KC Animal Health Corridor seeks innovators in companion animal, ag tech and food animal sectors
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – March 3, 2026 – The KC Animal Health Corridor is now accepting Emerging Company applications for the 2026 Animal Health Summit, taking place Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 in downtown Kansas City. The Summit provides a global stage for early-stage companies in companion animal health, ag tech and food animal production to present their technologies and business plans to investors, strategic partners and industry leaders.
To date, companies selected to present — representing pharmaceutical, vaccine, nutrition, diagnostic and technology startups from around the world — have collectively raised nearly $1 billion following their participation, in addition to securing licensing agreements, distribution contracts and acquisition offers.
Application and instructions can be found at onekc.org/kc-animal-health-corridor/events/animal-health-summit/emerging-company-presentations/application.
Emerging company criteria
Companies must:
- Serve the companion animal health, ag tech and/or food animal production industries
- Be seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding or strategic partnerships
- Project $20 million in revenue within five to seven years
Benefits for selected companies
Participants receive:
- Access to industry experts
- Assistance developing a company pitch deck
- Individualized mentoring
- Two practice pitch sessions with real-time industry feedback
- Development of an investor profile
- Promotion to qualified investors
- Media promotion
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on April 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their status by June 19, 2026. Additional details about the KC Animal Health Corridor and the Animal Health Summit are available at www.kcanimalhealth.com.
About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Companies with a business location in the KC Animal Health Corridor account for more than half of the sales generated by the global animal health industry. The Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit www.kcanimalhealth.com.
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Kristi Fender
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