London-based vegan pet food maker Omni has successfully closed an £11 million (approximately $14.5 million) Series A funding round, spearheaded by IW Capital and Redrice Ventures, with significant contributions from RootBridge Capital, Digitalis Ventures, Lever VC, and other strategic investors. This substantial capital infusion marks a pivotal moment for the company, enabling it to accelerate its expansion across the United Kingdom, venture into the competitive U.S. market, and advance the development of its groundbreaking Ozempic-style weight-loss supplement for dogs, previously announced as LeanPaws. The round also saw a notable increase in investment from prominent entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, who, alongside Steven Bartlett, initially backed Omni on the popular television program Dragons’ Den in 2025.
The company’s impressive growth trajectory has been significantly amplified following its successful appearance on Dragons’ Den. Since securing a £75,000 investment on the show, Omni has experienced an unprecedented surge in sales, reporting a 130% increase and acquiring over 20,000 new customers in the three months that followed. This success is a testament to the burgeoning demand for sustainable and health-conscious pet food options.
A Rapid Ascent: Omni’s Journey from Dragons’ Den to Series A
Founded in 2020 by Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar, Omni has rapidly established itself as a leader in the plant-based pet nutrition sector. The company offers a comprehensive range of vet-formulated vegan foods and supplements for dogs, addressing a wide spectrum of dietary needs and health concerns. Its product portfolio includes popular items such as No-Beef Bites, No-Chick Chunks Pot Pie, Pumpkin and Lentil Hot-Pot, a variety of dry foods suitable for all life stages, and specialized Training Treats designed to support both physical and mental well-being. Beyond meals, Omni also provides dental sticks, a diverse array of supplements targeting issues like skin health, breath freshness, and gut health, alongside shampoos and calming diffusers. The brand has particularly resonated with pet owners seeking solutions for dogs with sensitivities, allergies, anxiety, and digestive problems.
The recent Series A funding round follows a period of exceptional growth for Omni, mirroring a broader trend of increasing sales within the low-carbon pet food market across Europe. Shiv Sivakumar, co-founder of Omni, highlighted the company’s phenomenal expansion in a LinkedIn post, stating that over the past 12 months, Omni has achieved a tenfold increase in revenue, positively impacted the health of over 300,000 dogs, broadened its product offerings, initiated clinical research to validate health outcomes, and significantly expanded its team.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, which first reported the news, Sivakumar elaborated on the company’s financial milestones, noting, "We’re at a pivotal stage in the business. We’ve grown from £1M in annualised sales to close to £13M." This substantial revenue growth underscores the market’s receptiveness to Omni’s innovative approach to pet nutrition.
Deborah Meaden, a returning investor, expressed her confidence in the company’s future, stating, "That progress is exactly why I chose to double down and reinvest." The Series A valuation is reportedly around £30 million (approximately $39.7 million), reflecting investor confidence in Omni’s market position and future potential.
Guy Sandelowsky, co-founder, shared his insights on the fundraising process, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships. "The biggest lesson from the process is that fundraising isn’t about finding investors. It’s about finding the right investors," he remarked in a LinkedIn post. "Over the years, I’ve heard countless founders say that, and if I’m being fully honest, I never fully appreciated it until now. The right partners can accelerate your mission. The wrong partners can distract from it. That’s why this milestone feels so meaningful. Not because of the number itself, but because of who is joining us for the next chapter."
Pioneering Pet Wellness: The Launch of LeanPaws
A significant portion of the newly acquired capital will be dedicated to the research, development, and launch of LeanPaws, Omni’s innovative weight-loss supplement for dogs. This product draws inspiration from the GLP-1 agonist class of drugs, such as Ozempic, which have gained widespread attention for their efficacy in human weight management. LeanPaws is formulated with specialized fibers and resistant starches that mimic GLP-1 effects, coupled with prebiotics and probiotics to optimize fat metabolism and promote satiety. Omni has previously indicated a 2026 launch for LeanPaws.
The urgency for such a product is underscored by alarming statistics regarding canine obesity. According to a report from Dogs Today Magazine in April 2025, approximately 46% of dogs in the UK are overweight. This prevalence significantly elevates their risk of developing serious health conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Omni’s commitment to addressing this issue is supported by preliminary research. A placebo-controlled trial conducted by the company indicated that 77% of overweight dogs administered LeanPaws experienced some degree of weight loss with virtually no reported side effects. Furthermore, 63% of participants showed reductions in clinically assessed body fat composition, and a notable 42% exhibited decreased begging behaviors, suggesting an enhanced sense of fullness.
Sustainability at the Core: Environmental Impact of Pet Food
Omni’s focus on vegan pet food aligns with a critical environmental imperative. The production of conventional dog food, which heavily relies on animal-derived ingredients, contributes significantly to the UK’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, estimated at around 1% of the national total. Vegan pet food is emerging as a powerful solution to mitigate the carbon footprint associated with pet ownership. Omni’s novel protein recipes, derived from sustainable sources like yeast, algae, and pulses, generate approximately 73% fewer emissions compared to traditional meat-based dog food. The company’s long-standing customer base has collectively helped avert over 8.5 million kilograms of CO2 equivalent emissions.
Market Landscape and Future Outlook
Omni’s successful funding round occurs amidst a vibrant and rapidly evolving landscape for sustainable and innovative pet food solutions. The market is witnessing significant investment in alternative protein sources, including cultivated (lab-grown) meat and microbial proteins.
In a related development, fellow UK firm Meatly secured £10.4 million (approximately $13.7 million) recently to establish Europe’s largest cultivated meat facility. This follows their pioneering launch of the world’s first cultivated protein product for pets in London last year.
The trend extends globally, with companies like Friends & Family Pet Food launching eight cultivated meat products in Singapore. BeneMeat has partnered with Forza10 to introduce dog food in Europe that blends its cultured hamster meat with plant-based ingredients. Enifer and Rovio Pet Foods have collaborated to release dog treats utilizing Enifer’s Pekilo mycoprotein ingredient, and MicroHarvest has announced the launch of 15 mycelium-based pet food products.
These concurrent developments highlight a significant shift in the pet food industry, driven by consumer demand for healthier, more sustainable, and ethically produced options. Omni’s substantial Series A funding positions it strongly to capitalize on these trends, expand its market reach, and continue its mission to improve canine health and well-being while minimizing environmental impact. The company’s strategic focus on innovation, particularly with the upcoming LeanPaws supplement, and its commitment to science-backed formulations suggest a promising future in the competitive global pet care market.
