Slow Ventures is a San Francisco-based early-stage venture capital firm. It invests in innovative companies operating at the intersection of technology, science, society, and culture across various sectors such as software, biotechnology, e-commerce, fintech, and more.