Buddy Bites, Happy Howl, James & Ella and three other startups will participate in the accelerator program. 

Three Black-woman owned pet care businesses will participate in the pilot program.

Selected startups will receive $200,000 in funding and guidance from world-leading pet care experts.

Founders from Dog & Whistle, Pawgone Good, Skona Pet Food and TREEV will compete for a grand prize of $10,000. 

In addition to Omni, the other startups in the eighth cohort include GeekoVet, Innovative Pet Lab, Scooch, VetVerifi and WIMBA.

Selected brands will receive $200,000 and tailor-made support from leading industry experts and investors.

Leap Venture Studio will host a pitch competition to elevate underrepresented founders of emerging brands.

The accelerator is now accepting applications for a new competition from startup founders of color.

Investors include Leap Venture Studio, Mars Petcare, R/GA Ventures and others.

Bundle x Joy and Blue Pet Co will participate in Leap Venture Studio & Academy’s seventh cohort.