Calling all innovative start-ups

Are you a founder looking to gain traction?

Attract and build a trusted group of advisors, board members, co-founders
Connect with a varied pool of capital (angel, VC, Family Office, Foundations, PE)
Initiate and progress relationships with strategic partners (co-development, licensing, investment, distribution, acquisition)
Showcasing technologies at all stages of development
Have a product, platform or process from Biopharma, Diagnostics, Med/ Vet Tech & Nutrition that meet a well-defined need, across all species, large and small

Showcasing Innovations for large and small animals across:

Biopharma

Biopharma breakthroughs in next generation therapies. TIncluding novel biologics, therapeutics, antibiotic alternatives and pain management solutions transforming animal health.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic developers driving earlier, smarter detection. Including point-of-care tools, wearable sensors, AI-powered imaging and advanced molecular diagnostics.

Tech

Technology trailblazers leading the digital transformation. Are you reshaping how data, care delivery and operations are managed across the animal health ecosystem from device, delivery, telemedicine to smart farming, to AI and PMS?

Nutrition

Next generation Nutrition - from precision, functional, and sustainable nutritional solutions. Are you reshaping the optimisation of animal health through feed and ingredients?

Discovery

NEW for 2026

The Discovery Showcase is built for early-stage companies developing innovative solutions for animal health at the discovery, preclinical, or proof-of-concept stage.

What's in it for me?

For Applicants

Feedback: You will receive feedback from the Selection Committee on your pitch deck

For all applicants attending AHNTI in person, you will also receive.

Promotion: You will be added to our 'One to Watch' Directory, which will be distributed physically and digitally during the event.
Connections: You can request 3 introductions to other attendees prior to the event to be facilitated by the AHNTI team.

aheu_website_photos_82.png

START YOUR APPLICATION

For Finalists

aheu_website_photos_84.png

All of the above, plus…
Promotion: You will be promoted prior to the event across all AHNTI communication channels, including email, web and LinkedIn.
Connections: You will be invited to attend an exclusive Reception on the evening of Tuesday October 27 to meet and connect with their fellow finalists and members of the Judging and Selection Committee
Stage Time: You will pitch on our main stage on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 27 to our entire audience
Onsite promotion: You will be promoted via onsite signage across the duration of the event
Social promotion: You will be interviewed by our Content team, to be shared across all AHNTI communication channels, including email, web and LinkedIn post event.

New for AHNTI Boston 2026

For the first time, AHNTI Boston is launching a dedicated Discovery Showcase: spotlighting the next generation of animal health innovation at its earliest stages.

A new platform for early-stage animal health innovators to showcase validated discovery-stage innovation to the investors and partners building the future of the industry.

The Discovery Showcase is built for early-stage companies developing innovative solutions for animal health at the discovery, preclinical, or proof-of-concept stage.

This is your opportunity to showcase cutting-edge science and technology before full commercialization and engage directly with an audience actively looking for what’s next.

Unlike AHNTI’s traditional showcase, the Discovery Showcase is designed to:

Give early-stage innovation its own platform, not competing with later-stage companies
Connect you with the right audience for your stage including angels and strategic partners
Position your company within the future pipeline of animal health innovation

You should apply if you are:

Advancing a solution in animal health (companion or livestock)
At the discovery, preclinical, or proof-of-concept stage
Built on a validated scientific, technical, or platform-based approach
Looking to connect with angel investors, strategic partners, and R&D collaborators

This showcase is specifically designed for companies working within:

Discovery
Preclinical development
Proof of concept

We prioritize development stage over funding stage, whether you are pre-seed, seed, or early venture-backed.

What Advice Would You Give to Companies Preparing to Pitch?

We asked our Selection Committee for their advice when putting together your pitch for the Innovation Showcase.

Configure your pitch/ company so that it is clear that your company/products solve relevant unmet needs. Demonstrate a deep understanding of your customers (not just the animals = patients), i.e. animal, vet, vet clinic, pet parent/ farmer, competitors, existing products, any other releveant stakeholder.

Andreas Kastenbauer, Partner, MIG Capital AG

Be prepared, ensure you have a tight and engaging deck that takes no more than 10 minutes to present and be able to answer questions succinctly and with confidence.

Jamie Crittall, Co-Founder & Member, Animal Health Angels

Have a succinct and focused pitch deck showing knowledge of the industry, that there is a demonstrated need to solve this problem, that there is IP, a focused business model, strong founder team, and thoughtful exit strategy.

Natalie Marks, CEO, VANE

Make the case of how you can move from startup to scale. Startup mentality is fabulous but moving into scale is not discussed enough.

James Barr, Chief Medical Officer, Mars Science & Diagnostics

Be clear on the problem you're trying to solve. Be realistic on the resources you need, and the clinical and economic benefit you're delivering.

Greg Blair, SVP, Business Development, Zomedica

Be prepared with a data room and second and third round questions. Don’t forget the importance of market research to support your business thesis.

Julia Stephanus, Partner, Borealis Ventures

Your 2025 Finalists

Learn more about the Finalists:

Thank you to our Selection Committee

The AHNTI EU 2026 Selection Committee members helped pick our finalists for this years Innovation Showcase. They represent collaborations across Biopharma, Diagnostics, Med/ Vet Tech and Nutrition at all stages of development.

Andreas Kastenbauer

Partner
MIG Capital
Dr. Jamie Crittall

Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Pet Records Ltd
Jolian Howell

Chief Commercial Officer
Carus Animal Health
Natalie Marks

Chief Executive Officer
VANE
Paul Dick

President
Paul Dick & Associates
Oliver Viner

Co-Founder & Chief Veterinary Technology Officer
Hello Vet
Julia Stephanus

Partner
Borealis Ventures
Cindy Cole

Partner
Digitalis Ventures
Alexander Petersen

Managing Director & Animal Health Lead
DanaShift
Jimmy Barr

Chief Medical Officer
Mars Science & Diagnostics
Philippe Tramoy

Partner
Seventure Partners
Daniel Kolb

Direct Investment
Athos Service Family Office
Camilla Bünner Kruse

Strategic Partner & Tech Scouting Manager
Cargill

+ See More

Momentum by the Numbers

117

startups have taken to the Innovation Showcase Stage

47

secured funding post-showcase

67%

average increase in funding amount post-showcase

19

acquired or merged with strategic partner after presenting

Now in its 11th year, the AHNTI Innovation Showcase has been THE destination for Founders looking to gain traction in the animal health sector. Finalists take the main stage to pitch to the largest global gathering of senior leaders from strategic partners, deal makers, investors and collaborators.

The 16 chosen Finalists will pitch to our audience of 850+ leaders in London March 2, 2026. With Best-in-Class winners announced across Nutrition, Biopharma, Diagnostics & Technology.

Innovation Showcase