MassChallenge

EverChew keeps pets safe and entertained for hours on end.

Pezzy Pets produces healthy high-protein, low-calorie treats made of wild Mexican devil fish for pets.

Therapeutic Vision focuses on the development of pharmaceuticals primarily for the companion animal market and eventually their owners.

Cat in a Flat is a cat-loving, cat-sitting community that connects cat owners with trusted and insured cat sitters in their neighbourhood. Its mission is to help cats stay in the comforts of their own home while the owner is away. No more stress, no more catteries, no more guilt. Cat in a Flat is a start-up in the sharing economy using geo location search, notification system, online booking calendar and mobile payment. Each sitter can set their own rate and has their own well designed web page as part of our system - like a digital business card. Cat owners can review, rate and share the best sitters and build long-lasting cat-loving relationships. Cat sitters undergo all the checks and are required to write a full, personal profile.

Next Pet helps municipalities to build a healthier, safer, and smarter pet community. It connects pets and pet owners by providing a web and mobile platform where they can help each other, save money, and time. GoPetie is revolutionizing the pet licensing and animal control functions within cities and towns with a next-generation software that utilizes the world's first mobile licensing platform integrates remote pet photo recognition and a lost pet recovery service. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Aniluxx Biotechnology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative topical therapeutics for companion animals, specifically targeting skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and osteoarthritis. Founded in 2019 and located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the company aims to improve the health and well-being of pets by utilizing a pipeline of topically formulated therapeutics based on compounds that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in humans. These therapeutics are designed to be easy to apply and virtually unnoticeable, minimizing the harsh side effects commonly associated with systemic medications. Through its efforts, Aniluxx Biotechnology seeks to provide effective and user-friendly treatment options for dogs, cats, and horses suffering from various skin conditions.

Awayte offers pet owners a preplanned platform or services to keep their pets safe, cared for and loved after they are gone.

Buppy Pets is a manufacturer of dog food. They also deliver their products. They produce their products using dried rosemary, dried oregano, and ground cinnamon.

Adopets, Inc. specializes in providing a software platform that enhances the pet adoption process by connecting shelters and rescues with potential adopters. Established in 2016 and based in South Portland, Maine, the company offers tools that allow users to search for adoptable pets, including various animals such as dogs, cats, and more. The platform simplifies the management of pet adoptions, enabling users to submit applications directly through the site. Adopets aims to ensure that every adoptable animal has the opportunity to find a loving home while supporting shelters in their mission to care for animals.

Host a Pet is an online marketplace designed to connect pet owners with certified hosts offering pet boarding services. The platform facilitates a range of services, including dog walking, training, transportation, and grooming, providing pet owners with alternatives to traditional kennels. Each host is carefully vetted to ensure they are responsible and provide a nurturing environment for pets. This business model not only offers pet owners peace of mind but also creates job opportunities and allows hosts to earn additional income by caring for pets in their homes.

Dig has developed a dating app that connects dog people based on what is important to them: their need for their future significant other to be compatible with their four-legged companion and the lifestyle of being a dog owner or lover. Dig is a novel app at the intersection of the booming pet tech and online dating industries. Dig has created a community of the most dedicated and emotional dog-lovers and dog owners. Dig leverages the demand for pet-forward relationships, experiences, and data by connecting the dog-loving community online as well as through localized events. In the US alone, there are 20 million single dog owners age 25 and over. Dig connects pet companies with this growing market with some of the lowest costs of user acquisition in the dating industry. Dig users range from 18-75+. The majority of Dig users are 25-35 year old single dog-owners and dog-lovers in US metro areas. Dig’s users are strongly attached pet parents and those who see themselves as future pet parents. Small/medium dog businesses are customers for the daily deal and event sponsorships, and larger pet companies and businesses that want to be known as dog-friendly are partners and customers for larger sponsorships and co-promotional campaigns, and monthly Dig deals advertisement placements. Companies pay Dig through vendors and sponsorships for Dig events, to be featured on the Dig custom-built in-app advertising platform "daily deals," and for co-promotional creative and content for the Dig Unleashed blog and newsletter. Dig app users will pay for in-app purchases and monthly subscription tiers. Dig offers a variety of free features to enhance the dating-with-dogs experience, and additional paid feature options are being developed. Global Dating Insights says Dig "has been a viral hit over the past 12 months, landing features in Forbes, Bloomberg, Cosmopolitan, Cheddar and more," and "CEO Leigh Isaacson is building a highly engaged community of pet lovers and creating one of the sector’s strongest niche offerings." See all Dig press at DigDates.com/press.

JustSpot.me is a smart location device that doesn’t need to be charged. It is lightweight, small and waterproof, with a customizable minimalist design and trendy colors. What sets us apart is also that JustSpot.me is charge free, affordable, and easy to use. Existing trackers use Bluetooth or cellular network - they have a short range or need daily charging. Their device works over any distance and the battery can last up to 4 years. Put it in forget it!

Laelaps specializes in the production of advanced GPS tracking collars designed specifically for hunting and outdoor dogs. The company's tracking system combines GPS, VHF radio, and Bluetooth technology to provide real-time location tracking. This innovative system allows dog owners to receive location updates via text messages, ensuring they remain connected to their pets. Laelaps collars are known for their durability, waterproof design, and extensive range coverage, making them suitable for outdoor use. Additionally, the collars feature a long-lasting battery life, further enhancing their reliability for dog owners in various environments.

PetsEmpower is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting domestic abuse survivors by providing temporary pet fostering services. Located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the organization enables individuals in crisis to escape violent situations while ensuring the safety and well-being of their pets. By offering short-term fostering, PetsEmpower helps maintain the vital bond between people and their furry companions during challenging times, allowing survivors to focus on their recovery and transition. This service not only aids in preserving relationships with pets but also offers a compassionate solution for those facing difficult circumstances.

QSM Diagnostics, Inc. is a Boston-based company founded in 2014 as a spin-off from the Goluch Group at Northeastern University. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of point-of-care diagnostics for the rapid identification of bacterial infections, particularly focusing on ear infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dogs. QSM Diagnostics offers testing kits that utilize single-use disposable sensor technology to detect target molecules at the wound site. This innovation aids veterinarians and physicians in enhancing their diagnostic accuracy and treatment plans, ultimately improving animal care. With decades of experience in medical device development, QSM Diagnostics is committed to advancing veterinary diagnostics through its electrochemical sensors and medical devices.

Dognostica is an innovative screening company that offers low cost, highly accurate, non-invasive tests for different types of diseases, initially the most common cancers. The system harnesses dogs' proven ability to detect cancer, enhanced by proprietary measurements. The founders have developed a novel patent-protected, process which offers higher reproducibility and productivity whilst ensuring high welfare standards for the dogs. Building on the founders' expertise, who have more than 40 years combined experiences, in handling dogs, working with world-leading security units dealing with explosives and drugs, the team has developed ways to address the hurdles which have prevented others from turning dogs' noses into reliable disease screening tools.

Litter One offers a biodegradable, all-inclusive cat litter system designed for convenience and ease of use. Each kit includes a litter box, pine pellet litter, a scoop, and waste bags, all of which are delivered directly to the customer's door. The system functions by allowing cat urine to transform the pellets into sawdust, which then falls through a patented false floor. After 4-6 weeks of use, the kit can be easily closed and disposed of, with a new kit already on the way for the owner. This innovative approach provides a practical, eco-friendly solution for cat waste maintenance.

Millions of pets are lost each year, and microchips are only helpful if your pet is found and scanned. This process can take days or weeks, and the anxiety can be unbearable. Even if found, fewer than 50% of pets with microchips are returned to their owners. Their pets are members of the family. With Pip, they have worked hard to raise the bar in terms of quality, comfort, and ease of use. They look forward to bringing Pip into your family and helping make the world a safer place for their pets.