TLDR: D.R.E.A.M. Pet Food, a startup in the pet nutrition market, was one of four participants in SKU’s pet care accelerator track. The company was founded by Jaime Cooper and Paul Paige, who aimed to provide pet treats that combined the nostalgia of 80s-era hip-hop with high-quality ingredients. In a podcast interview, Buff Greebe, executive director of SKU, and Cooper discuss how SKU’s accelerator program and mentorship has helped D.R.E.A.M. Pet Food and other startups in the industry.
The founders of D.R.E.A.M. Pet Food, Jaime Cooper and Paul Paige, wanted to create a brand that represented their cultural background and love for hip-hop music. They believed there was a gap in the pet nutrition market for products that combined these elements with high-quality ingredients. SKU, an accelerator program, offered them mentorship and exposure to help their business grow.
Cooper and Greebe emphasized the importance of mentorship for startups, and how it can provide guidance, connections, and valuable insights. The accelerator program allows startups to have a structured approach to growth and access to industry experts who can offer guidance based on their experiences. The program culminates in the Showcase Day, where startups can present their progress and receive feedback from potential investors and partners.
D.R.E.A.M. Pet Food plans to make branding improvements based on the mentorship they received from SKU. They also believe that the experience with SKU will fuel their future growth and help them expand their reach in the pet care industry.