Mars Petcare and Big Idea Ventures have teamed up with other partners to choose three pioneering startups for their 2025 Next Generation Pet Food Program.
The initiative was created to identify and accelerate breakthrough technologies in biotech-based ingredients, essential nutrients, and circular feed innovations to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for pet nutrition, according to a news release from Mars Petcare.
Mars Petcare and Big Idea Ventures partnered with 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, to launch the program in 2024.
This year’s program received 165 applications from 39 countries — nearly half from Asia — reflecting the growing global momentum behind sustainable food development and pet care innovation. The global pet care company and venture capital fund, along with AAK, Bühler, and flavor and fragrance producer Givaudan, conducted a rigorous multistage selection process. They evaluated innovation, scalability, sustainability impact, and commercial potential.
The partners have selected these startups for this year’s cohort:
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ALT-PRO Advantage: This Canadian company is a microalgae platform using illuminated fermentation to naturally produce and optimize essential nutrients like taurine and arachidonic acid for pet food, and other feed and food applications.
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Seaqure Labs: This Swedish company is a biotech startup that develops fungi-based, circular aquafeed ingredients by upcycling industrial side streams via mycelium, aiming to reduce environmental impact while providing high-quality nutrition for fish and other animals.
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Terramatter: This Indian company uses industrial side streams and emissions to produce functional ingredients through fermentation. Their fermented proteins serve as sustainable alternatives for plant-based meat, pet food, aqua feed and supplements.
Together, these companies showcase how biotechnology and circular innovation can unlock new sources of essential nutrients, proteins, and functional ingredients for the pet food industry.
“Pet nutrition is evolving through science and sustainability; these startups are driving that transformation,” Andrew D. Ive, founder and general managing partner at Big Idea Ventures, said. “At Big Idea Ventures, we help founders turn big ideas into global breakthroughs by working with Mars Petcare and our partners around the world. Together, we will work to develop innovative ingredients that have a more positive impact on pets, people, and the environment.”
“Each of the startups bring cutting-edge solutions to the pet food industry, delivering solutions that can reduce environmental impact and address concerns about ingredient accessibility and security,” Elisabetta Pierangelo, global vice president, research and development, Mars Pet Nutrition, said.
The startups will benefit from mentorship, access to cutting-edge research and development facilities, and tailored opportunities for strategic partnerships with Mars Petcare, Big Idea Ventures, AAK, Bühler, and Givaudan. Together, they will work to refine their solutions and accelerate their path to market.
The program will culminate at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore from November 4-6, where the cohort will pitch on stage to an international audience of industry leaders, investors, and decision makers, with a goal of opening doors to global visibility, investment, and commercial growth.
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