Just-launched Pet Fund Ani.VC announces DOG PPL as First Investment

In the United States, the pet population is a significant portion of U.S. households, according to the American Pet Products Association with 66% reporting at least one pet in 2024. Total expenditures of $147.0 billion in 2023 are expected to grow to $195.6 billion by 2030.

AniVC , a recently announced pet venture fund, sees great investment opportunities, investing $35 million in U.S. companies, and Europe, and Asia over the next three years.

“Our pets are part of the family. Since humans already have access to modern telemedicine and testing, wellbeing-oriented social clubs, and longevity-focused care, among other advancements, their animal family members should too,” said Garri Zmudze , co-founder of Ani.VC and longevity and biotech investor.

Warren Rickard , former Head of Strategy at pet DNA service Basepaws, joins Zmudze as co-founder and Julie Liu joins as a partner. Rickard has over 15 years in the pet industry, co-founding companies, raising $50m+, and leading the Basepaws startup to a successful acquisition by Zoetis.?

For the past four years Liu invested at the intersection of software, science, and healthcare. She began her career in venture capital at Toba Capital which had multiple successful exits and held early stage investing roles at Bedford Bridge and Conscience VC.

The Miami and New York City-based fund’s first investment was made into DOG PPL, a canine social club. The “dog park-meets-social-club” has one location in Los Angeles with New York soon to open. Its canine members are screened for shot and vaccination status and temperament.

“The DOG PPL INC. team is thrilled to call Ani.VC our partner. Our core focus is fostering enrichment and community between dogs and their owners, making Ani.VC an ideal partner for this mission. It was essential for us to align with a team that recognizes not only the immeasurable value our animals bring into our lives, but also our duty to give them the best life experiences possible,” said Liam Underwood and Alexander Esguerra , co-founders of?DOG PPL.

The two DOG PPL co-founders are aligned with Zmudze who states their mission as fund managers is to make investments for their “singular goal to elevate the lives of pets and pet parents”.

Ani.VC focuses on the pet market comprised of multiple segments including animal longevity, pet health, therapeutics, veterinary services, consumables, digital services and e-commerce, and animal health.

To make key strategic decisions, the co-founders have drawn in the expertise of an advisory team comprised of animal aging researcher Dr. Matt Kaeberlein , Active Capital co-founder James (Jay) DeLong (who also leads Nestlé-Purina’s PetCare Innovation Prize), and veterinarian Caroline Heller who also serves as Rumin8’s Head of Animal Health Strategy & Business Development. ?