£200k funding for London pet-tech startup Tailwise

The company behind a digital platform that matches dog buyers with responsibly bred pooches has secured six-figure funding.

‘Pet-tech’ startup Tailwise will use the £200k boost, provided by angel investors and the Jenson SEIS and EIS Fund 2017/18, to develop its product and grow its London-based team.

Tailwise was set up in 2017 to help breeders find the best homes for their litters while giving new dog owners transparency and guidance throughout the search process.

The firm supports Lucy’s Law – legislation banning the sale of puppies by pet shops and all commercial third party dealers.

Sam Worthy, CEO and co-founder of Tailwise, commented: “I grew up around dogs, so a couple of years ago I looked into getting my own.

“The one I saw was very likely from a puppy farm and I realised that the dog buying process was completely outdated and fraught with risks.”

Sam added: “It became clear that there is a stark split between breeders who care and want the very best for their litters and unscrupulous people who exploit the emotive nature of buying a puppy.”

Speaking further, Sam said: “At Tailwise we’re working with great breeders, using tech to radically improve animal welfare and provide transparency for the most important moment in a dog owners life - finding the right dog.”

Tailwise COO and co-founder Dan Baird said: “Having worked in the dog world for a number of years, I’m always surprised by how little people seem to consider if a particular breed matches their lifestyle.

“With the rise of social media and digital influencers, people are choosing dogs based mainly on cuteness and Instagram-appeal and less on lifestyle fit. Lady Gaga’s dog Asia is cute but that doesn’t mean it’s the right dog for you.”

He added: “The team at Tailwise is working hard to champion responsible dog ownership and that starts with us matching the best dog to your lifestyle.”

John Lees, COO at finance firm Jensons Solutions, said of the investment: “Tailwise has a strong and passionate leadership team focused on ensuring the most trusted dog breeders are introduced to responsible buyers.

“With over 9.5 million pet dogs in the UK, our investment is already revenue generating and the Tailwise team has a robust growth plan for the future.”