KatKin, a London-based pet tech platform, has secured $22M in a Series A funding round co-led by Verlinvest and Perwyn, along with previous investor Octopus Ventures and strategic angels. The latest round brings the total amount raised to $28M.
How will the funding be used?
The UK company will use the funds to invest in personalised health plans and the development of new fresh-cooked recipes. KatKin is also planning to expand its fresh-cooked manufacturing site for cats, creating new jobs within KatKin’s growing team.
KatKin is also planning to launch sustainable tofu-based and health-indicated litters, worming tablets, and flea treatments this year – with smart tech, stimulating toys, and fairer insurance in the pipeline.
Serving cat market
Founded by siblings Brett O’Farrell and Nikki O’Farrell, KatKin is serving the burgeoning cat market in a world where 96% of venture funding in pet-tech goes to dog-centric businesses.
Brett O’Farrell, the KatKin co-founder, says, “KatKin began when Nikki and I questioned what we were feeding our cats Molly, Kiki, and Columbus. The more we asked, the more horrified we were at what we found. Currently, mainstream cat food is stale – packed with cheap ingredients, hard-to-understand labels, and fluffed-up claims. As a result, it’s difficult to find what’s best, and customers are frustrated. In contrast, the demand is huge for KatKin – we’re doubling in size and customer base every six months. We’re grateful to Lopo and Cecile at Verlinvest and Andrew at Perwyn, as well as for the continued support from Octopus and our angel investors. This support doesn’t just invest in our business but also the health and happiness of cats and cat parents.”
The platform aims to replicate what cats evolved to eat in the wild – a high-quality protein, high moisture, and grain-free diet like that found in fresh meat.
With the help of a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, the company formulates each recipe using 100% human-grade meat, gently steam cooked, and frozen fresh.
Food personalisation
Through its proprietary algorithm, the company also allows food personalisation for an individual cat based on various inputs, including weight, size, age, activity level, and medical conditions.
KatKin has delivered around 9M fresh meals to over 80,000 happy, healthy cats across the UK.
Nikki O’Farrell, the KatKin co-founder, adds, “We’re cat parents that love hard. Cat wellbeing happens to be our profession, but it’s our passion first. And it shows – we’re the highest-rated cat food brand on Trustpilot. It’s all about creating awareness among cat parents and bringing them together as a community to drive change in the cat food industry. With fresh, personalised, and individual meals costing less than other premium brands and most mid-market brands, we’re on a mission to get all cats thriving.”
More than 80% of cat parents report real-life improvements:
- 62% said their cat was more playful and energetic.
- 65% felt shiny, strokable coats.
- More than half reported improved digestion, claims the company.
Lopo Champalimaud, Board Director, Verlinvest, says, “I am very excited to partner with Brett, Nikki, and the KatKin team on their journey to revolutionise the pet food sector by offering healthy and fresh cat food at competitive prices. This is a sector that Verlinvest has been looking at for some time, and KatKin is exactly the kind of innovative and disruptive brand that we love to support on its way to global leadership. Our cats deserve better. ”
Andrew Wynn, founder, and Managing Partner, Perwyn, says, “Following our previous investment in the healthy pet food sector and the invaluable experience that we built up in this market, it has been a delight to get to know Nikki and Brett and to learn about KatKin and the enormous success they have had with their brand. We are very excited to partner with them and to build the next chapter in KatKin’s story.”
