PawCo raises funding for plant-based dog food

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Pet Food

PawCo Foods Raises $2M for Plant-Based Dog Food Made With AI Technology

PawCo Foods, the plant-based dog food brand founded by former Impossible Foods scientist Dr. Mahsa Vazin, has raised $2 million in seed funding. The round was led by Elevate Ventures, with participation from angel investors such as Dropbox co-founder Arash Ferdowsi. The company will use some of the funding to open a second production facility in the Midwest, adding to its existing Californian facility. The remainder will be invested in growth, R&D, new recipes, and marketing. PawCo claims to be the first plant-based dog food brand using AI technology to improve the nutrition and palatability of its products. The company has developed GreenMeat, a fresh plant-based meat for dogs which is used in all its recipes. As reported by Axios, PawCo plans to start raising …

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HOWND Pumpkin, Quinoa and Moringa Superfood

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Market & Trends

HOWND Launches Allergy-Friendly Pumpkin, Quinoa and Moringa Superfood for Dogs

UK-based vegan dog food brand HOWND has expanded its Plant Powered Superfood range with a new dry food in the flavour Pumpkin, Quinoa and Moringa. The food also contains ingredients such as sweet potato, cranberry, and Phytodroitin; the latter is an innovative algae-based alternative to chondroitin, a supplement that supports joint health. The recipe is high in protein and low in fat and purines. The nutritionally-complete food is said to provide a “digestive reset” for dogs who have upset stomachs or are recovering from illness. It is also designed to be suitable for dogs with allergies and intolerances, and is free of soy, gluten, dairy, and GMOs. The product is vet-approved and sold in fully recyclable 2kg and 10kg packages. It is available to UK …

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Bond Pet Food Founders

Tony Day, CTO, Rich Kelleman, CEO, and Pernilla Audibert, CSO©Bond Pet Food

Company News

Bond Pet Foods and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Mark Milestone in Fermented Meat Proteins for Pet Food

Colorado-based fermented protein producer Bond Pet Foods has reached a significant milestone in its partnership with global pet food manufacturer Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The company has officially shipped its first two metric tons of animal protein produced via fermentation, enabling Hill’s to begin formulating prototypes for regulatory review and market assessment. Bond Pet Foods’ proprietary protein ingredient is made specifically for applications in pet food, using a similar process to brewing beer. The fermented proteins mirror the nutritional profile of conventional meat but without the environmental drawbacks. The collaboration between the two companies was originally initiated in late 2021 to develop an alternative to one of Hill’s most used meat proteins. And today, the companies have announced a second joint development agreement to explore additional …

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PawCo-Plant-Based Dog Food

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Pet Food

Ex Impossible Foods’ PawCo Foods Launches “Very First” Fresh Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Dog Food

PawCo Foods, founded by former Impossible Foods employee Dr. Mahsa Vazin, recently launched two new plant-based dog food products based on GreenMeat™, which it describes as the first fully plant-based meat tailored specifically for pet food. Developed using AI for nutrition optimization and palatability improvement, the two new lines are InstaBites and LuxBites. PawCo claims that InstaBites is the very first fresh shelf-stable plant-based dog food, while LuxBites is a premium fresh dog food formulated with powerful postbiotics and fermented protein to enhance gut health, boost immunity, and ensure optimal nutrient absorption. A recent market report found that the global vegan dog food market will see rapid growth, increasing from $12.27 billion in 2021 to $31.48 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 12.5%. “Our …

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Market & Trends

Vegan Dog Food Market Poised for Explosive Growth, Reaching $31.48Bn by 2029

According to a report by Data Bridge Market Research, the global vegan dog food market will see rapid growth in the coming years, with its value increasing from $12.27 billion in 2021 to $31.48 billion by 2029. This represents a CAGR of 12.5%. The market will be driven by the increased “humanization” of pets, where people see pets as part of their family and demand high-quality, nutritious, and digestible foods. Additionally, as more consumers adopt vegan diets with the belief that they are healthier and more sustainable, many are looking to feed their pets a plant-based diet too. Rise in pet ownership Worldwide, having a pet is becoming increasingly popular, driven by rising incomes and the impact of the pandemic. This is increasing the demand …

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Herbie Wilde plant-based superfood for dogs

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Pet Food

Herbie Wilde Launches Plant-Based Superfood for Dogs With 39 Natural Ingredients

Herbie Wilde is a new British pet food brand that has developed a nutritionally complete plant-based superfood for dogs, featuring 39 ingredients such as sweet potato, fruits, greens, ancient grains, herbs, and botanicals. The company was founded by former film production manager Ella Daines-Smith, who has worked on films such as Beauty and The Beast, Winnie the Pooh, Fast and Furious, and Jurassic Park. After trying to figure out why her dog, Bertie, was suffering from digestive issues, Ella discovered that the culprit was food. As pet food standards are lower than those for human food, manufacturers can include meat industry byproducts such as hair, feathers, hooves, bones, connective tissues, and beaks. While these are often high in protein, they are very difficult to digest, …

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Vegan dog food brand Omni launches meat-style wet food

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Pet Food

Vegan Dog Food Brand Omni Launches “Juicy & Fibrous” Meat-Style Wet Food

Omni, a UK-based vegan dog food brand, has launched a meat-style wet food range after a year of research and development. The range currently consists of beef and chicken-style options, combined with vegetables for additional health benefits. Both flavours can be purchased either in a can as a full meal, or as a topper sachet to be combined with dry food. Omni plans to develop more flavours, such as lamb, turkey, and salmon, in the coming months. According to the brand, pets consume 20% of the world’s meat and fish, and feeding a dog a meat-based diet is responsible for as many emissions as driving a Land Cruiser SUV for a year. Switching to a plant-based food such as Omni’s could therefore have huge benefits …

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Pet treats

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Pet Food

Superlatus Announces Planned Expansion into Pet Food Market, Beginning with Baked Plant-Based Treats

Superlatus, Inc., a food tech and distribution organization that recently completed a merger with pharmaceutical exchange platform provider TRxADE HEALTH, Inc., has revealed its strategic move to penetrate the global pet foods market, focusing on plant-based, high-protein pet foods and snacks. Notably, following the merger of Superlatus and TRxADE HEALTH, the combined entity made significant strides in the plant-based food industry. They recently expanded their portfolio by acquiring Perfect Day’s Animal-Free Brands through the acquisition of The Urgent Company. Only two days after acquiring The Urgent Company, Superlatus unveiled plans to launch a pulse protein snack in the United States in early 2024 under the recently acquired Brave Robot brand, well-known for its vegan dairy-free ice creams. The expansion into the pet food market will …

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Plant-based dog food

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Pet Food

Four Ways to Attract Flexitarian Pet Owners With Plant-Based Dog Food

As the plant-based movement gathers momentum globally, we’re seeing more people becoming interested in flexitarian diets, not only for themselves but for their dogs, too. Excitingly, a 2021 study found that 72% of US pet parents were open to having plant-based protein sources in their animals’ diets. The study participants also indicated a high interest in hybrid diets – balancing animal and plant-based protein sources – lending further credence to the notion that flexitarianism is leading pet carers to try a similar approach to feeding their pets. Innova Market Insight’s Nutrition & Health Survey 2020 shows that the top reasons driving consumers to switch to flexitarian diets include health, sustainability, and taste – all things dog parents are increasingly demanding for their pets, as well. …

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Wild Earth New Rotisserie Dog Kibble

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Products & Launches

Wild Earth to Debut Core Collection of Kibble, Featuring ‘Meat Like’ Rotisserie Flavors, at Global Pet Expo

Pet wellness brand Wild Earth announces it will unveil its new Core Collection of dog kibble at Global Pet Expo 2023 which takes place next week. Made from plant and fungi ingredients, the new kibbles will be available in several new flavors, including “meat-like” Golden Rotisserie and Classic Roast. Featuring complete and balanced formulas, Wild Earth says its latest kibble is free from animal-derived ingredients and takes a biotechnology approach to cruelty-free pet nutrition. The new offerings include the Performance Formula and Core Formula, both of which exclude five of the most common food allergens in dogs – beef, chicken, dairy, wheat and lamb.  Designed for more active dogs, the Performance Formula comes in a Veggie Chicken ‘n Kabob flavor, and includes 28% fungi and …

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ProVeg NFH dog food

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Pet Food

6 Must-Know Trends to Drive Plant-Based Dog Food Sales

The pet food industry has reached great heights in recent years, amassing an estimated worth of over US$91.1 billion. This is expected to boom to even greater amounts in the years ahead, with a large part of this growth due to innovation coming from the rising demand for plant-based dog foods. Though still a niche industry, with vegan and plant-based claims appearing on just 2.1% of dog-food products worldwide, it’s finding more shelf space compared to five years ago, when only 0.7% of dog-food had a plant-based claim, according to Innova Market Insights. And such plant-based claims are growing rapidly in dog-food (+40%) compared to the growth of all new dog-food launches (+5%) (Global, compound annual growth rate, 2018–2022). In order to be successful in …

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V-Dog Plant-Based Kibble

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Studies & Numbers

V-Dog: New Research Finds Dogs Can Thrive Long-Term on Plant-Based Kibble

Vegan dog food brand v-dog announces the first comprehensive study on the long-term effects of a plant-based diet for dogs has been completed by clinician-scientists at Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Veterinary Medicine. According to the company, the research confirms that dogs can thrive long-term on plant-based kibble while having a more positive impact on the planet.  Presented on February 20 at the Western Vet Conference in Las Vegas, the 12-month study found that a nutritionally complete plant-based diet can provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs during adult maintenance life stages. According to v-dog, the study was conducted by independent clinical researchers and was not commissioned by the company.  As such, v-dog states, it represents an important contribution to the ongoing conversation …

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dog with treat ProVeg NFH

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Pet Food

Top Tips for Producing a Sell-Out Plant-Based Dog Food

We already target flexitarians, vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans with plant-based products – but what about those who have pets? Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental, ethical, and health impacts of eating meat and dairy. Yet, many would not think twice about the origins of what they feed their companion animals.  However, like most human eating trends, the plant-based movement is spilling over into the diets of companion animals – dogs, in particular. As more people share their lives with canine friends and more people adopt plant-based eating habits (40% of European consumers identify as flexitarian, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan), the market is set to boom. With this in mind, how can your company best produce and sell plant-based dog food? What considerations are …

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Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel, The Pack founders

Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel, founders of THE PACK

Investments & Acquisitions

THE PACK Raises £835K for Nutritionally Complete Plant-Based Dog Food

UK plant-based dog food brand THE PACK has raised £835,000 in its seed funding round. The round took place both privately and through vegan investment platform Vevolution, which originally founded by THE PACK’s founders Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel. Participants included Scelta Mycofriends B.V., Veg Capital, Kale United, and Akoleo, along with alt protein angel investors Simon Newstead, Alicia Robb, Simon Day, Victoria Betoski, and Leo Groenewegen. Additionally, an investment was made through Silicon Valley VC’s Accel early-stage scouting program. Investors from petcare accelerator Leap Ventures, including the Mars Petcare Companion Fund, also contributed. The funding will support THE PACK in launching its nutritionally-complete oven-baked dry food in early 2023. It follows the launch of the brand’s plant-based meat stew wet food, which was claimed …

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veg dog plant based dog food star dog named tamie

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Pet Food

V-Label Awards Winner VEGDOG Secures €3.5M for European Market Expansion 

VEGDOG, which says it is the first pet food manufacturer specialising in 100% plant-based and gluten-free complete dog food, has secured €3.5 million in a Series A round led by Green Generation Fund. Following the investment, the company will focus on developing new products, expanding into German and European markets, optimizing previous sales channels, and hiring more staff. Ideal Partners Since its foundation in 2016, the German plant-based dog food startup has created a diverse product range, including snacks, wet food, complete dry food, and dietary supplements. Last year, VEGDOG reported €2.4 million in sales and the company reports it expects its 2022 turnover to surpass €4 million. The startup Family Office (former team of Vießmann and WattX), another Family Office from Munich, and previous …

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Omni plant-based dog food

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Pet Food

Study Finds Significant Health Improvements in Dogs Fed a Vegan Diet

A peer-reviewed study by UK pet food brand Omni has concluded that dogs fed a vegan diet experience notable improvements to their health. Three to 12 months after switching their pets to Omni’s plant-based food, dog owners reported several statistically significant changes, including improvements in: Anxiety Activity levels Glossiness of coat Dandruff Redness of the skin Itchiness Stool consistency Frequency of stools Flatus (passing gas). According to the study, which was published in the Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research, over three-quarters of the 100 dogs had previously been eating a meat-based diet. “The study is a valuable addition to the scientific evidence that proves the benefits of vegan diets for dogs,” said Shiv Sivakumar, co-founder and co-CEO of Omni. While the results are encouraging, …

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Wild Earth Cell-Based Meat Broth

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Pet Food

Wild Earth Develops ‘First-Ever’ Cell-Based Chicken Broth For Pet Food Market

Sustainable pet food company Wild Earth announces it has developed a cell-based meat broth topper for dogs, which will launch to consumers in 2023. According to the company, the broth is the world’s first cell-based meat product to debut on the pet food retail market.  Created in Wild Earth’s labs in Berkeley, CA, the chicken broth is made with the company’s proprietary technology and joins its current line of high-protein dog food and treats. According to Wild Earth, launching cell-based meat products represents the next step to transforming the pet food industry and reducing its harmful effects on the environment. “Our pets’ environmental paw print accounts for 30% of meat consumed in the US and it doesn’t have to,” explains Wild Earth Co-Founder and CEO, …

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Wild_Earth_Dog_Food_Bags

©Wild Earth

Pet Food

Wild Earth to Debut New Look and Pet Food Collection at SuperZoo 2022

Pet food company Wild Earth announces it is returning to SuperZoo 2022 to showcase its premium line of nutritionally complete, sustainable dog food and treats. The brand will also debut a new product design and preview its upcoming Core Collection, to be released in 2023.  New flavors At SuperZoo, North America’s largest pet retail show, Wild Earth co-founder and CEO Ryan Bethencourt will be on hand to unveil the brand’s new look and give attendees a peak at the Core Collection, which is set to hit shelves next year. The collection will feature limited ingredients and new flavors such as Rotisserie and Classic Roast, and will retail at a lower price point.  The company also plans to discuss its progress with cell-based meat development. Attendees …

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PawCo Plant-Based Dog Food

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Pet Food

Former Impossible Foods Employee Launches “World’s First” Pet Food Made from Plant-Based Meat

Pet food startup PawCo announces the launch of its proprietary dog food made from plant-based meat. Founded by Dr. Mahsa Vazin, a former Impossible Foods employee, PawCo also reveals it raised a seed round earlier this year for an undisclosed amount.  According to the brand, it has invented the world’s first fully plant-based meat designed specifically for pet food. Made to be as tasty as traditional meat, PawCo says its recipe contains all the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals most adult dogs need to thrive. Its product offerings feature plant-based protein mixed with a variety of fruit and vegetables; including Peanut Butter and Apple, Green Mix and Carrots, and Blueberries and Veggies.  Because the foods are animal product-free, they are also recommended for pets …

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Dog puppy food

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Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Agronomics Reveals Cultivated Meat Pet Food Venture Good Dog Food

Agronomics, the UK cellular agriculture investment group headed by billionaire philanthropist Jim Mellon, has partnered with Roslin Technologies, made famous for the world’s first cloned adult mammal Dolly the sheep, to launch Good Dog Food. Says Jim Mellon, Executive Director of Agronomics and Chairman of Good Dog Food: “An untapped sector of the agricultural market is the production of pet food via cellular agriculture. We are delighted to be able to announce our first joint venture in the cultivated meat field, to focus on the production of cultivated pet food.” Good Dog Food will develop a novel range of pet food products made using cell-cultured meat, highlighting that the current production of companion animal food is a major driver of climate change. In the US …

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