Big Idea Ventures and Mars Petcare have announced the selection of three pioneering firms for the 2025 Next Generation Pet Food Program, an initiative aimed at driving sustainable innovation in pet nutrition. Supported by partners AAK, Bühler, and Givaudan, the program focuses on breakthrough innovations in biotech-based ingredients, critical nutrients, and circular feed systems.
This year’s appeal garnered 165 applications from 39 countries, reflecting worldwide enthusiasm toward more sustainable pet food alternatives. Following a comprehensive review of innovation, scalability, and sustainability effect, three notable organisations have entered the 2025 cohort:
-For pet food and feed applications, ALT-PRO Advantage (Canada) is a microalgae platform that uses illuminated fermentation to naturally create essential nutrients like taurine and arachidonic acid.
–Seaqure Labs is a biotech company established in Sweden that uses mycelium fermentation to upcycle industrial byproducts to create fungus-based aquafeed components.
-An Indian firm called Terramatter is turning industrial waste and pollutants into useful fermented proteins for environmentally friendly pet food and feed.
“These startups represent the next chapter of pet nutrition , where science, biotechnology, and sustainability converge,” said Andrew D. Ive, Founder and General Managing Partner at Big Idea Ventures. “Together with Mars Petcare and our partners, we aim to develop ingredients that positively impact pets, people, and the planet.”
Elisabetta Pierangelo, Global Vice President R&D, Mars Pet Nutrition, added, “Reimagining the future of pet food demands bold innovation. These startups are bringing forward solutions that address environmental impact and ingredient security in meaningful ways.”
The program will give participants access to cutting-edge R&D resources, mentorship, and collaboration possibilities with top industry leaders. The businesses will showcase their innovations to a global audience of investors and industry experts during the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore (November 4–6, 2025), which will mark the initiative’s culmination.
A increasing trend in the global pet food market is reflected in the Next Generation Pet Food Program, which places an emphasis on biotech-driven innovation and sustainable ingredient sourcing to meet canine nutritional demands while minimising environmental effect.