Let the Reverse Pitch...BEGIN!
The Innovation & Investment Pre-Day will gather 40+ investment firms across angel, venture capital and private equity reverse-pitching, outlining what they’re looking for, and their remit to invest, alongside meetings with relevant companies.
Lots of events say they do ‘matchmaking’, but we’re the experts at it!
MEET THE INVESTORS
Key Sessions
Key Sessions:
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Tuesday, 2 Dec, 202510:20am
Pet 101: Future-Proof Fast
A practical crash course on where the pet industry is headed — and how to play it, tailored for start-ups and investors ready to win.
Cut through the noise with key trends, quirks, risks, and opportunities shaping success in 2030 and ensure understanding of the environment you’re scaling in.
The essential guide for building or backing tomorrow’s pet businesses.
Session Topics:Trends & Industry OverviewsInvestment OpportunitiesScaling SmarterSpeaker(s):Session Type:General Session (Presentation)10:40amBeyond Scarcity: Solving The Pet Funding Puzzle
A candid look at the pet industries funding gaps: why early-stage capital is scarce, where investors are placing bets, and how founders are getting creative with capital.
From tapping into angel investors and leveraging crowdfunding platforms to forging creative partnerships, this solutions-oriented session offers founders practical advice for navigating todays funding maze.
Session Topics:Investment OpportunitiesScaling SmarterSpeaker(s):Moderator
Natalie Marks
Chief Executive OfficerVANEDr. Natalie Marks is a small animal veterinarian with over twenty years of clinical experience. She owned the largest animal hospital in Chicago. More recently, she has been the founder and president of MarksDVMConsulting, an educational and strategy consulting firm working with companies of all stages nationally and internationally. She is also on the Executive Committee of VANE, the premier veterinary angel network investor group. VANE currently has 28 portfolio companies and provides direction, connection, and funding to start-ups in the animal health space.
Panelists
Dace Graham
Founder Managing Partner1731MGMTSession Type:General Session (Presentation)11:10amMeet the Investors Reverse Pitch
We’re flipping the script…. again! After 2024’s sold out success it’s the return of the reverse pitch!
40+ investors, each with a dynamic two-minute pitch detailing their investment criteria, category preferences, stage of interest and what they look for in potential partners.
Following this reverse pitch the meeting scheduler will open to pre-book the afternoons 1-2-1 meetings.
Taking the guess work out of meetings so you can connect smarter and faster. Get ready, get comfortable and let the pitching begin!
Session Topics:Investment OpportunitiesScaling SmarterSpeaker(s):
Andrew Poley
Vice PresidentSan Francisco Equity PartnersAnna Skya
Founder & CEO/PartnerBasePaws/Ani.VC
Buff Greebe
Executive DirectorSKU
Chuck Johnson
Angel InvestorVANEDace Graham
Founder Managing Partner1731MGMTNatalie Marks
Chief Executive OfficerVANEDr. Natalie Marks is a small animal veterinarian with over twenty years of clinical experience. She owned the largest animal hospital in Chicago. More recently, she has been the founder and president of MarksDVMConsulting, an educational and strategy consulting firm working with companies of all stages nationally and internationally. She is also on the Executive Committee of VANE, the premier veterinary angel network investor group. VANE currently has 28 portfolio companies and provides direction, connection, and funding to start-ups in the animal health space.
Robert Diamond
CEOIdenti GroupRobert is a successful entrepreneur with a track record of creating value from customer data.
Robert is the co-owner and CEO of identicare, the UK’s largest pet microchip registration and pet protection services provider. Identi offers recurring-revenue subscription services to over 4 Million pet owners. In Feb 2024 Robert bought out his joint venture partner (Animalcare PLC) with backing from Bridgepoint Group, one of the UK’s leading private asset investors, in a transaction valued at £30 Million.
At the same time Robert continues to oversee Fernbrook Partners, a private portfolio covering early-stage technology and lifestyle investments and commercial property acquisition, development and leasing.
From 2011 - 2017 Robert helped the acquisition, turnaround and successful sale of RAC, the world’s oldest motoring organisation. In his executive role as Managing Director Motoring Services, he oversaw the data assets of RAC’s 8.2 Million members and also ran six data / digital businesses. He was actively involved in the post-acquisition integration of RAC by Carlyle Private Equity and subsequent exit to GIC Singapore in 2014 and CVC Partners in 2015.
Prior to this, in 2001 Robert founded what became emnos - the leading provider of ‘customer centric’ services and decision-support tools. Clients included top retailers (Target, Walgreens, Morrisons, Waitrose, Boots, Co-operative Group) and their FMCG suppliers. The business was sold to Palamon Private Equity in 2007 and sold on to American Express in 2011.
Robert spent the previous 13 years in marketing and sales roles in the consumer and retail industries.
Robert is an elected member and former board director of the Young Presidents Organisation and regular media contributor (and TED talker) on the use of customer data. He lives in the UK with his wife and four children.
Max Pluss
PrincipalRhea Capital ManagementSession Type:General Session (Presentation)1:30pmPitch Perfection: Building Winning Decks
Nail your pitch, protect your ideas, and win investor confidence.
This session breaks down what today’s investors want to see—from deck structure to storytelling flow—so you can command attention, communicate traction, and raise capital with clarity and conviction.
Session Topics:Scaling SmarterSpeaker(s):
Mark Florence
CEO & FounderBrisbyAgenda Track No.:Track 1Session Type:General Session (Presentation)Target Smarter: ICPs, Influencers, and Decision-Managers
Are you marketing to a myth?
Designed to give founders a cheat sheet for defining their true customer and where revenue can truly be generated.
This session decodes emotional drivers, pinpoints effective influencer channels, and helps you leverage in-clinic advocates effectively.
Sharpen your positioning, validate product–market fit, and build traction that converts.
Session Topics:Engaging Pet ParentsSpeaker(s):
Steve Kirton
PresidentCirca HealthcareAgenda Track No.:Track 2Session Type:General Session (Presentation)Unleash Profit Potential: From Pilot to Partnership: Smart Scaling Strategies for a Winning Exit
A successful exit is built into business foundations from day one.
Discover how to optimize growth, strengthen your business fundamentals, and position your company to attract top buyers and maximize returns when it’s time to sell.
Session Topics:Unleashing Profit PotentialInvestment OpportunitiesAgenda Track No.:Track 3Session Type:General Session (Presentation)2:30pmPre-Scheduled 1-2-1 Meetings
All present on the pre-day will have the ability to book up to six 1-2-1 meetings with investors and/or innovators present following the reverse pitch.
• Pre-Day Meetings are 20 minutes in length
• Guests will use the Swapcard event app to schedule meetings with fellow attendees.
• Access to the app will be provided 2 weeks prior to the event for attendees and 3 weeks ahead for event partners.
2.30-2.50 – Meeting 1
2.55-3.15 – Meeting 2
3.20-3.40 – Meeting 3
3.45-4.05 – Meeting 4
4.10-4.30 – Meeting 5
4.35-4.55 – Meeting 6
Session Topics:Networking OpportunitiesAgenda Track No.:Track 6Session Type:General Session (Presentation)
Meet the Investors in Pet: Reverse Pitch
Back by popular demand - our reverse style pitch where the Investors pitch to you! They will share their investment criteria, areas of interest and what they look for in potential partners.
Pet Pitfalls: Pitching, Planning and Potential Partners
Leading investors in pet will discuss the current state of the investment landscape, emerging trends, and the kind of innovators they are looking to see.
Stay tuned for confirmed Investors in 2025.
Welcome Drinks Reception for Pre-day
Relax, reflect and refresh with us the night before the main conference at our drinks reception. This is your chance to recap on the day’s conversations while reconnecting with friends, both old and new.