Pet food startup Smalls raises $9 million

NYC-based Smalls announced a $9 million Series A financing round led by Left Lane Capital. This latest round, which includes participation from previous investors Founder Collective and Companion Fund, brings the company’s total funding raised to $12 million.

Founded in 2017, Smalls is a team of 32 people targeting the ~94 million pet cats in the US with human-grade, fresh food for cats.

“Cat parents want to give their cats the absolute best, but the majority of what’s available is effectively junk food, disguised as health food. About 60% of cats in the US are overweight or obese, an epidemicbeing fueled by heritage brands and their vested interest in the status quo: poor quality ingredients, and unhealthy formulas. Smalls is bringing the much needed fresh food revolution that’s taken the dog industry by storm and tailoring it for cats and cat people. For the first time, felines are being put first.” – Matt Michaelson, Co-founder of Smalls.

Bottom Line: ~95% of VC funding in the pet food industry has been invested in dog-centric companies.