Pet care startup PetSutra raises angel funding

PetBuddy Products Private Limited, which runs pet care startup PetSutra, has raised Rs 95 lakh ($148,434) in an angel round from a group of investors, a company statement said.

The startup will use the funds to expand its brand presence across India and globally and thereby grow its customer base, the statement added.

Through a mobile app, PetSutra offers pet owners information about adoption and the health and wellness of their pets. Users can also connect to service providers for merchandise such as treats, toys, accessories, and pet food.

“PetSutra is an initiative to educate and help people in making the journey of their pets worthwhile. Our investors have faith in us and are as excited as we are. Given the magnitude at which the pet industry is growing, our efforts will show great results sooner than later,” said Amol Sharma, founder, PetSutra.

Sharma, who previously worked with Accenture and DuPoint, founded the startup in 2016.

After starting with its flagship Yak milk-based treat called Chewlicious, the Gurgaon-based company is now planning to expand into other categories such as grooming and wearable devices for pets.

“PetSutra’s aim to deliver a holistic ecosystem for pet parents leveraging the mobile app and internet supply, combined with their professional experience and a disciplined approach to using data to drive decision-making along with a strong work ethic, are very encouraging indicators for success,” Michael Patrick Hickey, one of the angel investors, said.

Deals in the pet care space
Other startups that raised funds in the pet care segment include TailsLife, run by ShorTails Technology Pvt. Ltd, which raised funds in a bridge round from existing investor Exfinity Ventures chairman V Balakrishnan in September last year.

In January 2017, Delhi-based luxury pet products portal Heads Up For Tails had raised $2 million from a group of high-net-worth individuals in a pre-Series A round. It had previously raised $1 million in seed funding from undisclosed investors in February 2016.

Other pets-focused startups are Waggle.in, a platform which allows dog owners find temporary homes; Delhi-based Collar Folk, which plans holidays for people who would like to take their pets along during vacations; Gurgaon-based Doggie Dabbas, a pet food ordering platform offering customised, nutritious and balanced diet for dogs; and Bengaluru-based Dogsee Chew, which sells natural and organic food for dogs.

Another player, DogSpot.in, run by Gurgaon-based Petsglam Services Pvt. Ltd, had also received an undisclosed amount of funding from Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, in January 2016.