Leap Venture Studio, the world’s largest pet care-specific accelerator, has announced the finalists for their second annual SuperZoo Pitch Competition in partnership with the Black Pet Business Network.

The event, scheduled for August 14th at SuperZoo in Las Vegas, will see six innovative startups competing for a $10,000 grand prize. The competition aims to address the lack of diversity in both the pet care industry and the startup ecosystem.

The pitch competition will feature startups led by founders who identify as people of colour, reflecting the growing diversity within pet ownership, particularly among non-white households during the pandemic. Despite this growth, the pet industry remains predominantly white, and the disparity is even more pronounced in startup funding, with Black-founded startups experiencing a 71% drop in funding in 2023.

Showcasing Innovation in Pet Care

The selected finalists will each deliver a 5-minute pitch, followed by a Q&A session with the judging panel. The winner will receive $10,000 to support their business, while additional prizes will be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place winners by the Black Pet Business Network.

The competing startups include:

  • Dog & Whistle (Eric Adams): Focuses on making quality dog food accessible by helping local food businesses redistribute high-quality excess food.
  • Pawgone Good (Jerrica Fletcher): Aims to improve pet oral health through nutritious pet chips.
  • Skona Pet Food (Srihas Sampath): Specialises in holistic pet nutrition with premium treats infused with natural Indian herbs.
  • Social Paws (Jeanette Eng): A platform connecting dog owners and non-owners to share their love of dogs.
  • TREEV (Kenan Peters): Committed to sustainable pet products made from organically grown materials.
  • Veterinary Electronic Assistant (VEA) (Patricia Porter): An AI-powered medical records platform designed by veterinarians.

“Partnering with Leap Venture Studio has been impactful for our community. We’re excited to see all the brands in this year’s competition get the recognition they deserve,” said Lashonda Geffrard, Founder of the Black Pet Business Network.

Supporting Emerging Brands and Diversity

In addition to the pitch competition, Leap Venture Studio will host several panel discussions at SuperZoo, aimed at supporting startups and emerging brands in the pet care sector. Topics will include fundraising, retail strategies, building partnerships with pet brands, and the impact of AI in pet care. These sessions will take place on the Emerging Brands Stage, offering valuable insights and industry knowledge to attendees.

Rachel Sheppard, Director of Ventures at Mars Petcare, expressed enthusiasm for the event: “We are so excited to be increasing our presence at SuperZoo this year through content and programming that supports startups and emerging brands, while expanding our partnership with the Black Pet Business Network to support even more startups.”

The event will conclude on Friday, August 16th, with a panel discussion focused on Accelerator Program Opportunities for Pet Care Startups. This session will provide entrepreneurs with information on how to access resources and support to grow their businesses within the pet care industry.