Innovation & Investment Day - December 2 | Kisaco Research

Innovation & Investment Day - December 2

Let the Reverse Pitch...BEGIN!

The Innovation & Investment Pre-Day will gather 40+ investment firms across angel, venture capital and private equity reverse-pitching, outlining what they’re looking for, and their remit to invest, alongside meetings with relevant companies.

Lots of events say they do ‘matchmaking’, but we’re the experts at it! 

MEET THE INVESTORS

Key Sessions

10:20am
Pet 101: Future-Proof Fast

Dr. Paul Dick

Dr. Paul Dick

President

Paul Dick & Associates

Pet 101: Future-Proof Fast

2 Dec 2025
Trends & Industry Overviews Investment Opportunities Scaling Smarter

A fast-paced, insight-rich look at developing pet health and nutrition products and services, and what this means for the innovators and investors shaping the next decade. Drawing on deep product development, business development, and veterinary expertise, this session examines ways of expediting the creation and commercialization of new products and service to thereby accelerate revenue generation and create stronger market presence with greater product/ service differentiation.

Attendees will gain a clear view of how credible advisory and early-stage planning can accelerate go-to-market timelines, strengthen investment readiness, and help avoid the common pitfalls that slow commercialization. Participants will leave with a sharper understanding of the environment they are working in and the opportunities most likely to define commercial success in 2025 and beyond.

Dr. Paul Dick

Dr. Paul Dick

President
Paul Dick & Associates

10:40am
Beyond Scarcity: Solving The Pet Funding Puzzle

Natalie Marks

Moderator: Natalie Marks

Chief Executive Officer

VANE

Dace Graham

Dace Graham

Founder & Managing Partner

1731 MGMT

Gina Del Vecchio

Gina Del Vecchio

General Partner

Chicago Pacific Partners

Rachel Sheppard

Rachel Sheppard

Director of Ventures

Mars Petcare

Beyond Scarcity: Solving The Pet Funding Puzzle

2 Dec 2025
Investment Opportunities Scaling Smarter

A candid look at the pet industries funding gaps: why early-stage capital is scarce, where investors are placing bets, and how founders are getting creative with capital.

From tapping into angel investors and leveraging crowdfunding platforms to forging creative partnerships, this solutions-oriented session offers founders practical advice for navigating todays funding maze.

Moderator

Natalie Marks

Natalie Marks

Chief Executive Officer
VANE

Dace Graham

Dace Graham

Founder & Managing Partner
1731 MGMT

Gina Del Vecchio

Gina Del Vecchio

General Partner
Chicago Pacific Partners

Rachel Sheppard

Rachel Sheppard

Director of Ventures
Mars Petcare

11:10am
Meet the Investors Reverse Pitch Part 2

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs

Partner

Digitalis Ventures

Justin Wong

Justin Wong

Principal

Alliance Consumer Growth

Jeremiah Zinn

Jeremiah Zinn

Partner

Off Leash Capital

Clarissa Barquist

Clarissa Barquist

Investor

Monogram Capital Partners

Christopher Brunert

Christopher Brunert

Head of Corporate Ventures

Agrolimen Ventures

Aaron Avery

Aaron Avery

Operating Executive

Alpine Investors

Perry Leon

Perry Leon

Vice President

TZP Group

Gabriel Baldinucci

Gabriel Baldinucci

Co-Founder & CEO

Pawsitive Holdings

David Haworth, DVM, PhD

David Haworth, DVM, PhD

Venture Partner

Vetted Capital Partners

Anna Skaya

Anna Skaya

Founder/ Partner

BasePaws/Ani.VC

Pria Pant

Pria Pant

Associate

Strand Equity

Meet the Investors Reverse Pitch Part 2

2 Dec 2025
Investment Opportunities Scaling Smarter

We’re flipping the script…. again! After 2024’s sold out success it’s the return of the reverse pitch!

40+ investors, each with a dynamic two-minute pitch detailing their investment criteria, category preferences, stage of interest and what they look for in potential partners.

Following this reverse pitch the meeting scheduler will open to pre-book the afternoons 1-2-1 meetings.

Taking the guess work out of meetings so you can connect smarter and faster. Get ready, get comfortable and let the pitching begin!

VIEW ALL INVESTORS CONFIRMED

Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs

Partner
Digitalis Ventures

Justin Wong

Justin Wong

Principal
Alliance Consumer Growth

Jeremiah Zinn

Jeremiah Zinn

Partner
Off Leash Capital

Clarissa Barquist

Clarissa Barquist

Investor
Monogram Capital Partners

Christopher Brunert

Christopher Brunert

Head of Corporate Ventures
Agrolimen Ventures

Aaron Avery

Aaron Avery

Operating Executive
Alpine Investors

Perry Leon

Perry Leon

Vice President
TZP Group

Gabriel Baldinucci

Gabriel Baldinucci

Co-Founder & CEO
Pawsitive Holdings

David Haworth, DVM, PhD

David Haworth, DVM, PhD

Venture Partner
Vetted Capital Partners

Anna Skaya

Anna Skaya

Founder/ Partner
BasePaws/Ani.VC

Pria Pant

Pria Pant

Associate
Strand Equity

01:30pm
Break-Out Sessions

Scale Smarter

Engage Pet Parents

Unleash Profit Potential

Pitch Perfection: Building Winning Decks

Dr. Paul Dick
Dr. Paul Dick, President, Paul Dick & Associates

Pitch Perfection: Building Winning Decks

2 Dec 2025
Scaling Smarter

A practical session on how to craft a pitch deck that resonates with investors. This roundtable breaks down the core ingredients of a winning deck, including how to frame the problem, sharpen your value proposition, present your science clearly, and position yourself against the competition. Participants will learn how to show market opportunity, highlight meaningful traction, and make the ask with confidence.

The focus is on earning investor trust through strong logic, clean structure, and disciplined storytelling that prepares companies for diligence, partnership, and capital raising.

Dr. Paul Dick

Dr. Paul Dick

President
Paul Dick & Associates

Target Smarter: ICPs, Influencers, and Decision-Managers

Steve Kirton
Steve Kirton, CEO, Circa Healthcare

Target Smarter: ICPs, Influencers, and Decision-Managers

2 Dec 2025
Engaging Pet Parents

Are you marketing to a myth?

Designed to give founders a cheat sheet for defining their true customer and where revenue can truly be generated.

This session decodes emotional drivers, pinpoints effective influencer channels, and helps you leverage in-clinic advocates effectively.

Sharpen your positioning, validate product–market fit, and build traction that converts.

Steve Kirton

Steve Kirton

CEO
Circa Healthcare

Unleash Profit Potential: From Pilot to Partnership: Smart Scaling Strategies for a Winning Exit

Unleash Profit Potential: From Pilot to Partnership: Smart Scaling Strategies for a Winning Exit

2 Dec 2025
Unleashing Profit Potential Investment Opportunities

A successful exit is built into business foundations from day one.

Discover how to optimize growth, strengthen your business fundamentals, and position your company to attract top buyers and maximize returns when it’s time to sell.

02:30pm

Networking

Pre-Scheduled 1-2-1 Meetings

Pre-Scheduled 1-2-1 Meetings

2 Dec 2025
Networking Opportunities

All present on the pre-day will have the ability to book up to six 1-2-1 meetings with investors and/or innovators present following the reverse pitch.

• Pre-Day Meetings are 20 minutes in length

• Guests will use the Swapcard event app to schedule meetings with fellow attendees.

• Access to the app will be provided 2 weeks prior to the event for attendees and 3 weeks ahead for event partners.

1.30-1.50 – Meeting 1

1.55-2.15 – Meeting 2

2.20- 2.40 – Meeting 3

2.45-3.05 – Meeting 4

3.10-3.30 – Meeting 5

3.35-3.55 – Meeting 6

4.00-4.20 – Meeting 7

4.25-4.45 – Meeting 8