Meetmaev

Maev operates within the premium, direct-to-consumer pet wellness market, focusing on raw nutrition for dogs. The company was founded in 2018 by Katie Spies, an MIT-trained mechanical engineer, and Christine Busaba. Spies's venture into the pet food industry was catalyzed by her own dog's health issues, which led her to explore nutritional science and ultimately develop her own human-grade dog food. Before launching, she spent a year as a dog walker to understand the needs of pet owners and three years on research and development with veterinary nutritionists to formulate the products.

The company officially launched in March 2020 and operates primarily on a subscription-based e-commerce model, delivering frozen raw meals directly to customers. This model has proven effective, with the company reporting a 95% second-box retention rate, significantly higher than the industry average. Maev has secured a total of $19 million in funding over two rounds, with a notable Series A round of $10 million in September 2022 led by VMG Partners. This capital is being used to expand its product line, invest in veterinarian-backed research, and grow the team.

Maev’s core offerings include flash-frozen raw food, daily supplement bars, and bone broth, all made with USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients. The raw food is designed to be served frozen, which helps to preserve nutrients and can aid in dental hygiene. Products are formulated by a team of PhD veterinary nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards and are targeted to address common health concerns such as digestion, joint support, and anxiety. The product lineup includes beef and chicken recipes for adult dogs and a specific formula for puppies, which was developed in response to customer demand. While positioned as a premium product with a higher price point than many competitors, the business model allows for savings on bulk orders.

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