Different Dog lands pawfect recipe for growth

A natural pet food maker is barking up the right tree after securing £1.5 million investment.

Different Dog has received one of the largest loans to date from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, delivered through Frontier Development Capital. 

The funding will complete the fit-out of a new kitchen at the Telford-based firm, allowing it to scale meal production.

Founded in 2017 by Charlie and Alex Thurstan, the 120-staff business delivers recipes to more than 20,000 dogs each day. 

Alex said: “We give our children home-cooked food every day. 

“Good nutrition helps them thrive and grow – and dogs are no different. 

“We set out to change dogs’ lives with real food and our customers tell us every day about the impact our food is having on their dogs’ health and wellbeing. 

“The new kitchen is a big step forward for us, and will help us change the lives of even more dogs.”

Ryan Cartwright, of Frontier Development Capital, added: “Alex and Charlie are passionate about their vision to change dogs’ lives and have built a fantastic business with a strong and committed team. 

“The new premises will give them a larger, more modern facility with capacity for future growth.”

Henry Mounsey and Niamh Moody, of Key Finance in London, provided fundraising advice to Different Dog.

The £400 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, operated by British Business Bank, provides debt finance of £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million to help Midlands-based small and medium-sized businesses start, grow or innovate.

David Tindall, British Business Bank senior investment manager, added: “With a proven successful model, Different Dog is an excellent example of how businesses can benefit from external finance to scale and succeed further.”

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