Holding onto a pet’s paw as it undergoes treatment isn’t something pet owners typically experience during veterinary visits. Yet Hello Vet, a London-based veterinary practice, has built its identity around this concept, creating what they call “owner-inclusive” clinics. Recently, Hello Vet raised €17 million to expand this unique model across the UK, and I believe this kind of shift has the potential to set new behavior standards in the pet-care sector.
When analyzing trends in veterinary care, trust and transparency emerge as key drivers. From my perspective as a serial entrepreneur and startup enthusiast, I find Hello Vet’s operational approach to be refreshingly customer-centered. Let me break down what makes this funding round and business model noteworthy, and why it resonates beyond just pet owners.
A Well-Timed Funding Surge
The recently announced Series A funding round adds €17 million to Hello Vet’s existing capital, bringing their total investment to €24 million since their inception in 2022. Spearheaded by the investment firms Addition and Future Positive, this round reflects a growing appetite among investors to fund human-like service models embedded into traditional industries.
Led by founders James Lighton, Alessandro Guazzi, and Dr. Oli Viner, Hello Vet isn't just raising funds, it’s selling a vision of how veterinary care should evolve. This aligns with broader funding within the pet-care ecosystem. For example, companies like Dalma in France and Lupa in the UK have also secured significant rounds this year, pointing toward a broader shift in how both professionals and customers view the industry.
What Stands Out About Hello Vet?
Hello Vet’s clinics allow pet owners into procedure rooms for treatments like anesthesia and recovery. It’s a hands-on approach that reduces stress for both pets and their owners, as studies frequently highlight the calming effects of familiar presences during stressful events. But this isn’t just about feelings; it’s also about trust-building. Transparency in processes fosters brand loyalty, especially in services where the emotional stakes are high.
This model isn’t just a hit with customers, it addresses the occupational challenges faced by veterinary professionals. Burnout is an escalating problem in the veterinary field, with roughly 1 in 3 UK vets considering leaving the profession within the next five years. Hello Vet positions itself as a solution, claiming to run clinics that are as good for the professionals as they are for clients and pets alike.
By the Numbers: European Pet-Care Growth
The pet sector isn’t slowing down. In 2025, over €45 million went into European pet-focused startups, underscoring the sector’s mix of tradition and new-wave entrepreneurship. Investors are largely drawn in by consumer demand, which is shifting toward combined offerings of tech integration and personalized care.
For instance:
- ASTRA Therapeutics raised €8.3 million earlier this year to develop smarter solutions for parasiticides in pets.
- Lupa earned its €17 million investment to integrate AI into veterinary diagnostics.
- Meanwhile, Hello Vet focuses equally on emotional connections and tech benefits, with offerings like real-time WhatsApp consultations that save on the need for follow-ups.
These funding trends signal not only rising investor interest but also an evolution in customer expectations. Whether the addition of AI, free consultations, or wider accessibility, customers are clearly demanding something more than baseline services.
How Hello Vet Plans to Scale
With significant funds secured, Hello Vet has outlined some ambitious expansion plans:
- Clinic Expansion: More clinics are planned to launch throughout the UK within the next two years.
- Tech & AI Investment: Enhancing operational efficiency through reduced administrative loads and extending customer-facing tech tools, such as rapid-response WhatsApp triage services.
- Workforce Growth: Aiming to hire up to 200 new veterinarians and support staff as part of this national rollout.
From what I can see, scaling a model like this requires equal investment in both the customer experience and internal operations. This dual focus might explain Hello Vet's success in drawing strong investor commitments.
Common Scaling Mistakes to Avoid in Service Startups
Any startup attempting a rapid growth model should tread carefully to avoid classic pitfalls. Here are lessons I’ve learned from scaling ventures:
- Underestimating Internal Training Needs: Introducing a new process, like allowing owners into treatment rooms, demands a cultural and procedural shift for teams. Laying the groundwork for staff buy-in is critical.
- Expansion Without Purpose: Focusing too much on geographic growth can dilute what makes a brand stand out. Growth should serve the original mission, not override it.
- Ignoring Feedback Loops: Services that rely on personalized experiences can't afford to overlook customer feedback. Monitoring satisfaction gives startups the agility needed to refine their processes.
Actionable Tips for Entrepreneurs Inspired by Hello Vet
If you’re in the early stages of building a service company, or even considering expanding your startup, take a page out of Hello Vet's book:
- Solve Real Problems: Hello Vet didn’t invent veterinary care; they reimagined its emotional resonance for both vets and families. Start by identifying where an industry lacks emotional depth or personalization.
- Combine Empathy and Data: Emotional connection can win loyalty, but financial data ensures scalability. Hello Vet uses models like WhatsApp triage to deliver extra convenience while cutting costs simultaneously.
- Partner Strategically: Seek out investors who aren’t just a checkbook but aligned supporters of your mission. Addition’s Robbie Horwitz explicitly highlighted their support for Hello Vet’s ethical employee treatment.
What the Future Could Hold for Pet-Care Startups
Owner-inclusive services may very well become the norm rather than the exception in the pet-care sector. The natural evolution involves merging emotional services with technological ones. Consider how AI tools could predict pet health issues based on patterns or how tech-enabled home visits might redefine care for older animals. For founders, observing sectors influenced by human services, like healthcare or therapy, could bring additional creative sparks to this space.
It’s easy to see why Hello Vet’s recent funding round has generated so much industry buzz. They’ve combined an obvious need (more compassionate and transparent pet treatment) with real operational insight into why veterinary professionals are leaving their posts. For any founder watching how service startups evolve, whether focused on humans, animals, or something entirely different, there’s plenty to take away from lessons like these.
FAQ
1. What is Hello Vet, and what makes it unique?
Hello Vet is a veterinary practice based in London that incorporates "owner-inclusive" clinics, allowing pet owners to stay in treatment and recovery rooms with their pets during procedures. Their approach focuses on transparency, reducing stress for pets and owners, and increasing trust. Learn more about Hello Vet
2. How much funding has Hello Vet recently raised?
Hello Vet raised €17 million in its Series A funding round in December 2025. This funding adds to its total investment, which now stands at €24 million. Read about Hello Vet's funding round
3. Who were the leading investors in Hello Vet's Series A funding?
The Series A round was led by investment firms Addition and Future Positive, as well as 15 leading and specialist veterinarians. Discover more about the investors
4. What systemic issues in veterinary care does Hello Vet address?
Hello Vet tackles high burnout rates among veterinary professionals, with approximately 1 in 3 UK vets considering leaving the profession in the next five years. Their clinics aim to support both professionals and clients through innovative and empathetic care practices. Explore Hello Vet’s mission
5. How does Hello Vet integrate technology into its services?
Hello Vet offers digital solutions like free WhatsApp triage services, streamlining communication and saving on unnecessary follow-up visits. They also plan to invest further in AI to reduce administrative burdens.
6. What are Hello Vet’s expansion plans?
Hello Vet plans to launch more clinics across the UK within the next two years, aiming to hire 200 new veterinary professionals to support its growing operations. Learn more about their UK expansion
7. Who are the founders of Hello Vet?
Hello Vet was founded in 2022 by James Lighton, Alessandro Guazzi, and Dr. Oli Viner. Together, they bring expertise from healthcare, entrepreneurship, and veterinary science. Discover Hello Vet’s founders
8. What broader pet-care trends does Hello Vet align with?
Hello Vet aligns with growing trends in personalized and tech-integrated pet care. In 2025, over €45 million was raised by European pet-focused startups like Lupa and Dalma, demonstrating increased demand for customer-centered and AI-driven innovations. See related pet-care funding trends
9. How does Hello Vet improve pet-owner trust during veterinary procedures?
Hello Vet’s model allows pet owners to be physically present during procedures like anesthesia and recovery, which helps them witness the care firsthand and creates a deeper sense of trust.
10. What challenges do veterinary professionals face, and how does Hello Vet help?
Veterinary professionals often encounter high stress and burnout. Hello Vet seeks to alleviate these issues by creating a supportive work environment and maintaining a focus on employee well-being alongside patient care. Read about Hello Vet’s professional support
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.