St. Louis Pet Tech startup, Native Pet, was one of only seven companies worldwide to be selected by divisions of Mars Petcare to receive $200,000 in funding and acceptance in a 12-week accelerator program in Los Angeles, CA, helping to foster growth and innovation in the pet industry.

Founded in 2017 by two St. Louis natives Pat Barron and Dan Schaefer, Native Pet makes 100% organic, limited ingredient pet supplements and treats to help support pets’ health and well being. Discouraged by the declining health of U.S. pets and lack of whole food, clean-label pet food options in the marketplace, Barron and Schaefer created the company to provide pet food and nutrition products that are healing, using clinically proven superfoods with health-promoting properties to enhance pets’ health and wellness.

In only two years, Native Pet has attracted more than 20,000 customers nationwide and achieved over a million dollars in lifetime sales through Amazon and the company’s website. With Mars Petcare’s investment, Native Pet has now achieved its seed-funding round goal and is looking to continue propelling the brand’s growth through new products and expansion into retail.