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A pet care startup accelerator designed to remove obstacles and propel your business forward.

Despite the emergence of major companies in the space, pet care startups still struggle to secure investment, and find support as they scale. The Leap Venture Studio & Academy is one of the first programs designed to ignite impactful growth for pet care startups.

About Us

We believe in cultivating collaboration. The Leap partnership between Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals allows us to amplify connections and impact through our combined global networks. Our goal is to bring petcare companies together to not only learn from the experts but each other.

Leap Funding Landscape

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Your new team…

Mars Petcare believes pets make our world better, that’s why they are dedicated to making: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Through comprehensive veterinary care, nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and pet welfare, their 100,000 Petcare Associates help pets in more than 130 countries.

Mars Petcare supports the industry’s boldest new ideas and startups by leveraging resources, capabilities and data in one place, one platform. It is focused on spring-boarding innovation in the pet care space and is making the lives of pets and their owners better.

Mars Petcare's deep knowledge of pet wellness is unparalleled. Their team of industry experts are there to support you each step of the way. We will match you with the right specialist for your company’s needs.
Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a leading animal welfare non-profit organization working at the nexus of pets, people and policy. With a mission of saving pets and enriching lives, Michelson Found Animals combines social entrepreneurship, innovative philanthropy, thought leadership and investment to accelerate pet startups to improve the lives of pets and their people. Since its inception in 2005, Michelson Found Animals has helped more than 5 million pets.

To support portfolio companies focused on any aspect of animal welfare, Michelson Found Animals will connect your team with new partners to advance both your goals and that of the animal rescue community.

The leadership behind Leap

Rachel Sheppard
Ventures Director, Mars Petcare

Pet care founders are these amazing people who deeply care about making the world a better place for pets, and each of our founders brings a unique business expertise to a wonderful industry.

Ben Jacobs
Advisor, Mars Petcare

As founders solve for problems they experience with their own dogs and cats, I’m amazed and impressed at the variety of unique products and services they invent.

Dylan Boyd
Director New Programs Development,

The level of enthusiasm each day the pet founders bring and level of passion they have to make a difference in pet and human lives is what excites me.

Brett Yates
CEO, Michelson Found Animals

The fact that we have not lost any companies in our five years of existence highlights not only our great decision-making process, but also the nimble and unrelenting nature of our founders!

Audrey Yoo
VP, Business Innovation, Strategy, and Venture, Mars Petcare

I’m continually inspired by LEAP companies and their ability to be adaptable, flexible, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Paige Ellen
Sr. Program Manager, Leap, Michelson Found Animals

The most successful companies I’ve worked with are led by founders driven by passion and curiosity who surround themselves with strong and diverse teams.

Phil Kim
Managing Director, Michelson Impact Ventures

Every single stakeholder — founder, investor, advisor, partner — is working out of a love for our pets, and that’s just a great job to go to everyday.

Upcoming Events

Virtual

Leap Venture Studio Cohort 5 Virtual Demo Day

From February through April 2022, 6 pet care startups joined the Leap Venture Studio to enhance their business plans, prepare for fundraising milestones, and design go-to-market strategies. Join us as we culminate the program and celebrate the incredible founders that are forging new trails in the $100 billion pet care industry!

RSVP For Event
Virtual

Office Hours with Isabel Havens, MFA & Dylan Boyd, R/GA Ventures

Join us to ask questions about the Leap Venture Studio accelerator program and opportunities to connect with our pet care community.

RSVP For Event
Virtual

Leap Venture Studio 2023 Program Information Session

November 22, 12:00 am

Join us for a virtual webinar to learn more about the Leap Venture Studio 2023 program and have your questions answered.

RSVP For Event
In-Person

Petcare Innovation Summit EU

May 3, 12:00 am

We are attending this event and would love to see you there! Showcasing the latest innovations across Europe to drive partnerships and investment within petcare.

RSVP For Event
Virtual

Leap Cohort 7 Virtual Demo Day

June 8, 12:00 pm

Join us for our annual demo day event and hear from 6 incredible startups shaping the future of the petcare industry!

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In-Person

SuperZoo

August 16, 12:00 am

We are attending this event and would love to see you there!

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In-Person

Petcare Innovation Summit US

December 5, 12:00 am

We are attending this event and would love to see you there!

RSVP For Event

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