Leap Venture Studio And Black Pet Business Network To Award $10k To Winning Startup At Superzoo

(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS — Leap Venture Studio, the world’s first and largest pet care-specific accelerator, is announcing the finalists for their second annual SuperZoo Pitch Competition in partnership with the Black Pet Business Network. These six exceptional startups, all of whom have at least one founder who identifies as a person of color, will showcase their innovative solutions in pet care for a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize. The event will take place in Las Vegas on Wednesday, August 14th, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at SuperZoo, the leading trade show for professionals in the pet industry, on the Emerging Brands Stage.

The competition aims to tackle a two-pronged issue: the lack of diversity in pet care and in startups. Though the rise in pet ownership over the pandemic was greatest in non-white households, the pet industry as a whole is overwhelmingly white. This lack of diversity is mirrored in the startup world. While funding fell 36% in 2023, for Black-founded startups it fell 71% over the same time period.

“Partnering with Leap Venture Studio has been impactful for our community, we’re excited to see all the brands in this year’s competition get the recognition they deserve,” said Lashonda Geffrard, founder of Black Pet Business Network.

The founders competing for first prize include:

• Eric Adams of Dog & Whistle, a company making quality food accessible to dog lovers by helping local food industry businesses redistribute and convert high-quality excess food.
• Jerrica Fletcher of Pawgone Good, a brand on a mission to create healthy, nutritious food for pets offering pet chips designed to promote oral health.
• Srihas Sampath of Skona Pet Food, an innovative pet food company focused on holistic pet nutrition through premium quality pet treats infused with all natural Indian herbs.
• Jeanette Eng of Social Paws, a marketplace platform connecting dog owners and non-owners to share their love of dogs.
• Kenan Peters of TREEV, a pet brand committed to creating high-quality treats and pet products from organically grown and sustainably-sourced materials.
• Patricia Porter of Veterinary Electronic Assistant (VEA), a patent-protected AI-powered medical records platform created by veterinarians for veterinarians.

Each founder will present a 5-minute pitch live on stage, followed by a Q&A session. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 for their business, and additional prizes will be awarded by Black Pet Business Network to the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

“We are so excited to be increasing our presence at SuperZoo this year through content and programming that supports startups and emerging brands, while expanding our partnership with the Black Pet Business Network to support even more startups!” Rachel Sheppard, director of Ventures Mars Petcare.

Immediately following the pitch competition, Leap Venture Studio will host several insightful panel discussions on the Emerging Brands Stage:

• Fundraising for Startups in Petcare: 12:30-1:30 pm
• Harnessing the Power of Retail 1:30-2:30 pm
• Building Successful Partnerships with Pet Brands: 2:30-3:30 pm
• AI in Petcare: How it’s Impacting our Industry: 3:30-4:30 pm

Additionally, on Friday, August 16th, there will be a panel discussion on Accelerator Program Opportunities for Pet Care Startups from 10:30-11:30 am.

Leap Venture Studio is dedicated to promoting innovation and inclusion within the pet industry. At SuperZoo, they seek to empower new brands by offering a stage for underrepresented entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, and for panel discussions to share deep industry knowledge.

About Leap Venture Studio

The Leap Venture Studio & Academy is one of the first programs designed to ignite impactful growth for pet care startups. The program represents Michelson Found Animals and Mars Petcare’s commitment to improving the lives of pets and their owners through science, technology, and innovation. Leap Venture Academy is a series of pre-accelerator, community-building programs for early-stage pet care startups and innovators. These activities include fellowship programs and pitch competitions.

About Black Pet Business Network

Black Pet Business Network (BPBN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the pet and animal industry. Our mission is to cultivate the growth and success of motivated individuals, providing them with the necessary skills and resources to excel in their careers and emerge as industry leaders.

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