Leap Venture Academy is designed to support earlier-stage startups in the pet care industry through non-equity funding programs. The Leap Venture Academy includes a one-week fellowship program and pitch competitions. Several companies, who go through Leap Venture Academy have gone on to apply for the Leap Venture Studio program. To date, we have run 10 cohorts and have just opened applications for Cohort 11.

Leap Venture Academy is designed to support earlier-stage startups in the pet care industry through non-equity funding programs. The Leap Venture Academy includes a one-week fellowship program and pitch competitions. Several companies, who go through Leap Venture Academy have gone on to apply for the Leap Venture Studio program. To date, we have run 10 cohorts and have just opened applications for Cohort 11.

Leap Venture Studio cohort companies receive a $200K USD venture capital investment, equity varies and is dependent upon several factors including stage and type of business. As of 2023, Leap offers an impact seat within a cohort as well.

An investment seat receives $200K USD in venture capital funding in exchange for equity, along with full access to the studio’s custom programming, team support, and mentor network. An impact seat is designed for non-profit or mission-driven organizations to participate in the full program experience without taking equity investment. For Cohort 10, myBalto Foundation served as our impact seat.

Leap Venture Studio is focused on supporting and investing in seed-stage startups that have some traction and in-market learnings. So far, there have been 10 Cohorts of the Leap Venture Studio program and the application is open for Cohort 11.

Applications go through review among the Leap Venture Studio team. Top candidates are invited to pitch to the selection committee. Following pitches, final diligence and review are completed and offers are extended to selected companies.

Due to the large volume of interest we receive during open application season, we host live Q&A sessions. If your question is not answered here in our FAQ, you can email us at leapventurestudio@gmail.com

• A clear pitch: Effectively communicate the value, uniqueness, and market demand of your product, even if it’s pre-revenue.
• A strong team: Highlight diverse skills, relevant experience, and a shared vision to execute your plan and overcome challenges.
• Traction: Demonstrate consumer interest with metrics like user engagement, partnerships, or milestones validating your market potential.
• A solid business model: Outline a clear, scalable path to profitability with distinct revenue streams and differentiation from competitors.

• A clear pitch: Effectively communicate the value, uniqueness, and market demand of your product, even if it’s pre-revenue.
• A strong team: Highlight diverse skills, relevant experience, and a shared vision to execute your plan and overcome challenges.
• A measurable impact: How your solution will create meaningful, evidence-based change across the pet care landscape.
• A business model: Outline a clear and scalable path to profitability (or long-term sustainability), with distinct revenue streams and strong differentiation from competitors. This can include a range of structures, from non-profits to for-profit models, as long as they are impact focused.