vHive Launches Second Cohort to Drive Innovation in Animal Health

The University of Surrey’s animal health innovation incubator, vHive, has recently launched its second cohort of startups, building on a dynamic ecosystem aimed at advancing animal health innovation.

With SETsquared Surrey’s support, the incubator leverages a blend of academic research and industry expertise to enable the growth of early-stage companies in animal health and biotech. This collaboration supports both emerging startups and industry veterans, enabling a broad range of innovative solutions across animal healthcare.

Sarah Aitchison, vHive’ s Incubation Manager, shares insights into the programme’s unique approach: “We’re creating a holistic ecosystem, bringing together cutting-edge research with industry insights, enabling companies to access the exact support they need, from early research to market entry.”

The Importance of Collaboration

The partnership between vHive and SETsquared Surrey provides a distinctive structure. Companies in vHive receive six months of fully funded access to SETsquared’s incubator resources, including business strategy sessions, mentorship, and office space. Additionally, these companies benefit from vHive’s sector-specific expertise, which focuses on animal health innovations and the nuanced challenges of the industry. The programme is funded by global animal health company Zoetis, who also provide vital industry support, partnership and collaboration.

These collaborations facilitate a supportive and tightly knit network. Sarah notes, “Every mentor I’ve approached has been enthusiastic about what we’re doing—supporting startups in animal health is overdue, and people are eager to contribute to something this unique.”

Building Momentum in the Animal Health Sector

Since its founding, vHive has created a valuable platform for companies at all stages of their development. The first cohort saw companies ranging from pre-seed to Series A, with several notable funding rounds achieved during the incubator programme. One early-stage company successfully closed a Series A round, raising over  $4 million, while another completed a pre-seed raise.

In addition to providing links to financial backing, vHive connects companies with sector-specific mentors, helping them navigate the complex terrain of animal health innovation. Sarah describes the value of non-sector-specific mentors, as well: “It’s essential to have outside perspectives that can challenge the status quo of our industry, which can be quite insular.”

Spotlight on Cohort Two

The newly onboarded second cohort brings an exciting range of companies, addressing diverse needs in animal health and biotech:

• IntelliVet: This early-stage company has developed an AI diagnostic tool for veterinary use, specialising in complex disease identification.
• Moggie: Focused on pet care, this UK-based company offers wearable technology for cats, aiming to provide real-time health monitoring and pre-emptive alerts.
• AITEM: An Italian startup developing an AI-powered co-pilot tool to assist veterinarians with diagnostics.
• AGA2tech: Dedicated to combatting antimicrobial resistance in poultry, offering alternative solutions to traditional antibiotics.
• CanCan Diagnostics: Specialising in cancer diagnosis for older dogs, they bring a vital service to animal healthcare.
•  Vidiia: The first of its kind in the programme, this company focuses on accelerating diagnostic assay development for rapid disease detection.

Future Milestones and Industry Events

Looking forward, vHive is preparing for a significant industry event in February—a showcase coinciding with a major animal health conference in London. This event will highlight the incubator’s achievements over the past year and introduce the second cohort to a wider audience. Sarah says, “The showcase will be an exciting opportunity to celebrate our journey so far while demonstrating the impact these startups are already making.”

The Path Ahead

With the support of SETsquared Surrey and vHive’s sector-specific focus, these startups are well-positioned to accelerate their innovations, foster industry partnerships, and drive meaningful change in animal health. As Sarah reflects, “It’s inspiring to be part of a network where we’re not just supporting companies but truly moving the needle in animal health innovation.”

The incubator continues to invite companies with diverse approaches to animal health, as vHive aims to become a hub for pioneering solutions in the sector.