LONDON — OMNI, a vet-backed, plant-based dog food startup announced on Jan. 20 it has raised £1.1 million ($1.5 million) from investors to aid in the company’s plans for expansion. The company was founded in 2020 by veterinarian Dr. Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar.

First-round investors include ProVeg International, Kale United, Purple Orange Ventures, Trellis Road and Shiocap. Other investors include Vera Baker, Brendan Robinson and FoodHack.

“Plant-based proteins for pets are becoming popular due to an overall concern about pet health and wellness and an overarching concern about sustainability,” Baker said. “Guy and Shiv have tapped into a booming trend and they are savvy enough to make it work.”

In 2021, OMNI joined the ProVeg Incubator’s accelerator program, which helps companies using plant-based proteins, to boost its growth.

“Plant-based alternatives are transforming the food industry,” said Albrecht Wolfmeyer, head of the ProVeg Incubator. “Now the pet food industry is ripe for change. OMNI is part of a new generation of impact-driven pet food companies focusing on sustainability and health.”

With its new investors, the company plans to expand its products with a lineup of plant-based dog treats. The treats will target health problems common in dogs, including anxiety, skin issues and joint problems.

The company is committed to providing dog owners with 100% plant-based, nutritionally complete food that is healthy for dogs’ and beneficial for the environment. Since its soft launch in the UK in May 2021, OMNI has seen a 55% average increase in monthly sales growth.

“More and more pet owners are going vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian, and many are taking their pets with them,” Sandelowsky said. “This market is already worth many billions of dollars a year worldwide and it will only get bigger – perhaps much, much bigger.”

According to research provider Insight Partners, the global vegan pet food market is predicted to reach $15 billion by 2028.

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