PALO ALTO, CALIF. — Sphinx, a pet tech startup behind the “world’s first” wet cat food dispenser powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), surpassed fundraising platform Kickstarter’s expectations since launching last week, raising more than $400,000 from more than 880 backers. The company achieved its funding goal in just 13 seconds and reached 6000% of its initial goal within just 24 hours, ranking in the top 0.1% of all campaigns on the platform, according to the startup.

This overwhelming response caught the attention of pet nutrition companies, as Sphinx announced its strategic partnership with cat food brands Rayne Nutrition and Savage Cat Food. These collaborations will bring the brands’ premium cat meals directly to Sphinx’s feeding platform. 

“The speed at which we’ve been embraced by both consumers and industry leaders validates what we’ve known all along — there’s a massive gap in the market for technology-driven pet health solutions,” said Grant Barnekow, co-founder and chief executive officer of Sphinx. “When established companies like Rayne and Savage approach a startup like ours for partnership, it signals they recognize the future of pet care is tech-enabled.”

Rayne Nutrition, known for prescription diets formulated by veterinary nutritionists, and Savage Cat Food, which delivers high-quality raw food made from whole prey, bring representation of the premium pet food sector to Sphinx’s platform.

“These partnerships aren't just about distribution — they’re about industry leaders acknowledging that the old ways of feeding cats aren’t working,” said Ben Dake, MD, co-founder of Sphinx. “Major companies are coming to us because they see the same blank space we do: a massive opportunity to use technology to improve feline health and nutrition.”

Ian Moffat, president of Rayne Nutrition commented, “Rayne is committed to formulating evidence-based, veterinary-recommended diets for cats with complex health needs. By partnering with Sphinx, we can ensure that our prescription diets are portioned accurately and served fresh — exactly how veterinarians intend. It’s a smarter, healthier way to support feline wellness at home.”

Sphinx attributes its funding success to a “fundamental shift” in pet ownership demographics, stating that today’s cat owners view their pet as family members deserving of premium care. 

“We’re seeing a new generation of cat owners emerge,” Barnekow said. “Our customers are millennials and Gen Z professionals who research every purchase, demand transparency and are willing to invest significantly in their pets’ health. They want data, convenience and outcomes — just like they expect from every other aspect of their lives.”

Sphinx’s smart feeder addresses critical issues in feline nutrition by delivering small, frequent meals at optimal temperature while tracking consumption patterns through AI, according to Sphinx. The device features built-in refrigeration, warming functions, precise portion control and automated scheduling that syncs up with cats’ natural feeding behaviors instead of human schedules.

The company’s proprietary food pods maintain nutritional integrity while eliminating mess and inconvenience. The pods will work seamlessly with both Rayne’s prescription formulations and Savage Pet’s raw food offerings. 

“Sphinx is revolutionizing how we feed cats: personalized, precise and rooted in science,” said Audrey Brady, co-owner of Savage Cat Food. “We’re proud to team up with a product that delivers fresh food, perfectly portioned and tailored to support every cat’s unique health needs.”

According to Sphinx, analysts predict the startup’s success will continue expanding as the premium pet sector continues to grow with demand. 

“When major food companies actively seek partnerships with a startup, it validates our thesis that the industry is ready for disruption,” Barnekow added. “This isn't just about building a better feeder — it’s about creating an ecosystem that serves the modern cat owner’s expectations for technology, health and convenience.”

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