Switzerland, 26th August 2024, Purina, a leading global pet care company, is inviting startups from around the world to lead the next generation of pet care innovators, by applying to be part of the sixth cohort of Unleashed by Purina. Powered by the Purina Accelerator Lab, Unleashed is a landmark pet-tech startup accelerator, designed to identify, support and champion disruptive startups that are using technology to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them.
In 2025, Unleashed will be accelerating up to 10 disruptive startups in its renowned programme. Purina is looking for startups from around the world that are leveraging technological solutions, particularly AI to help solve pet parent problems, that are relevant, scalable and sustainable. Dedicated coaches and expert Unleashed Champions from Purina will guide and mentor the winning startups through their growth, providing invaluable expertise and support. Winners also gain access to Unleashed’s & Purina’s network. Startups interested in participating can submit their application from 26th August 2024. Applications close on 30th September 2024 and the winners will be announced in February 2025.
To date, Unleashed has received over 1400 entries from 50 countries, and has successfully accelerated 33 startups from around the world, providing significant solutions for pet owners worldwide. In some cases, Purina’s collaboration with the winning startups has transitioned from the accelerator to a commercial agreement or incubation. Dogamí from the Class of 2023 is an example of this, which Purina has supported in developing a community of pet lovers that can demonstrate their passion for pets through technology. Dogamí launched PURINA DOGASNAX, the first virtual petfood brand, in collaboration with Purina and DOGAMÍ Academy, the innovative dog racing gaming app. Additionally, Feragen, from the Class of 2022, provides genetic testing for breeders to improve the health of purebreeds. Aiming to help tackle the issue of poor breeding practices, Feragen’s product was a welcomed disruptor in the industry and a great strategic fit for Unleashed and we continue to collaborate to help them grow their services and expand geographically.
Kim Bill, Head of Purina Accelerator Lab, said: “The pet industry has always been very innovation-driven and remains growth-oriented. Startups are leading the way when it comes to leveraging consumer technology in the pet industry. As we see the rise of AI technologies, startups will be at the forefront of shaping that technology to improve the lives of pets. Working with startups all over the world helps the entire cohort think about our challenges in a diverse manner. We have tested and learned with our startups and every party has benefited from the journey, and it gets better each year, and I’m truly excited by our future Cohort 6 and the continued growth of our Unleashed network!”
For more information about the programme and to apply, please visit: https://www.f6s.com/applications-for-unleashed-cohort-2025/apply