An implanted biosensing microchip that gathers data and alerts pet owners for potential health issues and injuries via a mobile app was selected as the winner of the 2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize by Purina.
Developed by startup company VetChip, the smart monitoring device with the same name, aims to better animal health care by providing early detection and, ultimately, faster diagnosis and treatment.
VetChip was selected by a panel of judges, beating four other finalists that presented their innovations at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, FL on March 20 to 22. The Perth, Australia-based company earned $25,000 in funding and support from the pet care experts at Purina.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have our revolutionary biosensor achievements recognized through the Pet Care Innovation Prize 2024,” says VetChip co-founder Garnett Hall, DVM. “This award will help us to unlock a world of possibilities for proactive animal healthcare, including welfare monitoring, nutrition support, and detection of diseases. The time spent with the team at Purina has been extremely rewarding and will help immensely to accelerate our R&D efforts.”
In January, the 2024 class for the Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists were selected from nearly 150 companies. The five finalists received $25,000 cash and participated in a bootcamp accelerator experience with business experts, industry leaders, veterinarians, and Purina executives to broaden their network, strengthen their business plan, and gain knowledge from across the pet care landscape.
“Each of the winners brought so much passion to the program. We were very impressed by VetChip and the entire 2024 class. The Pet Care Innovation Prize is a highlight for all of us at Purina, allowing us to help grow the entrepreneurial pet care network, and bring more solutions to the industry that improve the lives of pets and their owners,” says Bill Broun, co-lead of Purina’s 9 Square Ventures division and vice president, Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Venturing at Purina.
For more information, visit the Purina website.