Tech Bros in Pet Care: Disruptors or Just Plain Destructive?

What is the place of so-called "tech bros" in industries such as veterinary medicine? I've written previously about my view that it's important pet-care founders are true pet lovers, but the recent blow up of one of the pet-tech darlings has many calling for an end to "outsiders" starting businesses in the space.?

It's easy to see where the frustration is coming from. Seeing an industry you're passionate about treated purely as a business opportunity can be infuriating, especially when you're dealing with living beings whose welfare is at stake. Some folks come in with big tech ideas and zero knowledge about animal care, and it can lead to real problems. I've heard my fair share of horror stories about how this kind of mindset can harm clinical standards and lead to ever-increasing cost of care.

But it's not all gloom and doom. I've seen some truly phenomenal collaborations between vets and these so-called "outsiders". When we bring together the expertise of veterinary professionals with the innovative ideas and resources of tech-minded entrepreneurs, we've seen some serious magic happen. From emergency-only clinics to telemedicine, a lot has happened in the past decade in this space.

Business model innovations, groundbreaking products, new options for pet care, improved customer experiences, the list goes on. These aren't just good for business, they're great for pets and pet parents too. And let's face it, the industry could use a bit of shaking up every now and then.

So, what's the answer then? Should we give "tech bros" the boot from the pet care world? It's that simple, nor that drastic. What we need isn't exclusion, but education.

Anybody who wants to dip their toes into veterinary medicine or pet care needs to know what they're getting into. They should spend time with vets, attend conferences, volunteer at animal shelters, and definitely scoop some poop. They need to learn that this isn't just a business sector, but a community with a shared passion for animals.

Most importantly, they need to see pets not just as revenue streams. That's the secret ingredient in our industry: the love for animals. You can't fake it, and you can't succeed without it.

So, to all the outsiders looking to cross over into the pet industry like I have, come on in, but leave your profits-only mindset at the door. Bring new tech, bring new disruption, but don't forget to bring your heart too. Because in this field, that's what really matters.