Perth startup VetChip has been named a finalist in the 2024 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize and will receive USD $25,000 in support.
Nearly 150 companies from around the world applied for the eighth iteration of the prize, with SwiftPaws, BestyBnB, Arch Pet Food, Ryercat, and VetChip being named the five finalists.
Each of the five startup winners will receive USD $25,000, mentorship from the Pet Care Innovation team at Purina and Active Capital and will participate in an accelerator boot camp at Purina’s headquarters in St. Louis, MO, featuring pet experts from Purina and across the pet care industry.
Blair Morgan, co-lead of Purina’s 9 Square Ventures group and Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for Purina, said this year’s group of winners exemplifies the diverse range of possibilities in pet care.
“Collaborating with startups that share our enthusiasm for pets and are dedicated to continuous innovation enables us to mutually inspire and learn from each other.
“We look forward to working with each of these companies to help accelerate their success in an incredibly competitive and rewarding industry.”
The only finalist from Australia, VetChip, is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving animal health and welfare through pioneering technology that monitors, analyses, and detects pet health issues. The VetChip is implanted to gather data and alert pet owners via an app if potential issues or signs of illness or injury are detected, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment.
The five finalists will present their businesses in March to an audience of Purina executives, industry influencers, and investors at the Global Pet Expo. A grand prize winner will be chosen at this event to receive an additional USD $25,000 in cash from Purina.
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