Background of Cooper Pet Care
Q: Can you share some details about Cooper Pet Care?
A: Absolutely, I’d love to. Cooper Pet Care represents a contemporary approach to pet ownership, tailored specifically for the modern pet parent. My co-founder and I, both millennials, envisioned this because we, along with many others of our generation, perceive our pets in a unique way. They’re not just companions to us; they’re like our children. This shift necessitates a deeper emotional connection and understanding in the realm of pet care.
To address this, we offer tele-vet services, facilitating one-on-one video consultations with licensed veterinarians. This service is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring pet parents can get the help they need with just a few clicks. In addition to this, we provide pet insurance to give pet owners peace of mind, knowing they have support in place for their furry family members. Our entire model is built around the idea of fostering a closer, more connected relationship between pets and their owners, embracing the way our generation views pet parenthood.
The Decision to Join Antler
Q: What inspired you to apply to Antler for your startup journey?
A: Opting for Antler as our starting platform was a strategic decision; they really resonated with our vision right from the initial stages. The community and support system they offer is phenomenal. Throughout the process, they’ve played a crucial role in helping us test our ideas, refine our strategies, and even assisted us significantly in our fundraising efforts. In essence, Antler provided us with a robust community and a supportive environment, making it an ideal choice for embarking on our entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a transformative experience, and their assistance has been invaluable for us at Cooper Pet Care.
Unpacking the Application Process at Antler
Q: Can you give us a brief rundown of how the application process at Antler works?
A: The application process at Antler is fairly direct and user-friendly. Initially, you submit your application online. Following that, you go through a series of interviews with various Antler team members. Throughout these interactions, you get the opportunity to share your story, express who you are as an individual, and discuss any potential ideas you’re eager to explore.
Q: Do you have any tips for others?
A: I’d recommend going into the interview with a clear startup idea in mind; in my case, I actually had two ideas ready to discuss. It’s beneficial to have tested your concept somewhat beforehand, even if it’s just launching a simple landing page and driving traffic to it to gauge interest. However, I think what Antler values the most is your passion and drive, more so than the specific idea itself.
Inside the Antler Accelerator Program
Q: What can participants expect once they are accepted into Antler’s program?
A: Following acceptance into Antler’s program, participants embark on a 12-week journey that is meticulously structured to optimize the startup experience. The initial two weeks serve as an introductory phase, dedicated to building connections within the cohort. It’s a time for founders to meet and get to know each other through various exercises and talks centered around entrepreneurship.
The remaining ten weeks are a blend of collaborative and independent work. Participants form teams, seeking out potential co-founders within the cohort to collaborate with on their startup ideas. This phase is characterized by ideation, testing, and validating whether the startup concept has the potential to take off. It’s a dynamic period of exploration and learning.
During this time, there are regular check-ins with the Antler team and group sessions to track progress, share updates, and discuss challenges. This structure ensures a balance between individual effort, team collaboration, and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and mentors, creating a comprehensive and supportive environment for startup development.
Q: How did you come across your co-founder during the Antler program?
A: Meeting my co-founder was one of the defining moments of my time at Antler. We were both part of the same cohort, and our paths crossed during the program. What really brought us together was our shared passion and love for pets—I have a Boston Terrier named Steven, and he has a Labrador named Max.
We connected over our similar frustrations with the outdated services available in pet care. It was clear that we both saw the need for change and improvement in this area. Our shared experiences and visions for what pet care could be helped us click almost instantly. Before we knew it, we were brainstorming and working together on what would eventually become Cooper Pet Care. It was a natural fit, and our shared enthusiasm for pets and improving their care really propelled our partnership forward.
Q: Did Antler provide access to mentors and training sessions during the program?
A: Yes, Antler offers an extensive support system that includes training sessions, talks, and mentorship. In the initial two weeks, there’s a variety of training sessions and informative talks aimed at equipping us with essential knowledge and skills. Following this, Antler assigns a mentor to each startup; in our case, it was one of the partners at Antler. Our mentor worked closely with us on a weekly basis, offering incredible support throughout the entirety of our journey, from idea testing to fundraising. He played a vital role in guiding us through the various challenges and opportunities we encountered.
Q: Does this relationship with Antler and its community continue post-program?
A: The relationship we’ve built with Antler extends beyond the duration of the program. We continue to work one-on-one with our coach and remain actively connected with the Antler community. This ongoing support and network have been invaluable, providing us with resources, connections, and guidance even after the program has concluded.
Q: Did Antler provide any funding to kickstart your venture?
A: Yes, Antler played a crucial role in our early-stage funding. Upon completing the program, we received a pre-seed investment from Antler, which was instrumental in getting our startup off the ground. The initial funding we received from Antler was 100,000 euros. Following this initial boost, we went on to raise a follow-on round, in which Antler also participated.
The follow-on funding we received was part of a seed round. This additional financial support further propelled our growth and development, helping to solidify our presence in the market.
The Perks of Antler Beyond Funding
Q: Aside from the funding, what were the major advantages of participating in Antler’s program?
A: The benefits we gained from Antler extended far beyond the financial aspect. Firstly, the program provided us with unparalleled access to a vast network of funds and business angels. Antler’s extensive connections in the industry mean they can facilitate warm introductions, significantly aiding our networking efforts.
Secondly, the program offered invaluable coaching on the fundraising process. Raising funds is a complex task that requires a strategic approach, and Antler’s guidance was crucial in navigating this challenge effectively.
Lastly, Antler helped connect us with various experts crucial to our startup’s growth and development. Their support in building these connections ensured that we had access to the best resources and knowledge necessary to propel our venture forward.
Q: Can you recall any particularly inspiring or surprising moments from your time in the Antler program?
A: The entire community at Antler is incredibly inspiring. Being surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals, all of whom are equally dedicated and passionate about their ventures, creates a unique atmosphere of mutual support and inspiration. On a weekly basis, we shared our highs and lows, learning from each other’s experiences and offering encouragement. The community truly drives this reciprocal exchange of inspiration, and Antler does an exceptional job at facilitating and nurturing these connections. So, it was really the sense of community and the shared journey of entrepreneurship that stood out as the most inspiring aspect of the program.
Current Status of Cooper Pet Care and Origin of the Name
Q: What are the main areas of focus for Cooper Pet Care at the moment, and what can we expect in the near future?
A: We’ve been making steady progress and are continually working to enhance our services and reach more pet parents. Currently, our primary focus is on expanding our pet insurance offerings. We’ve been partnering with third-party insurers to provide these services, but we are actively working on developing our own unique pet insurance products. We aim to bring something completely new and different to the market. Additionally, fundraising is a major focus for us. As a startup, securing funding is crucial to sustain our operations and fuel our growth.
Looking ahead, once our new insurance products are launched, we’ll be ramping up our marketing efforts to increase awareness and reach more pet parents. This will also necessitate team growth, as we’ll need additional support in various areas, particularly in marketing, to ensure the success of our new offerings.
It’s a very exciting and busy time for us, with lots of work to do, but we are incredibly enthusiastic about the potential impact of our upcoming products and initiatives.
Q: Have you experimented with any growth channels?
A: Yes, we’ve been actively experimenting with various growth channels to boost our televet services and insurance products. It’s been a learning curve, as some channels have proven to be more effective than others.
Our strongest asset in driving growth has been the community we’ve built around Cooper Pet Care. We’ve seen a lot of success with organic traffic, which stems from our engaged and supportive user base. This community-driven approach has been crucial for our growth, and it’s something we continue to foster and rely upon.
In addition to leveraging our community, we also incorporate other channels into our growth strategy. It’s a balanced mix, allowing us to broaden our reach while ensuring we remain connected and engaged with our core user base.
The journey so far has been quite enlightening, and we are constantly learning and adapting our strategies to ensure the most effective growth for our services and products.
Q: Could you share the current size of your team at Cooper Pet Care and your plans for expansion?
A: Currently, we have a compact and efficient team of five individuals at Cooper Pet Care. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved with such a small team, but we’re also looking forward to expanding.
Our plan is to grow our team significantly once we finalize our current fundraising efforts. We’re aiming to double, if not triple, our team size, with a target of 10 to 15 people. This expansion will allow us to scale our operations, enhance our product offerings, and continue providing exceptional services to our users.
We believe that by growing our team, we’ll be able to tap into new skill sets, increase our productivity, and bring in fresh perspectives that can help drive Cooper Pet Care to new heights.
Advice for Aspiring Antler Applicants
Q: For founders considering applying to Antler, do you have any final words of wisdom or advice to share?
A: Absolutely, my advice is simple: just go for it. I believe what truly distinguishes outstanding entrepreneurs from the rest isn’t necessarily genius or extraordinary talent. In fact, you don’t have to be a genius to be a great entrepreneur.
What you really need is the courage to take risks. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing the uncertainties, and being willing to see where the journey takes you. So, don’t hold back. Take that leap of faith, apply to Antler, and see what incredible opportunities unfold from there.