VETiNSTANT: The Vision Behind a Pet Health Revolution
Founded by entrepreneur Vani Aiyer and her partner Vivek Srinivas, VETiNSTANT is a Chennai-based startup bridging the gap between pet parents, veterinarians, and pets through cutting-edge, non-invasive health monitoring devices and a digital platform. Inspired by Aiyer’s personal experiences as a lifelong pet parent and her insights into the challenges pet owners face, VETiNSTANT aims to simplify the diagnostic process, improve accuracy in treatment, and bring peace of mind to pet owners everywhere.
The Birth of an Idea: Addressing Gaps in Pet Healthcare
Aiyer and Srinivas’s journey began with a simple problem: Srinivas’s dog, Bruno, frequently fell ill, particularly during his business trips. Aiyer often found herself on the phone with Srinivas discussing potential solutions. Through these conversations, Aiyer realized that one of the main issues was a lack of comprehensive health data for pets, making it difficult for veterinarians to diagnose conditions accurately.
VETiNSTANT’s mission is to address these challenges by connecting pet owners with veterinarians, creating a streamlined healthcare process that ensures pets receive timely, informed treatment. Founded in 2023, VETiNSTANT initially focuses on dogs and cats but has plans to expand to larger animals like cows in the near future.
A Global Vision: Enhancing Animal Healthcare Digitally
With a strong commitment to improving animal healthcare worldwide, Aiyer and Srinivas developed VETiNSTANT to make health information easily accessible and shareable. Their vision includes digitizing the animal healthcare process—from the moment a pet enters a clinic to the moment it leaves.
“Our goal is to create a seamless, digitized network for animal healthcare, regardless of the pet’s location or species,” Aiyer explains.
Key Offerings by VETiNSTANT: Transforming the Veterinary Experience
VETiNSTANT has developed several products and solutions that cater to the needs of both veterinarians and pet owners, providing a comprehensive and efficient approach to pet healthcare.
1. P.A.W.S. (Pets Administration and Workflow System)
Designed for veterinary clinics, the P.A.W.S. system simplifies clinic operations by automating essential tasks. It includes features for billing, inventory management, and appointment scheduling, helping clinics run efficiently. The system also generates clinical notes in 99 languages, reducing wait times and improving the overall customer experience. This solution empowers vets to focus on what truly matters—pet care—while the administrative tasks are efficiently managed.
2. ExamD: Non-Invasive Health Monitoring Device
ExamD is a handheld device that allows pet owners to monitor their pets’ health without invasive procedures. The device is paired with VETiNSTANT’s tracker app, making it easy for pet parents to keep tabs on their pet’s health metrics like temperature, SpO2 levels, heart and lung functions, and abdominal sounds. Developed after rigorous testing at Pondicherry Veterinary University, ExamD is priced at ₹6,500 and offers a robust monitoring solution for pet parents.
For advanced monitoring, ExamD Pro, designed specifically for veterinarians, offers additional parameters for detecting early signs of heart and lung issues. The device, available for ₹15,000, provides features like murmur detection and grading, COPD detection, asthma insights, and more, enabling veterinarians to provide proactive and accurate care.
The VETiNSTANT App: A Data Hub for Pet Health
The VETiNSTANT app is designed to be a comprehensive health tracker, storing pet data on a secure cloud platform. With this app, pet owners can easily share health data with veterinarians, receive prescriptions, and manage ongoing treatments. Aiyer believes that this technology empowers pet parents by making health information accessible and actionable, helping pets receive the best care possible.
Aiyer’s Journey to Entrepreneurship: From Corporate Leader to Startup Innovator
Before founding VETiNSTANT, Aiyer had a successful career in advertising and corporate communications, primarily working with top brands like Ford and serving as Head of Corporate Communications at Nissan India. She decided to step away from her corporate career in 2022, driven by a desire to make a more meaningful impact in pet healthcare.
Reflecting on her transition to entrepreneurship, Aiyer shares, “The biggest shift is that in a startup, you’re constantly reevaluating your knowledge, building processes from scratch, and learning to be resilient amid the ups and downs.”
She explains that moving from a stable corporate job to a startup has taught her to adapt quickly, take on multiple roles, and approach challenges with a flexible mindset. The path has not been without its hurdles, including financial adjustments and the occasional misperception about her work. “People used to say things like, ‘Oh, something to do with dogs,’ but I’m seeing that perspective shift,” she notes, adding that VETiNSTANT’s incubation at IIT Madras Research Park and recent funding have brought validation to the startup’s vision.
Breaking Barriers: Women in the Startup Ecosystem
As a woman entrepreneur, Aiyer feels fortunate to have not faced significant gender bias within the startup world. She acknowledges the value of her years of experience navigating gender issues in the corporate sector, noting that the startup ecosystem today offers supportive networks for women-led ventures, from investors to mentors.
Aiyer also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, advising others to stay informed and embrace new ideas. “Keep educating yourself—read books, listen to podcasts, stay current on industry news. The knowledge you acquire is your most valuable asset,” she says.
The Road Ahead: Scaling VETiNSTANT’s Reach and Impact
VETiNSTANT’s future looks promising, with plans to expand its product offerings and add more animal species to its platform. Aiyer’s journey from corporate communications to entrepreneurship underscores the resilience and passion needed to succeed in the startup world. Through VETiNSTANT, she aims to transform how pet healthcare is approached, making it more efficient, accessible, and impactful for pet owners, veterinarians, and animals alike.
Conclusion: Redefining Pet Healthcare with VETiNSTANT
With innovative products like ExamD and P.A.W.S., VETiNSTANT is reshaping the landscape of pet healthcare by making health data accessible and actionable. Aiyer’s vision, fueled by personal experience and a dedication to animal welfare, has brought this powerful platform to life, offering pet parents everywhere the tools to ensure their pets’ health and well-being. As VETiNSTANT continues to grow, it is setting a new standard in pet healthcare, creating a brighter future for pets and their families worldwide.
