MI:RNA is Advancing AI Into Veterinary Diagnostics
The Leap Venture Studio blog series has returned! In March 2023, six promising early-stage pet care startups embarked on a 12-week journey within the program to expedite their ventures. During this time, the companies worked with experts from Mars Petcare, Michelson Found Animals and R/GA Ventures and received venture capital investment, mentorship, and customized programming tailored to meet their needs.
MI:RNA is a veterinary diagnostic testing company using cutting edge science and artificial intelligence to diagnose disease in the early stages to help vets care for our pets.
Eve Hanks, Founder & CEO
Rob Coultous, Co-founder and CTO
Tell us about your startup
Eve: We are a veterinary diagnostic testing company. We have a revolutionary new platform which combines a novel type of biomarker with AI modelling. The really amazing thing with this newly discovered technique, is the game changing ability to detect early-stage disease. This means we know what we need to tackle and when to keep our pets healthy. We are a team of scientists, vets and entrepreneurs from across the world and our labs are based in Scotland, UK. Eve Hanks is a veterinary surgeon with a PhD in immunology and Rob Coultous has a similar background. This combination of science and clinical skills has allowed the team to lead the way in this new field of disruptive biotech. We work across the pet space but also with horses and farm animals tackling some of the biggest issues in diagnostics right now, providing tangible solutions to vets. We are the first company in the world to commercialize and bring to fruition this ground breaking technology in either the human or veterinary industries.
How has your startup made a difference for pets?
Eve: We diagnose early-stage disease. This means that we can treat disease more effectively and this essentially means more time with your pet. When we are thinking about chronic disease, early diagnosis usually means not just a longer life but a healthier life too.
What are the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a startup founder and how have you overcome them?
Eve: Time and money are always the greatest challenges for any new business but I think, personally, it’s been about learning to manage the emotional and stressful aspects of my startup journey, getting enough sleep where possible and turning off the laptop. We were the first company ever to spin out from Scotland’s Rural College, so it’s been, at times, an uphill task from the start as it’s harder to be a trailblazer than to follow the crowd but we have a great time at work and we are a cohesive and determined team, which I’m grateful for.
What is your biggest take away from the Leap Venture Studio?
Eve: The connections and the Cohort. It’s been great to spend some time with my peers in this manner and great to hear about their journeys too. I find the start-up sector really fascinating, so many different personalities, ideas and passion in pet tech right now. In terms of the studio learning outcomes, I loved the wellness lecture, really enjoyed learning more about the US market and the focus on diagnostics and I have a found so many people I’d like to work with going forward, including a mentor.
What advice would you give to fellow pet care founders who are just starting their journey?
Eve: There really are no two paths that are the same, so make your own decisions. I think there are a lot of people trying to work alongside startup companies, but some are only able to give very general advice and are often taking a lot of resources for doing so. Remember this is your idea to drive forward and so, take into account the pertinent, targeted, tailored advice but you don’t need to incorporate everyone. Build an effective team.
Tell us about your pet(s)!
Eve: I am the proud owner of the most annoying dog in the world called Marie. She is a Border Collie, she is brown and white and I’m pretty sure we are in a toxic relationship 😊 She is my best friend and biggest supporter, but she would really like it most if I just gave up work, stayed home all day, spent all of my time with her, preferably alone. She’s the jealous sort. I adore her but she is a touch intense. She is beyond beautiful and she knows it.
To learn more about MI:RNA Diagnostics, visit their website.
Check out Dr. Cuddles’ pitch at the Leap Venture Studio Cohort 7 Demo Day that was held on 8 June, 2023. If you are interested in connecting with their team, email us at leapventurestudio@gmail.com.