SINGAPORE, 27 November 2024 – Unleashed by Purina, a global pet-tech startup accelerator powered by the Purina Accelerator Lab, today hosted their first-ever meetup attracting pet-tech startups from Asia, Oceania, and Africa (AOA) in Singapore, a milestone event for the region's burgeoning pet care industry. The event attracted over 80 global startups and 20 investors to attend in-person.
Singapore-based pet-tech focused firm ZumVet, 2024 alumni from the Purina Accelerator programme, is the co-organiser of the event. The meetup focused on fostering innovation, collaboration, and investment in the pet-tech ecosystem.
Event Highlights
This one-of-a-kind gathering featured:
AOA Pet Care Market: A Growing Opportunity
The pet care market across the AOA region is thriving. According to Pitchbook, there are over 1,900 pet startups in the region, with Asia Pacific alone forecasted to reach $29 billion in market value by the end of 20241. This growth is fuelled by rising pet ownership and a shift toward pet parenthood, where pets are increasingly viewed as family members.
Emerging trends driving innovation in the region include:
"We've seen AI startups in our programme since the beginning of Unleashed, but now the sophistication has reached unprecedented levels. I can't wait to see how startups shape the future of pet care with AI," said Kim Bill, Head of Purina Accelerator Lab.
She added, "Computer vision and sustainable concepts are also maturing rapidly. Technology is evolving so quickly; it's an incredibly exciting time for pets and their parents alike."
The co-organiser, Singapore-based petcare firm ZumVET, 2024 alumni from the Unleashed by Purina Accelerator Lab, developed an AI tool during the accelerator programme, to help vets and pet owners understand the nutritional needs of pets for health.
“Having access to a global community, be it investors, advisors, industry experts and even other pet-tech firms, gave us the opportunity to learn from and share with some of the best in the industry and build on new technologies like AI into our product offerings. We are excited to bring an event of this scale to Singapore, our home base,” said Athena Lee, Founder, ZumVet.
Driving Innovation in Pet-Tech
Through this event, Nestlé Purina PetCare AOA aims to spotlight the AOA region's immense potential and create a supportive ecosystem for startups. With Asia Pacific's pet care market ranking third globally, the region is at the forefront of innovative solutions, ranging from online retail platforms for pet food to at-home pet healthcare services.
“Nestle has grown steadily to be one of the largest Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) investors in Singapore. Aside from being home to Nestle Purina’s AOA Regional Headquarters, Singapore is proud to host the inaugural Pet-Tech Startup Meetup for AOA. Connecting to the rich range of partners in Singapore’s vibrant startup ecosystem will help Nestle Purina develop innovative solutions for the region and beyond,” said Chan Ih-Ming, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
“This meetup marks a key step in accelerating innovation, enhancing collaboration, and advancing the role of technology in improving the lives of pets and their parents and we are very much looking forward to galvanise the entire ecosystem,” said Hubert Wieser, Nestle PURINA CEO for Asia, Oceania, Middle-East & Africa.
About Unleashed by Purina Accelerator Lab
The Purina Accelerator Lab helps to grow the petcare startup ecosystem that will bring disruptive new technologies to make pet ownership an enjoyable and seamless journey.
The Lab offers resources to startups that are integrating technology into petcare products and services in innovative ways. These resources include the Unleashed Accelerator Programme, the Unleashed Pet Tech Newsletter and community events, including Unleashed Pet Tech Meetups to facilitate networking between investors and startups.
Leveraging Purina's combination of scientific experts from Purina's research and development powerhouse, as well as Purina's immense geographical commercial footprint they aim to make a difference to pets and the people who own them.
Being R&D powered, they are able to offer their deep pet, nutrition and category understanding, experience and capabilities for the development of the selected startups.
For more information, visit the Unleashed website: UNLEASHED | Partnering disruptive pet tech startups.
About Nestlé Purina PetCare AOA
Nestlé Purina PetCare AOA believes that when people and pets bond, life becomes richer. This is why, for more than 125 years, it has been committed to creating richer lives for pets and the people who love them through high-quality nutrition and care.
With the ambition of becoming the most trusted pet care company, Purina AOA aims to have a positive impact on pets, people, and the planet. To help reach this goal, the company is focused on championing high-quality nutrition and breakthrough innovation that help pets thrive, supporting communities with pet adoption and responsible pet ownership, and driving for a more sustainable future.
The Purina portfolio includes many of the best-known and best-loved pet foods, including PRO PLAN®, Fancy Feast®, Purina ONE®, and Felix®.
For more information about the company, visit the Purina website.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jessy Metta
APRW
jessy@aprw.asia
1Asia Pacific’s pet care market projected to reach USD$29 billion in 2024 - Euromonitor.com