Are you an innovative startup in the animal health or pet care industry?

Submit your application now for a chance to be a top 3 cash prize winner for addressing 2020’s unique challenges and opportunities!

In 2020 in the $90 Billion US Animal Health Industry, we see:

• Veterinarians and service providers having to adapt to social distancing and virtual care
• Animal welfare organizations needing to rapidly adapt in how animals are taken in, processed, and placed 
• Pet parents changing how they interact with their pets as they shelter in place, work from home, return to normalcy, and prepare for a period cycling between the two
• Difficulty in providing and paying for veterinary care (the #1 cause of animal surrenders)
• Supply chain issues and changes regarding in-store vs. online purchasing and fulfillment
• Regulators struggling to issue guidance or provide consumer confidence and oversight

In order for the industry to recover, adapt and thrive, significant innovation is needed from established organizations and startups that can bring vital ideas, methods, and energy to the space.

Startups addressing the above challenges can earn recognition, mentoring, and cash prizes in the VIS Virtual Startup Pitch Competition. Hosted by the Veterinary Innovation Summit and the Pet Care Innovation Prize, with additional financial support Nationwide Pet Insurance and Purina and mentorship from Leap Venture Studio, participating startups will get an evaluation with feedback from industry leaders. Additionally, 10 finalists will be selected for an opportunity to pitch virtually in a session hosted by VIS. All 10 finalists will receive:

1. A chance to win cash prizes:
   1. 1st Place - $5000
   2. 2nd Place - $3000
   3. 3rd Place - $1000
2. Pitch coaching by seasoned startup mentors in the animal health space
3. Promotion of their pitches to investors, early adopters, and industry influencers 
4. Judging and feedback by serial industry innovators and experts
5. Publicity following the competition via VIS and partner communication channels

Qualifications

Startup companies in the VIS Virtual Startup Pitch Competition will be considered based on:

• 1. Established entity with a product or service in market, up to $400,000 in annualized revenue, and having received less than $3 million in external funding
  2. A scalable business model that addresses the new realities of animal healthcare
  3. Must be publicizable (no stealth company applications)

Important Dates and Timeline

• 1. Application Period – Ends on June 23
  2. Finalists Announced – June 27
  3. Pitch Coaching – June 29 - July 2
  4. 5 Minute Final Pitch Videos Due – July 7
  5. Awarding of Prizes – July 21