Two Philly-area pet companies are up for this $25K prize

Eleven global startups in the pet-care space are in the running for a $25,000 cash prize at a Tuesday pitch competition hosted by Petco and Whistle called “Pet Project.”

Besto, an app aimed at helping foster pets find homes, and Trevose, Pa.-based pet hospital Bridge Veterinary Services will be repping the Philly area at the Las Vegas competition.

There will also be a Philly cheerleader in the judges’ table: former Philly Startup Leaders president and newly-minted Petco exec Brock Weatherup. He’ll be sitting beside Whistle Cofounder Ben Jacobs, Banfield Pet Hospital SVP Jeannine Taaffe and Petco CIO John Zavada.

“$25k being awarded = Super excited about our finalists selected for next weeks’s #PetProject2017,” Weatherup posted on his LinkedIn profile.

The Philly presence on the lineup of finalists is, at least in part, a sign that Weatherup is keeping his word and connecting Philly entrepreneurs to the resources found out west. Along with the cash, winners will get feedback from industry experts.

“We are very grateful to the sponsors of Pet Project 2017,” Besto cofounder Luis Gamardo said via email. “We look forward to Weatherup’s and Jacobs’ feedback and insights to navigate traditional hurdles encountered in this space.”