Why Attend
With 68% of USA households owning at least one pet, according to the American Pet Products Association, the pampering and humanization of pets has become a lucrative consumer trend, with the global pet market estimated to be worth $109 billion.
From momentous transactions such as General Mills’ acquisition of Blue Buffalo and J.M. Smucker’s acquisition of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, to a flurry of minority investments such as Softbanks’ investment in Wag and Main Post Partners’ investment in Nulo, it is clear that strategic buyers, venture capital and private equity alike continue to have a strong and growing appetite for the pet industry.
The Pets & Money Summit is an exclusive one-day event, connecting industry executives from strategic buyers, financial buyers and pet brands.
The event will showcase the latest innovations disrupting the industry, explore key trends and consumer priorities, and identify actionable strategies you can use to grow your business or secure your next acquisition target.
This is your chance to -
- Understand how changing trends in the pet industry such as the rise of ecommerce and direct-to-consumer selling should shape your M&A decisions and business’ growth strategy.
- Determine what strategic buyers and financial buyers are looking for, to ensure you have the competitive edge over other pet brands looking for investment or acquisition.
- Discover and personally connect with the hottest pet brands, ripe for investment and acquisition to enhance your M&A pipeline.
- Establish an optimal strategy for growth, reoccurring revenue and omnichannel distribution, from the lessons of industry leaders and the perspective of established pet retailers.
- Meet with your pet industry networking wish list, through our private meeting scheduler application, to find your next business opportunity.
Who Will Be There
Brands
Expect exciting and innovative brands from accross all pet categories:
- Food
- Treats
- Supplements
- Accessories
- Hard Products
- Insurance
- Retail
- Services
- Technology
- Everything else!
Industry Supporting Companies
- Executives from Retailers & Global Distributors
- Leadership Executives from Strategic Buyers
- Business Development Teams from Strategic Buyers
- Private Equity, Venture Capital and Angel Investors
- Investment Bankers
- Lawyers and M&A Advisors
- Market Intelligence and Consultancy Providers
Speakers
Bryan Jaffe
Cascadia Capital is an independent investment bank providing middle-market entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses with merger and acquisition advice, capital raising and strategic advisory services. For nearly two decades, the firm has strived to deliver the best outcomes for its clients by leveraging its extensive transaction experience, deep domain expertise and commitment to building long-term relationships. Cascadia is a pure advisory firm and is not conflicted by trading, lending, research or cross-selling business. For more information, visit the firm's website at www.cascadiacapital.com
Adam Holber
Michael Landa
Gabby Slome
Gabby Slome is the co-founder and chief experience officer of Ollie, a national company that delivers freshly cooked, human-grade food that’s tailored to each dog’s nutritional needs. A former equestrian, Slome has had a lifelong passion for animals, and founded Ollie to improve the lives of dogs and revolutionize the $30 billion pet food industry.
Prior to Ollie, Slome served as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Primary Ventures. Slome has also held executive roles at Vente-Privée U.S.A. and Primary.com
Slome lives in New York City with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog Pancho.
# # #
Gabby Slome on Social
Twitter - https://twitter.com/gabbyslome
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellegaddy/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gibblesanbits/
Holly Ganz
Holly is a microbial ecologist with a BS from George Washington University, a MS from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a PhD from UC Davis. She was a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley. Prior to creating AnimalBiome, she studied microbes in dogs and cats at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the UC Davis Genome Center
Josh McDowell
Roy Stein
Roy Stein is an executive with extensive experience in both the corporate and new venture worlds, leading mature business units to revenues in the hundreds of millions of dollars and founding startups from idea to acquisition. He is Founder and CEO of BabelBark, a comprehensive software platform with mobile applications, intelligent cloud analytics and marketing tools that connects owners, their dogs, veterinarians and vendors in a comprehensive and completely integrated solution. BabelBark combines 24/7 activity monitoring, veterinarian guided wellness programs, regional service providers and tailor matched products to prescriptively and proactively ensure the health and happiness of dogs.
Yaroslav Azhnyuk
Yaroslav is a Co-founder and CEO at Petcube, a technology company dedicated to connecting pets to the internet.
Prior to that, he has co-founded Internet Initiatives, an NGO dedicated to promoting digital literacy in Ukraine, and SM Digital, a digital advertising boutique which he later sold to Prodigi - the leading digital agency in Ukraine at the time. Yaroslav got his masters in computer science from Applied Math faculty of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. He currently spends all of his time working on Petcube, in company's San Francisco headquarters.
Yaroslav is passionate about pets, people, models of thinking, and reinventing the way people learn things.
Ben Jacobs
Ben Jacobs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Whistle, acquired by Mars. He now works on building teams and tools to move faster and engage with start-ups, including incubation efforts, venture capital, and an accelerator. Ben is Head of Ventures at Mars Petcare, helping accelerate start-ups across efforts from the global leader in pet care, including $100M fund focused on the space.
Nate Phillips
Nate Phillips, CEO and co-founder of NomNomNow, is an expert in finance and entrepreneurship. After experiencing the powerful benefits of fresh pet food first hand with his family pets, Nate set out to change the $30 billion pet food industry by creating the healthiest, most effective nutrition for pets in the world. A graduate of UC Berkeley’s School of Law, Nate spent nearly a decade as in-house counsel at a variety of finance and technology firms including Morgan Stanley and Salesforce. Prior to co-founding NomNomNow, Nate also started companies in the finance, tech and real estate industries.
Dr Judy Morgan DVM
Ben Zvaifler
Ryan Bethencourt
Ryan is a co-founder and CEO at Wild Earth, bringing years of experience in leading, building and advising high-growth food and biotechnology companies. Ryan is a biotech entrepreneur, investor, and one of the founders of the biohacker movement. He’s a co-founder, former Program Director, and Venture Partner at IndieBio and has invested in over 70 early stage biotech startups and served as the head of life sciences at the XPRIZE Foundation. As an ethical vegan, Ryan is passionate about the future of biology as a technology, applied across all industries to solve some of humanity’s most intractable problems. Ryan fosters dogs for Rocket Dog Rescue and is passionate about mindfulness, meditation, and mentoring. His work at the interface of science, food, and business has been covered by many major publications.
Bobby Modi
Bobby currently sits as Vice President of Pet Growth & Strategy at J.M Smucker with over 18 years of service working in the consumer goods industry.
Education
- Northwestern University – MBA, Marketing, Finance, Strategy with Distinction
- University of Cincinnati – Bachelor’s, Chemical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude
YEARS OF SERVICE
18 years
CURRENT ROLE
Vice President, Pet Growth & Strategy
May 29, 2018
SMUCKER ROLE HISTORY
Vice President, General Manager, Away From Home
Vice President, General Manager - Smucker Natural Foods
Vice President, Marketing – Canada
Director, Marketing – Coffee
Manager, Marketing – Coffee
Manager, Marketing
Brand Manager – Coffee
2018
2014-2018
2012-2014
2011-2012
2009-2011
2008-2009
2002-2008
EXPERIENCE
PRIOR TO SMUCKER
Procter & Gamble – Brand Manager (Folgers)
Senior Engineer R&D – North American/Latin American Laundry
EDUCATION
Northwestern University – MBA, Marketing, Finance, Strategy with Distinction
University of Cincinnati – Bachelor’s, Chemical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude
David Sprinkle
David Sprinkle is the research director for Packaged Facts, which publishes syndicated research on U.S. consumer markets including the food and pet food industries. He manages Packaged Facts’ consumer survey and webinar programs, contributes a monthly consumer insights column to Petfood Industry, and provides articles or interviews to pet industry media such as PETS International, PFI (Pet Food Institute) Monitor, and SupplySide Animal Nutrition Insights. He regularly gives conference presentations at Global Pet Expo and Petfood Forum/Innovation Workshop in the U.S., as well as at industry events such as American Veterinary Medical Association Economic Summit, China International Pet Show, National Pet Industry Trade Show (Canada), Natural Products Expo, PIJAC Pet Industry Leadership Conference, Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) Trade Show, VetHealth Global, and VMX (North American Veterinary Community). He has an MBA from Tulane University in New Orleans, where he has taught business communications.
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts’ annual U.S. Pet Market Outlook report is a leading information source on the U.S. pet industry.
Daniel Rotman
Daniel Rotman, a native of Los Angeles, is a Founder & CEO of three venture-backed companies. He was named a Harvard University Gleitsman Fellow in the Center for Public Leadership and a Traub-Dicker Fellow in Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights. A unique, diverse and accomplished background, Daniel served as Chair of the LAHSC Board of Directors, worked for the U.S. Congressional Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, founded a grassroots fundraising organization and served as a Chief Development Officer working side-by-side with the nation's top philanthropists and investors. In his career as an entrepreneur and leader, Daniel has managed over $60 Million in revenue.
His latest and greatest success, PrettyLitter is an innovative pet-wellness company with investors that include Tim Draper of DFJ, Brian Lee the co-Founder and former CEO of the Honest Company, and Sam Yagan the Founder OKCupid and former CEO of Match.com.
Daniel earned a dual undergraduate degree in Political Science and Legal Studies from U.C. Berkeley, and received his Master in Public Administration From Harvard's JFK School of Government.
Renaldo Webb
Renaldo Webb is Founder and Chief Product Officer at PetPlate. Inspired by his dog Winston, Renaldo founded PetPlate after deciding that he did not want to feed his dog anything less than real food. After making hundreds of batches of home-cooked dog food for Winston and his pup pals, Renaldo decided to launch a pet food brand that he could proudly call his own.
Prior to PetPlate, Renaldo worked at LCatterton and McKinsey & Company as a lean manufacturing consultant, where he led operational turnarounds for public and private companies. He launched PetPlate as a nationwide subscription service in early 2017, following an appearance on the hit TV show Shark Tank.
Renaldo is a graduate of MIT with a degree in Physics. A New Orleans native, he currently lives in Brooklyn with his fiancee, Suzanne, and their dog Winston.
Kevin Li
Jamie Migdal
Jamie Migdal, CPDT-KA, has been working with dogs and their people, and innovating within the pet industry, for nearly 25 years. Having successfully built three national pet service companies, Jamie is an expert across all aspects of the pet industry, including education, technology, business development, sales, marketing, and management. Her fourth and current company, FetchFind, sells staff training and other business solutions to pet care service and pet-friendly companies around the globe.
In 2018, Jamie joined the PetSmart Independent Review Board as an industry expert, and the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute - DePaul University as a member of their Board of Advisors. She also received the Pet Age Women of Influence award, participated in the VentureSCALE accelerator program, and was selected as a finalist for Pet Industry Woman of the Year. In 2016-2017, Jamie completed the prestigious Prosper Women Entrepreneurs and WiSTEM-1871 Chicago accelerator programs, and received the Pet Age ICON and Women Tech Founders Midwest Women in Tech awards. FetchFind was selected as one of the top five most innovative pet care companies via the Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize, completed a successful crowdfunding campaign on Republic, and increased their market share with the acquisition of PawedIn.
Jamie is a sought-after industry expert and public speaker and presents on a variety of business and pet care service topics at conferences throughout the year. She loves her job.
MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS
Make the most valuable connections possible with your bespoke meeting scheduler.
With free access to the MEETING MOJO platform, you can create a bespoke meeting schedule for the summit, ensuring you connect with the industry stakeholders that are most important in building your business.
MEETING MOJO gives you access to the entire attendee list, allowing you to message and invite people to connect during the formal meeting sessions run throughout the day. You will also have additional time during our informal networking sessions.
12 private meetings are available for each guest.
Best In Show
12 pet brands, hand-picked by the prestigious Selection Committee, introduce themselves and their products/services on the main stage, in a quick-fire round of presentations.
Submissions will be accepted from both Mass and Prestige brands in Food, Treats, Supplements, Accessories and Hard Products, Insurance, Retail, Services and Technology. They should be early to mid-stage brands that are actively seeking financial investment, acquisition, distribution, and/or marketing.
As an additional prize, provided by our partners at the World Pet Association, all 12 brands will go on to have an exclusive space at the Product Showcase at SuperZoo 2019, Las Vegas or America's Family Pet Expo 2019, Orange County, California - an exciting opportunity to present your brand to retailers and consumers.
The more detailed the application form, the more information the selection committee can use to make their decision. However, if you do not wish to fill in a question, please feel free to leave it blank.
Submissions are now closed for the 2018 Best in Show Spotlight.
Selection Committee
Bob Vetere
Jacinthe Moreau
Dylan Boyd
Mark Warren
David Fiorentino
Josh McDowell
Carol Frank
Jay DeLong
Founding Partner
Threadstone
Website: http://www.threadstonelp.com/
Threadstone Advisors is a leading independent advisory and investment firm specializing in the beauty and personal care, apparel, specialty retail and direct-to-consumer sectors. Our philosophy behind the creation of Threadstone Advisors is the belief that the comprehensive knowledge and a values-oriented culture of the senior partners are at the core of our success. We are committed to helping our clients benefit from more than 100 years of combined experience. Having assisted clients ranging from start-ups to global brands through different economic cycles, our perspective is broad. Our industry knowledge, thorough preparation and hard work, allows Threadstone to generate ideas to help companies achieve their strategic and financial goals and objectives.
Threadstone helps entrepreneurs and founders of young, exciting businesses to achieve intermediate financing goals. Our unique perspectives in the beauty sector allow us to better understand the nuances of the businesses we represent. Threadstone approaches each engagement in the same mindset as venture capital – we understand that businesses are looking for more than just money. Through a unique partnership approach, Threadstone develops a deep understanding for the strengths and opportunities of our clients and tailors a go-to-market approach that delivers both the financial and strategic resources that our clients need.
Senior Event Partner
Main Post Partners
Website: http://www.mainpostpartners.com/
With 75+ years of investing experience and deep industry knowledge, we help companies realize their full potential
Cascadia Capital
Website: http://www.cascadiacapital.com
Cascadia Capital is an independent investment bank providing middle-market entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses with merger and acquisition advice, capital raising and strategic advisory services. For nearly two decades, the firm has strived to deliver the best outcomes for its clients by leveraging its extensive transaction experience, deep domain expertise and commitment to building long-term relationships. Cascadia is a pure advisory firm and is not conflicted by trading, lending, research or cross-selling business.
Media Partner
Pets+ Magazine
Website: http://petsplusmag.com
PETS+ is a B2B publication for owners of U.S.-based independent consumer-facing pet businesses, such as pet stores, kennels, groomers and pet sitters. These are often family-owned, Main Street businesses that face competition from chains and the Internet. PETS+ provides readers the tools, tips, techniques and actionable advice to strengthen their businesses. In treating subject matter not as a typical trade magazine might, but as a general-interest magazine whose readers’ interest happens to be pet retail, PETS+ helps and engages its readers to stand up to the competition and thrive in their markets.
Association Partners
Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize
Website: http://petcareinnovationprize.com
The Pet Care Innovation Prize supports innovative early stage pet care companies with non-dilutive cash, business support, and access to a large ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners.
American Pet Professionals
Website: https://www.americanpetprofessionals.com/
American Pet Professionals, (APP), is a multiple award winning National Business Networking, Educational and Multimedia Organization for the Pet Industry. Educating, Uniting, Referring, Connecting and Helping all Pet Professionals since 2009!
The organization offers in-person networking events nationwide with expert speakers offering their expertise on many different topics to help individuals and businesses grow, work together and unite the pet industry. Hosting over 100 in-person networking and educational events for pet professionals since it’s inception. In addition to in-person networking events, American Pet Professionals also hosts online courses, webinars for it’s members; Facebook LIVE video series highlighting APP member pet professionals; sends out a weekly Pet Events Newsletter to 11,500+ pet lovers that covers events and works with many rescue groups throughout the region.
Founder and President of American Pet Professionals, Nancy E. Hassel, was named 2018 Women of Influence in the Pet Industry, referred to as an ‘industry visionary,’ she also travels across the country attending and speaking at pet business conferences and works with many of the organizers of such conferences to bring more expertise, knowledge, ideas and inspiration to its members. The membership-based organization started in February 2009, for more information go to www.AmericanPetProfessionals.com. Featured regularly in Pet Age Magazine, Pet Product News International Magazine, Pet Business Magazine, Pets+ Magazine, Dogster Magazine, Modern Dog Magazine and numerous other magazines, newspapers, blogs and TV stations throughout the country.
Connect socially: @AmericanPetPros on Twitter and Instagram
Women In The Pet Industry Network
Website: http://www.womeninthepetindustry.com
Headquartered near Portland, OR., WIPIN serves leaders who are making a difference in the pet space. WIPIN members come from all categories within the pet industry, from groomers and veterinarians to pet sitters and pet boutique owners.
Women in the Pet Industry Network is committed to igniting leaders who ignite others which in turn makes a positive impact on all pets and their people.
Pets & Money Summit is a proud sponsor of the Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award, presented by WIPIN.
For more information, please visit contact 503-970-5774 or [email protected]
SDR Ventures
Website: http://www.sdrventures.com
SDR Ventures offers M&A transaction advisory and private capital formation services to owners and operators of privately held companies across North America. With a foundation built on partnership and trust, SDR Ventures provides the exceptional experience that business owners deserve.
For the past decade, SDR Ventures has been a valuable resource and advisor for pet industry business owners. SDR’s experience has placed it at the leading edge of the market, giving you a distinct advantage when the time comes to buy, sell or seek investments to grow your pet-related business. SDR’s Pet Team is led by the firm’s vice president, Jodi Burrows, who will be available for private meetings at the Pets & Money Summit.
Learn more at sdrventures.com.
World Pet Association
Website: http://worldpetassociation.org
Founded in 1950, World Pet Association (WPA) brings thought leadership, innovative thinking and best practices to the pet industry. The association’s goal is to foster the well-being of pets and their families, while ensuring the health and sustainability of the pet industry as a whole. WPA coordinates industry-defining trade events and provides thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues that support the pet retail community and make it easier for pet retailers to do business. WPA is the host of America’s Family Pet Expo, held annually in Costa Mesa, CA, Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference, held in Atlanta, Aquatic Experience, held in Secaucus, NJ, and SuperZoo, held in Las Vegas. For more information: worldpetassociation.org
American Pet Products Association
Website: https://www.americanpetproducts.org/
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) celebrates 60 years of promoting responsible pet care and advancing the pet products industry. Founded in 1958, APPA is the leading trade association in the pet industry made up of more than 1,300 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers. Our membership consists of a diverse group representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises worldwide. APPA provides a wealth of services and programs designed to help its members prosper. For information on all of the programs APPA offers its members, click here.
Global Pet Expo is the premier industry event presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Featuring more than 1,100 exhibitors and over 3,000 new product launches, Global Pet Expo boasts over 7,000 of the most qualified pet product buyers from nearly 80 countries. Global Pet Expo 2019 will take place March 20-22 in Orlando, Florida. As the largest pet products trade show in the United States, Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, and other qualified professionals. For more information, visit globalpetexpo.org.
Pet Sustainability Coalition
Website: https://petsustainability.org/
Strengthen the health of your business through profitable social and environmental practices. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a rapidly growing community of impact driven pet companies that are realizing financial return through increased innovation, greater consumer loyalty, reduced supply chain risk, attraction and retention of top talent, and decreased costs through efficiency improvements.
Become a Sponsor
Kisaco Research provides the much needed platform on which industry executives can network, connect and learn from each other as well as meet potential industry partners.
Far from the typical ‘meet-and-greet’ exhibition experience, you – as a sponsor or exhibitor – will be positioned as a partner of the event with a focus on the benefits of your product and brand, rather than just a name on an exhibition list.
With our extensive marketing experience and strategy, your partnership with Kisaco Research will grant you a sponsorship package that is an extension and enhancement of your current marketing and branding efforts. We value your ROI and will work with you directly on your specific goals and targets – that’s why we take special care in finding the most relevant end-users to attend, so that your financial and resource investment is smartly allocated.
Find out more by calling us at +44 (0)20 3696 2920 or email us at partner@kisacoresearch.com.
The Agenda
What you can expect at the Inaugural Pets & Money Summit
- 150+ leaders from pet brands, supporting companies, strategic buyers and financial buyers
- Opportunities to connect with some of the pet industry's most influential executives
- A chance to particpate in the Best In Show pet brand spotlight
Watch Highlights From Beauty & Money Summit - LA 2018
Watch Highlights From Animal Health Investment Europe 2018
Download Agenda
Venue
Hyatt Regency Austin
Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704, USA
We have arranged a discount bedroom rate for Pets & Money Summit attendees at the Hyatt Regency Austin hotel .
Accommodation can be booked for USD209.00 (+ tax, per room per night for 1 person).
You can book your room at the special rate online at the link below.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/AUSRA/G-LKRE
You can also make, modify and cancel your booking through Hotel's Reservation Department by calling (512) 477-1234or 800-233-1234 and quoting Kisaco Research.
The reservation cut off date for all room reservations is November 15, 2018. After this date, any room reservations will be made on a case by case basis. Room rate and availability is not guaranteed.
Conference Packages
Sending Your Team? Group Discounts Available!
Applicable for Primary Market, Service Provider and Industry Rates Only. Not available for Academic or ‘Start-Up’ rates
Book a Team of 3+ - Save an Additional 10% Off
Book a Team of 5+ - Save an Additional 15% Off
If you would like to register a team of 3 or more, please email [email protected] for your discount coupon code before registering. PLEASE NOTE: Discounts cannot be combined with Early Bird Pricing or any other discount or offer. If you have any questions about your registration, please call us on +44 (0)20 3696 2920
About Kisaco Research
Kisaco Research produces, designs and hosts B2B industry conferences, exhibitions and communities – focused on a specialized selection of topic areas.
Meet industry peers that will help build a career-changing network for life.
Learn from the mistakes of your peers as much as their successes—ambitious industry stalwarts who are happy to share not just what has made them successful so far but also their plans for future proofing their companies.
Note down the inspired insight that will form the foundation for future strategies and roadmaps, both at our events and through our online communities.
Invest both in your company growth and your own personal development by signing up to one of our events and get started.