Three pet food companies have been recognised in a national listing for successful start-up firms.
KatKin, Mr Bug and Scooch all featured in the Startups 100 Index for 2024. Run by Startups.co.uk, the Index showcases the top 100 new UK businesses based on five key areas of analysis – finance, external validation, size of opportunity, innovativeness of idea and strength of concept. To feature, all businesses in the index had to have launched in the last five years, be UK-based, and be privately owned (at the time of entering). The winners of the Startups 100 Index are chosen by a specialist panel of judges.
Fresh cat food and treats subscription service KatKin was ranked number four in the list, with judges paying tribute to both its product quality and level of innovation. Mr Bug, which produces of insect-based pet treats made from mealworms, was named as number 54, while AI-powered pet healthcare subscription Scooch was ranked 55.
Mr Bug was also crowned winner of the Just Started Award selected by the UK Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay. The award celebrates fast-growth firms founded in the year before their application was submitted.
Barclay said: “Mr Bug is tapping into what will be a growing need, taking the risk as an ‘early adopter’ and innovating, demonstrating one practical solution whilst shifting public opinion and human behaviour.
“Mr Bug is innovative, growing impressively and demonstrating the potential to play an important part in resolving impending food supply insecurity exacerbated by climate change. What is starting small today could soon have huge potential around the globe.”
Mr Bug founder Conal Cunningham added: “In 2023 we were lucky enough to win a number of pet industry and sustainability-themed awards so to follow this up so early in 2024 with a prestigious business award is beyond our wildest hopes.”
