Here at Startup Savant, we love startup culture. That’s why we identified the most exciting, innovative, and creative pet startups to watch in 2024 and beyond. From digital veterinary services to tailored-made food for dogs — these are the top pet startups to follow.
Top Pet Startups to Watch
Every year, new startups pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation, tech, and industry-disrupting business models. We’ve rounded up the top pet startups of 2024 that startup lovers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs should follow.
Disclaimer: With so many exciting pet companies launching and growing worldwide, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the startups that are listed below are not officially ranked and are listed in no particular order.
1. Fi
- Location: New York, New York
- Founder(s): Jonathan Bensamoun
- Founded In: 2017
- Funding: $39.5 Million
- Investors Include: Alpha Wave Global, Advance Venture Partners, B Capital Group
Fi is a smart dog collar company that uses GPS and cellular technology to track a dog’s location and activity. This startup’s collars offer real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and activity monitoring. Fi aims to provide pet owners with peace of mind and insights into their dog’s health and behavior. The company also emphasizes long battery life with its collars lasting up to three months on a single charge, making them convenient for everyday use.
2. Embark
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Founder(s): Ryan Boyko, Adam Boyko
- Founded In: 2015
- Funding: Series B, $94.5 Million
- Investors Include: Eight Roads, SoftBank Investment Advisors, F-Prime Capital
Embark is a canine genetics company that offers DNA testing kits for dogs. The company provides breed identification, health screening for genetic diseases, and ancestry information. Embark’s mission is to improve dog health and longevity through genetic research and personalized care recommendations. Embark collaborates with research institutions and has built one of the world’s largest databases of canine genetic information, contributing to advancements in veterinary medicine.
3. Loyal
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Founder(s): Celine Halioua
- Founded In: 2019
- Funding: Series B-1, $114 Million
- Investors Include: Khosla Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Browder Capital
Loyal is a biotechnology company focused on extending dogs’ health span and lifespan. The company develops drugs and treatments aimed at slowing aging in dogs. Loyal’s goal is to help dogs live longer, healthier lives through scientific research and innovative interventions. The company is conducting clinical trials and working closely with regulatory agencies to bring its longevity treatments to market.
4. Dalma
- Location: Paris, France
- Founder(s): Alban de Préville, Raphaël Sadaka
- Founded In: 2020
- Funding: Series A, $21.8 Million
- Investors Include: Global Founders Capital, Kima Ventures, Frst
Dalma is a pet insurance and wellness platform. The company offers comprehensive pet health insurance plans as well as preventive care services. Dalma aims to make pet healthcare more accessible and affordable for pet owners. The company also provides digital tools for pet health management, including telemedicine consultations and personalized wellness recommendations.
5. KatKin
- Location: London, England
- Founder(s): Brett O’Farrell, Nikki O’Farrell, Ed Westcott
- Founded In: 2019
- Funding: Series A, $28.7 Million
- Investors Include: Active Partners, V3 Ventures, Kreos Capital
KatKin is a fresh cat food delivery service that offers personalized meal plans for cats. The company provides human-grade, gently cooked meals tailored to each cat’s individual nutritional needs based on factors like age, weight, and health conditions. KatKin’s meals are free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products, focusing on high-quality protein sources. The company aims to improve feline health and longevity through proper nutrition, delivering preportioned meals directly to customers’ doors on a regular schedule.
6. Front of the Pack
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Founder(s): Chris Wilkinson, Neil Hutchinson
- Founded In: 2019
- Funding: Series A, $13.5 Million
- Investors Include: Touch Capital, MAHR Projects
Front of the Pack is a premium dog supplement company that creates science-backed formulations to support canine health. The startup’s products target various aspects of dog wellness, including joint health, cognitive function, digestive health, and overall vitality. Front of the Pack emphasizes the use of clinically proven ingredients and works with veterinarians and animal nutritionists to develop its supplements. The company also offers a personalized approach, recommending specific supplements based on individual dogs’ needs and health goals.
7. I and love and you
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
- Founder(s): Steven Ball, Brendan Synnott
- Founded In: 2011
- Funding: Series C, $120 Million
- Investors Include: L Catterton’s Growth Fund, Winona Capital Management, Revelry Brands
I and love and you is a natural pet food and treat company that produces a range of products for both dogs and cats. The startup’s offerings include dry and wet food, raw food, treats, and supplements — all made with high-quality, natural ingredients. The company focuses on grain-free and meat-first recipes, aiming to provide pets with nutritionally complete diets that mirror what they would eat in the wild. I and love and you also emphasizes sustainability in its packaging and sourcing practices, appealing to environmentally conscious pet owners.
8. Gallant
- Location: San Diego, California
- Founder(s): Aaron Hirschhorn
- Founded In: 2018
- Funding: Series A, $66.3 Million
- Investors Include: BOLD Capital Partners, Digitalis Ventures, Hill Creek Partners
Gallant is a biotech startup that offers stem cell banking services for pets. The company focuses on collecting and storing a pet’s stem cells during routine procedures like spaying or neutering, preserving them for potential future therapeutic use. Gallant’s service allows pet owners to bank their animal’s stem cells as a form of biological insurance, which could be used to treat various age-related or degenerative conditions in the future. The company aims to advance regenerative medicine in veterinary care, potentially offering more treatment options for pets as they age.
9. Dog is Human
- Location: New York, New York
- Founder(s): Kathan Mally, Timothy Chen
- Founded In: 2022
- Funding: Pre-Seed, $1.2 Million
- Investors Include: Virgo Venture Capital, Ben Weiss, Ngan Capital
Dog is Human is a pet startup that focuses on enhancing dog health with vet-formulated multivitamins and treats. The company’s products feature high-quality, human-grade ingredients that help dogs live their healthiest lives.
10. Galaxy Vets
- Location: Vancouver, Washington
- Founder(s): Ivan Zakharenkov
- Founded In: 2021
- Funding: Series B, $14.7 Million
- Investors Include: Undisclosed
Galaxy Vets is a veterinary health care system that aims to address burnout and improve work conditions in the veterinary industry. The company operates on an employee-owned model, giving veterinary professionals a stake in the business and a say in operational decisions. Galaxy Vets focuses on creating a supportive work environment, offering competitive benefits, and using technology to streamline veterinary practice management. The company’s goal is to enhance both the quality of veterinary care and the well-being of veterinary professionals.