When Keiser University’s pitch competition culminated in March 2025, one theme stood out among the finalists: artificial intelligence isn’t just for self-driving cars or chatbots—it’s now coming for your furry best friend’s wellness routine. From real-time health monitors to AI-driven grooming suggestions, student-led startups at the Seahawk Tank Pitch Contest reimagined how tech can care for pets in more intuitive, personalized ways.
This annual contest, modeled after the TV show “Shark Tank”, gives aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their business ideas to a live panel of judges. This year’s spotlight? Pet-centric AI solutions that could shake up an industry worth over $232 billion globally.
🧠 AI Meets Pet Parenthood
One standout finalist was Easy Pet, a monthly subscription-based platform that tailors grooming, feeding, and health care plans using artificial intelligence. Designed to act like a virtual vet assistant, Easy Pet analyzes user-inputted data along with breed-specific guidelines to make real-time recommendations for pet care.
Imagine you’ve got a pug prone to overheating and dry skin—Easy Pet might suggest a hypoallergenic shampoo and send a notification when it’s time for a trim, taking out the guesswork. According to Gingr, AI in pet care isn’t just a passing fad; it’s actively reducing in-person vet visits and making pet parenting more proactive.
An equally compelling idea was Adelo AI, pitched not specifically for pets, but quickly recognized as a potential marketing juggernaut for pet-related businesses. This all-in-one AI marketing assistant uses machine learning to generate copy, build automated campaigns, and even A/B test ads—ideal for small grooming salons or pet toy companies looking to scale without a full-time marketing team.
🐾 Health Tech for Your Four-Legged Friend
The broader tech industry has already begun tapping into pets as the next frontier for AI integration. Companies like AI For Pet are developing smartphone apps that let you scan a photo of your dog or cat to detect early signs of illness—using the same computer vision principles found in airport security or autonomous vehicles. The surprise? Their AI models can detect signs of over 20 potential health risks with over 90% accuracy.
Meanwhile, startups like PetPace are offering smart collars that transmit vitals—heart rate, temperature, mobility metrics—to your smartphone. These tools are increasingly popular among busy pet owners who want peace of mind without running to the vet for every odd bark or limp.
Competitions like Seahawk Tank serve as launchpads for future innovators by giving students hands-on experience turning theory into something tangible. As outlined in Keiser’s graduate catalog, this kind of experiential entrepreneurial education is integrated deeply into the university’s business curriculum and is increasingly seen as a strategic way to bridge academic training with industry application.
⚙️ What It Means for the Tech and Pet Industries
Why does this matter to you, or to the broader tech space? Because these students aren’t just learning—they’re steering. According to a report by Kennel Connection, 85% of pet businesses are now looking at integrating some form of AI into their operations within the next two years. That means smart tech that monitors anxious pet behavior, tailors nutrition plans, or even recognizes individual pet preferences is no longer science fiction—it’s an emerging norm.
Events like the Seahawk Tank are also vital for identifying where AI has room to grow. While tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney garner headlines, it’s the niche applications—like AI for pets—that highlight how adaptable and useful machine learning technologies really are.
The Seahawk Tank not only showcased where the tech industry is heading, but who’s leading the charge: students unafraid to disrupt with bold, practical applications.
🐕 Looking Ahead: Will AI Be Your Pet’s New Best Friend?
From SmartToys that entertain pets while you’re away to tracking devices that understand more than just GPS (mood trackers, anyone?), the integration of AI into pet care appears poised to explode. As competition judge Dr. Alan Tinsley put it bluntly:
“These aren’t just student ideas—they’re future startups waiting for launch capital.”
As AI continues to evolve, expect more innovation not just in how humans interact with technology, but in how technology interacts with our pets. Whether you’re a tech lover or a lifelong animal enthusiast, the next big thing in AI may very well be curled up at your feet.
Learn more about the Seahawk Tank Pitch Contest and see the full list of projects here.
🤖 The Future of Empathy: AI That Feels Like Care
But if AI can now detect your dog’s fever before you do or design a custom diet for your cat, what does that say about the future of intuition, care—and even companionship? It’s a strange paradox: the more advanced our machines become, the more deeply they integrate into the most emotional parts of our lives. Are we simply building smarter tools, or are we training technology to understand empathy in ways we once thought only humans—and maybe animals—could?
As pet tech becomes the newest frontier for artificial intelligence, this shift reveals something bigger at play: a world where AI isn’t replacing human connection, but quietly anchoring itself within it. The Seahawk Tank didn’t just unveil clever gadgets for pet lovers; it showcased a future where technology doesn’t just serve us—it learns to care with us. The real question now is: are we ready for machines that can love our pets almost as much as we do?
