Emerging Company Presentations
Calling All Innovators
As part of the Animal Health Summit, the Emerging Company Presentations are a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition showcasing early-stage companies. These companies are driving innovation in animal health, AgTech, and food animal production segments, covering everything from pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nutrition, diagnostics and technology.
Companies present their solutions live to a panel of industry experts, investors, and strategic partners with the goal of securing funding, partnerships, and growth opportunities from strategic partners and investors at the Summit. The presentations also offer Summit attendees a front-row seat to the future of the industry and insights into its most pressing topics.
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for innovative companies that:
Focus
Serve the companion animal health, AgTech, or food animal production sectors
Need
Are seeking $500K–$20M in funding or strategic partnerships
Growth
Have projected revenue of $20M within 5–7 years
Raised by emerging companies presenting at the Animal Health Summit, and many have signed licensing or distribution deals.
How It Works
Company Selection
The Selection Committee brings both entrepreneurial and corporate expertise within the industry and reviews all applications and selects participating emerging companies. The selection process is facilitated by Expedite Animal Health.
Meet The Selection Committee
Sam Al-Murrani, PhD
Managing Director, Babylon BioConsulting LLC
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Crissa Cook
Partner, Hovey Williams LLP
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Tammy Platt, PhD
Manager of Innovation & Strategy, Nestlé Purina North America
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Stacy Pursell
Founder/CEO, The Pursell Group Executive Search/The VET Recruiter
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Chris Ragland
CEO, Animalytix, LLC
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Edward Robb, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Nutrition)
CEO, BioPharmaPotentials LLC (BPP)
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Jeff Santosuosso
Executive Recruiter/Senior Consultant, Brakke Consulting
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Donald Schwartz
Principal, Elders Rede LLC | Animal Health Industry Advisors
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Rich Shuler
President & CEO, Shuler Consulting Services
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Tony Simpson
President, AgTech Advisors, LLC
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Laura Treml, VMD, PhD
VP Commercial Development, Companion Animal Division, Phibro Animal Health Corporation
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William (Bill) Weldon, PhD
Principal, WCW Animal Health Consulting, LLC
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Coaching
Selected emerging companies benefit from a team of experienced industry veterans who offer guidance on pitch decks and an investor profile, provide two feedback-driven practice sessions and help foster key industry connections leading up to the Animal Health Summit.
Meet The Coaches
Sam Al-Murrani, PhD
Managing Director, Babylon BioConsulting LLC
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Linda Block
Founder, Impactology Partners
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Meghan Burns, DVM
President & Founder Connect Veterinary Consulting
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Crissa Cook
Partner, Hovey Williams LLP
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Brandon Day
Managing Partner, Catalyst Ventures Consulting
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Paul Dick, DVM
President, Paul Dick & Associates Ltd.
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Ryann Glenn
Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
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Doug Jones
General Manager Animal Management, North America, Gallagher Animal Management
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Frank Kruse
President, Martin Hill Advisors
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Jenna Mutch
Vice President, Veterinary, Butterfly Network
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Tammy Platt, PhD
Manager of Innovation & Strategy, Nestlé Purina North America
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Karthik Ramachandran, PhD
Senior Advisor – External Innovation, Elanco Animal Health
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Steve Schram
Chief Executive Officer, Schram Consulting
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Steve Sewell
Animal Health Industry Executive
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Fang Shen
Partner, Asia Service Leader, Husch Blackwell LLP
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Tony Simpson
President, AgTech Advisors, LLC
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Jared Spader
Founder, Coulter Spader
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Gene Summerlin
Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
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Simon Walley
CEO, Chemlock Nutrition
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Nancy Zimmerman, DVM
Global Business Development Director, Dechra Pharmaceuticals
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Presentation & Judging
Selected companies will have 10 minutes to pitch their business at the Animal Health Summit to a panel of judges who will have five additional minutes for clarifying questions. The judges bring a mixture of entrepreneurial and established company experience and understand the financial aspects of developing and acquiring technologies to select the top emerging company.
Meet The Judges
Joseph Crotty
Managing Director, Livingstone
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Ricardo Mattos
Executive Director, Global Business Development, Merck Animal Health
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Robert Miller
Senior Director, R&D, Nestlé Purina
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Linda Rhodes, VMD, Ph.D.
Independent Consultant
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Karine Sellam
VP, Global Head of Business Development, Zoetis
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Craig Wallace
Founder & CEO, CatsOnly Veterinary Services
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Do you have the next big idea to advance animal health?
Applications will open early 2026, stay tuned!
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About the Summit
Get all the details about the Animal Health Summit: registration, location, sponsors and awards.
Summit Programming
Plan your Summit experience with the full daily schedule, including key sessions, networking events and business partnering meetings.
Let’s Build the Future of Animal Health — Together
If your company is innovating in animal health, diagnostics or pet food, the KC Animal Health Corridor offers unmatched opportunity and support. Get in touch to see how we can help your business grow.
Kimberly Young
President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.654.3617
young@ThinkKC.com
Emily McVey
Vice President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.522.6168
mcvey@ThinkKC.com
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