Technology

Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals want to make life easier for pet owners with Leap Venture Studio startup accelerator 

Being a pet owner can be hard.

For one, according to researchers from the University of Edinburgh, not being able to provide for—or save—much-loved pets creates pressures that can compromise individuals’ mental health.

This is on top of the myriad of other potential challenges, including training, travel, locating a pet-friendly apartment and more.

As animal lovers are constantly looking for ways to care for their families, the pet care market has become a growing ecosystem with startups passionately innovating in this space. 

Leap Venture Studio, which was started as a partnership between Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals, is a global pet care startup accelerator that has been investing in companies across the globe in order to make life easier and more affordable for pet owners. 

The organization recently announced that it is accepting applications for its ninth Studio program, offering the opportunity for early-stage pet care startups from across the globe to receive $200,000 USD in funding and support from top industry experts. 

Selected startups will participate in a 12-week hybrid program kicking off on February 24th of next year in Los Angeles, and ending with Demo Day presentations on May 12. 

The program will also include mentorship, assistance in for future growth, group sessions, fireside chats, and workshops with industry experts. Interested startup founders should apply here by September 15th.

Since its inception in 2018, the 51 companies that have completed the program have collectively raised over $200 million USD in follow-on capital. There have also been two successful exits to-date. Earlier accelerator graduates have operations in sectors including at-home diagnostic tools, digital pet services, veterinary care software, and more. 

Selection criteria for the program will be based in part on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the pet care industry. According to a statement from the company, over 60% of previous program founders at Leap Venture Studio identify as women and/or a person of color.

The program by Leap Venture Studio represents Michelson Found Animals and Mars Petcare’s commitment to improving the lives of pets and their owners through science, technology, and innovation.

Featured photo: Earlier Leap Venture Studio cohort founders alongside alumni and program mentors

This article includes a client of an Espacio portfolio company

Sociable Team

Recent Posts

MWC 2025 Barcelona was the ultimate experiential marketing dream

Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona is the biggest annual event in the mobile technology…

9 hours ago

GAN, Tec de Monterrey partnership highlights cross-border startup ecosystem building in Latin America amid trade dispute

Despite recent tensions between the United States government and Latin American countries over migration and…

5 days ago

This founder started out with US $5K to his name. Now, he owns a multi-million-dollar global business

Meet Nitin Seth, the Co-Founder and CEO of Screen Magic (SMS Magic), a messaging leader…

5 days ago

Building smarter: AI, the ultimate tool transforming an old-age industry

In this Brains Byte Back, we sit down with Hari Vasudevan, founder and CEO of…

5 days ago

When AI Goes Rogue: 8 Lessons from Implementing LLMs in the Healthcare Industry that Could Save the Future

By Santosh Shevade, Principal Data Consultant at Gramener – A Straive company All pharmaceutical companies…

6 days ago

Digital Public Infrastructure will enable public, private entities to control your access to essential goods, services & mobility

Digital Public Infrastructure is a top-down agenda coming from unelected globalists, bureaucrats, and their partners…

2 weeks ago