GLENDALE, ARIZ. — Pet care startup Bundle x Joy has closed its seed funding round at $1 million led by Leap Venture Studio. a startup accelerator created by Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Mars Petcare.

The woman-founded startup was selected to participate in Leap Venture’s accelerator program as part of its seventh cohort. Leap Venture said its investment in Bundle x Joy furthers its mission to support pet brands committed to innovating the industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome Bundle x Joy to the Leap Venture Studio,” said Rachel Sheppard, director of ventures at Mars Petcare. “Bundle x Joy is combining impact and ease — providing pet parents with high quality nutrition products that also make an impact, by supporting women entrepreneurs with every purchase.”

Bundle x Joy offers purpose-driven, personalized pet nutrition products formulated with superfoods. The brand’s products include complete-and-balanced diets made with real meat, plant-based superfoods and probiotics; treats made with a superfood blend of sweet potatoes, chia seeds, blueberries and cranberries; supplements made with functional ingredients; and more. Its products are formulated in collaboration with pet nutritionists.

“We believe that the pet industry is hungry for the next generation of pet companies, brands and products leading with purpose first,” said Jess Berger, founder and chief executive officer of Bundle x Joy. “As a female-founded business, we are proud to represent the next generation of pet companies that are building a diverse and inclusive community that is representative of real pet people today. We are excited about the opportunities that partnering with Leap Venture Studio will unlock for Bundle x Joy and look forward to the next chapter of growth ahead.”

Per Ms. Berger, Bundle x Joy is now the first Latina-owned US pet brand to raise $1 million in funds.

“As a Latina founder, I am acutely aware of my responsibility of setting a path forward for underrepresented founders in the pet industry,” Ms. Berger said. “I spent 10 years dreaming of owning my own pet company but struggled to identify with any founders that looked like me in the space. Unlike the competition, we are working closely with other pet brands and founders to collaborate, building a community of like-minded pet people and products — all while chasing joy with our pups.”

The pet brand originally started as an online-only business, but after just eight months of its official debut in e-commerce the brand landed significant in-store distribution partnerships with more than 450 retail locations, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market and other specialty retailers.

Additional investors include R/GA Ventures and Cloyes Ventures. Bundle x Joy will use the investment to further expand its distribution, improve its digital capabilities and invest in its personnel team. The startup aims to double its nationwide retail presence by this summer.

“We believe in the mission of Bundle x Joy as a brand, and Jess as its founder,” said Alexandra Cloyes and Joe Cloyes of Cloyes Ventures. “Their purpose to bring top products and impact joy is a purpose we align with. We are excited for the future of the business.”

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