Mars Petcare launches 2026 pet food innovation program

Big Idea Ventures and Mars Petcare launched the 2026 Global Pet Food Innovation Program on May 12, expanding a startup accelerator aimed at sustainable pet-food ingredients and formulations. The third-year program is being run with AAK, Bühler, Givaudan and Ingredion, according to a Mars press release. The companies said they are seeking startups working on low-carbon materials for pet food, with a focus on alternative proteins, fats, oils and other novel ingredients. (mars.com) Mars said the effort is tied to sourcing ingredients that address accessibility, security, sustainability and changing consumer behavior in pet nutrition. (petfoodindustry.com) ### Which companies are running the 2026 program? Mars Petcare and Big Idea Ventures are leading the 2026 program, with ingredient and processing groups AAK, Bühler, Givaudan and Ingredion listed as collaborators. (petfoodindustry.com) Mars described the initiative as part of its Raws4Paws Accelerator, which is searching for next-generation suppliers for pet-food ingredients. New York was the dateline on the May 12 announcement, and Mars said the program is now in its third year. The company said the initiative has become a global platform for identifying and scaling technologies for more sustainable pet nutrition. ### What kinds of startups does Mars want? (mars.com) The 2026 cohort is aimed at startups developing low-carbon materials that can be applied to pet food. Mars and Big Idea Ventures said they are looking specifically at alternative proteins, fats, oils and novel ingredients. Elisabetta Pierangelo, vice president of research and development at Mars Pet Nutrition, said the company is exploring technologies that could reduce the environmental impact of pet food. (mars.com) In the Mars release, she said previous cohorts had surfaced promising solutions and “transformative technological developments.” ### How much support do selected companies get? Selected companies will receive expert guidance, potential commercial partnerships and $15,000, according to PetfoodIndustry’s report on the launch. (mars.com) The same report said participants will also have an opportunity to present their work at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore. Andrew D. Ive, founder and managing general partner of Big Idea Ventures, said the program is designed to connect startups with larger corporations that can help bring new ingredients to market. He said the focus is on accelerating adoption across alternative proteins, fats and novel ingredients. (mars.com) ### Why is Asia getting more attention this year? The 2026 program will place a stronger emphasis on Asia, Mars said in its release. The company said that reflects the region’s growing importance in sustainable food innovation and pet nutrition. PetfoodIndustry reported that the program is open to global applicants but gives preference to scalable solutions based in or focused on the Asia-Pacific region. (petfoodindustry.com) Ive said Asia is playing an increasingly important role in building a system for more sustainable ingredients at scale. ### What does Mars say previous cohorts produced? Mars said the program’s earlier rounds generated insights into emerging technologies, with several participating startups now testing concepts that could shape sustainable pet food. (mars.com) A Mars release in October 2025 said the prior year’s program drew 165 applications from 39 countries, with nearly half from Asia. The 2025 cohort selected three startups: Canada-based ALT-PRO Advantage, Sweden-based Seaqure Labs and India-based Terramatter. Mars said those companies were working on microalgae nutrients, fungi-based circular aquafeed ingredients and fermentation-based functional ingredients, respectively. (petfoodindustry.com) ### Where does this fit inside Mars Petcare? Mars says its petcare business has more than 100,000 associates serving pets in more than 130 countries. The company says sustainability is part of its “Sustainable in a Generation” plan and that it is integrating sustainability into petcare operations and sourcing. Applications for the 2026 Global Pet Food Innovation Program are being accepted through Big Idea Ventures, according to PetfoodIndustry. Selected companies are due to present their solutions at the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore, the trade publication said. (mars.com) (petfoodindustry.com) (mars.com 1) (mars.com 2)