Mars Petcare and Partners Launch Pet Food Program Pilot

Mars Petcare along with Big Idea Ventures, a global investment leader in the food-tech, agri-tech, and materials science sectors have launched the Next Generation Pet Food Program. 

AAK, a multi-oil ingredient house specializing in plant-based vegetable oils and fats, and Bühler, a global technology partner for the food, feed, and mobility industries, are collaborators on the pilot, which aims to drive innovation in pet food and engage with the startup ecosystem to develop more sustainable solutions.

“At Mars Petcare, our purpose is: A Better World for Pets. This program aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and innovation, and we are excited to collaborate with startups that share our vision,” said Elise Malandain, VP R&D, Mars Petcare.

The program is looking for startups working on sustainable protein and fat that can support pathways to reducing carbon emissions in pet food production, to include novel ingredients and trailblazing processing technologies, such as upcycling food waste and innovative extraction methods.

This includes a number of research and development projects to identify new and innovative ingredients that reduce our environmental footprint and are nutritious for pets, focused on innovations in:

“This initiative aims to highlight the exciting opportunity for developing sustainable pet food products. It represents a significant step forward in fostering innovative, eco-friendly solutions within the pet food industry,” said Andrew D. Ive, founder and managing general partner of Big Idea Ventures.

Startups will be chosen based on their innovative solutions, production volume capability, potential to reduce the carbon footprint of pet food products, and willingness to collaborate with partners. While APAC-based startups are preferred, companies from all geographies are encouraged to apply.

“Ensuring a sustainable source of pet nutrition requires new ideas, technologies, and innovative practices. Collaborative innovation between industry leaders like Mars Petcare and Big Idea Ventures attracts startups from both within and beyond the pet care sector, supporting them in scaling their solutions to enhance the sustainability of pet nutrition. We are eager to see the innovative solutions that will emerge from this program!” said Dr Ian Roberts, CTO at Bühler.