Buddy Bites, a pet food company known for its shelter donation program, has raised $1 million in seed funding. The round includes investment from Leap Venture Studio, a prominent pet care startup accelerator backed by Mars Petcare and Michelson Found Animals.
The fresh capital will fuel Buddy Bites’ expansion efforts in its existing markets of Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. The company also plans to enter Taiwan later this year and introduce new product lines.
As part of the investment, Buddy Bites will participate in Leap Venture Studio’s 12-week accelerator program. This opportunity provides tailored mentorship, fundraising preparation, and access to pitch to top investors in the pet care industry.
Rachel Sheppard, director of ventures at Mars Petcare and co-lead of Leap Venture Studio, expressed enthusiasm about Buddy Bites joining their latest cohort. She praised the company’s commitment to premium dog food and impactful shelter support program.
Chris Lee, CEO and co-founder of Buddy Bites, called the funding a “turning point” that strengthens their position for growth and ability to assist more sheltered dogs.
Since launching in 2020, Buddy Bites has donated over 7 million meals to animal shelters. The company currently provides about 15,000 kilograms of food monthly to 12 shelters, feeding nearly 2,000 dogs at no cost.
With this new funding boost, Buddy Bites aims to expand its reach and impact across Asia and the UK, offering more dogs access to their veterinarian-approved, gut-friendly premium food.
