The veterinary service industry in Europe focuses on animal health and welfare, catering to pets, livestock, and exotic animals. Various entities, including veterinary clinics, diagnostic labs, and pharma companies, provide essential services from routine check-ups to advanced surgical care. The sector is evolving, increasingly integrating technology such as telemedicine and AI for diagnostics, enabling enhanced treatment plans. Market growth is driven by rising pet ownership and burgeoning demand for quality pet care products and services. Innovations in animal biotechnology and a shift towards preventive care offer promising opportunities, positioning the industry for resilient future growth.


This list highlights 16 prominent investors in the veterinary service industry, showing a mix of corporate and private equity players. Distributed across Europe, these investors are headquartered in key cities like London, Stockholm, and Paris, with varied sizes ranging from small teams to large firms. Traditionally founded between the late '80s and mid-2010s, many have demonstrated active engagement, completing multiple deals in 2024 to bolster their veterinary portfolios. Noteworthy names include CVS Group and EQT Group, reflecting a growing interest in this specialized market.


Top 16 Veterinary Service Investors in Europe


1. CVS Group plc

  • Website: cvsukltd.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Diss, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn:

CVS Group plc is a corporate investor based in Diss, England, United Kingdom, founded in 1999. As a leading veterinary services provider, CVS Group plc offers a wide range of services including veterinary care, pet insurance, and health programs for small animals, equine, and farm animals. The company operates through a network of veterinary practices across the UK, catering to pet owners and farmers who depend on their expertise for animal health and wellbeing. CVS Group has been actively acquiring veterinary practices to enhance its service offerings and expand its market presence. Notable acquisitions include Your Vets Ltd. for £14 million in 2015, Ashfield Veterinary Group in 2014, and Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group for approximately $11.65 million in 2015. These transactions highlight CVS Group's strategic focus on strengthening its veterinary services portfolio and its commitment to the industry.


2. VetPartners Limited

  • Website: vetpartners.co.uk
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: York, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: vetpartners-limited

VetPartners Limited is a corporate investor based in York, England, founded in 2015. As a veterinary practice group, VetPartners provides a comprehensive range of services for pets, equines, and farm animals throughout the UK. The company is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of animals by delivering high-quality veterinary care and support to pet owners and farmers. VetPartners operates through a network of practices, offering specialized services tailored to the needs of their clients. Notably, VetPartners has been actively expanding its footprint in the veterinary service sector through strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of Goddard in September 2022, Clyde Veterinary Group in May 2019, and Rossdales, the largest equine veterinary practice in Europe, in March 2021. These transactions highlight VetPartners' commitment to enhancing its service offerings and expanding its reach within the veterinary industry.


3. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a leading private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in a variety of investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. In the veterinary services sector, EQT has made significant strides, including a substantial investment in IVC Evidensia, Europe's largest veterinary care provider, and acquiring a majority stake in Evidensia Djursjukvård, the Nordic market leader in veterinary services. Additionally, EQT acquired VetPartners for $1.4 billion in 2023 and has previously invested in Independent Vetcare, the third largest veterinary services provider in the UK. These transactions highlight EQT's strategic focus and commitment to the veterinary services industry, making it a notable investor in this field.


4. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through a range of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. They aim to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by providing coaching and partnerships to help businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several significant transactions within the veterinary service sector, including a Series B investment in Dalma, which raised over $21 million, and multiple funding rounds for Vetbiolix, which raised approximately $4.2 million in a venture round and $2.8 million in a seed round. Additionally, they participated in a Series A funding round for Enalees, which raised over $16 million. These investments highlight Bpifrance's commitment to supporting innovation in veterinary services and related healthtech sectors.


5. Swedencare

  • Website: swedencare.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Malmo, Skåne, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: swedencare

Swedencare is a corporate investor based in Malmo, Skåne, Sweden, specializing in pet health products. Founded in 2000, the company offers a range of dietary supplements aimed at improving the health of pets, including dogs, cats, and horses. Swedencare operates an online store for direct consumer sales. The company has been actively expanding its presence in the veterinary service sector through strategic acquisitions. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Stratford Pharmaceuticals in June 2020, Nutravet in September 2020, and Innovet in March 2022, which is a leading veterinary company in Italy. Most recently, in July 2023, Swedencare acquired Vet Buyers Direct, a company focused on a membership concept for veterinary clinics in the USA. These acquisitions enhance Swedencare's product offerings and sales channels within the veterinary industry, solidifying its role as a key player in the sector.


6. August Equity

  • Website: augustequity.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: augustequity

August Equity is a private equity investment firm based in London, England, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in managing investments in service-oriented businesses across various sectors, including healthcare, education, business services, and technology. August Equity partners with experienced management teams to drive growth and innovation, providing capital and strategic support to enhance their portfolio companies' operations. Notably, August Equity has made significant investments in the veterinary service industry, acquiring companies such as VetPartners in 2015, Independent Vetcare in 2011, Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging in 2018, and Westpoint Veterinary Group in 2014. These acquisitions reflect their strategy to expand in the animal health sector, particularly in response to the growing demand for high-quality veterinary services and diagnostics for pets and livestock.


7. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions within the veterinary service context, including Pawprint, which raised $433,724, HOWND with $134,576, K9 Nation at $241,504, and Aristopet at $182,144. These investments highlight Crowdcube's active role in supporting businesses that cater to the veterinary and pet care industries.


8. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent investment firm founded in 2005, specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC has made significant strides in the veterinary service sector, acquiring a majority stake in Medivet for over £1 billion in 2021, which operates more than 350 branches in the UK. Additionally, their acquisition of Petco in 2016 for $4.6 billion highlights their engagement in the pet care industry, which is closely linked to veterinary services. These transactions underscore CVC's active role in the veterinary and pet care markets, reinforcing their position as a relevant investor in this field.


9. Enterprise Ireland


Enterprise Ireland is a public entity that serves as the Irish government's enterprise development agency, founded in 1998. It supports Irish businesses at all stages of their growth journey by providing funding, advisory services, and market access assistance. The agency focuses on helping companies scale and compete internationally across various industries, including technology and manufacturing. In the context of veterinary services, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in several relevant transactions. For instance, it participated in a seed funding round for Micron AgriTech, which is developing a rapid on-site parasite detection test for animals. Additionally, it invested in EquiTrace, an app designed for horse management, which highlights its commitment to supporting innovations in the animal health sector. Furthermore, Enterprise Ireland has also provided grants to companies like Pet Food Depot and has been involved in funding rounds for Soopa Pets, a pet food company. These transactions illustrate Enterprise Ireland's active role in fostering growth within the veterinary and animal health industries.


10. IK Partners

  • Website: ikpartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: ik-investment-partners

IK Partners is a private equity firm based in London, England, specializing in mid-market investments across Europe. Founded in 1989, the firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to businesses in various sectors, including Business Services, Healthcare, Consumer, and Industrials. Notably, IK Partners has made significant investments in the veterinary service sector, including the acquisition of CEVA Santé Animale, a prominent player in animal health, and CID LINES, which specializes in hygiene and health products for animals. Additionally, their acquisition of Innovad further emphasizes their involvement in the veterinary and animal health markets. By partnering with management teams in these sectors, IK Partners aims to enhance growth and create long-term value for their portfolio companies, demonstrating their commitment to the veterinary service industry.


11. Ardian

  • Website: ardian.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: ardian

Ardian is a prominent investment management firm founded in 1996, specializing in private equity, real assets, and credit solutions. With a global presence and a focus on sustainable finance, Ardian provides tailored investment strategies to institutional investors, family offices, and pension funds. Notably, Ardian has made significant strides in the veterinary service sector, including a recent acquisition of a minority stake in Mon Véto, a leading independent group of veterinary clinics in France, through a €100 million capital increase aimed at accelerating the group's growth. Additionally, Ardian has been involved in financing Ceva Santé Animale, a key player in the animal health industry, showcasing their commitment to veterinary services. These transactions highlight Ardian's strategic interest in the veterinary sector while maintaining a diverse investment portfolio.


12. Seventure Partners

  • Website: seventure.fr
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: seventure-partners

Seventure Partners is a Paris-based venture capital firm founded in 1997, specializing in managing funds for innovative companies primarily in the digital technology and life sciences sectors. They focus on supporting startups and growth-stage companies through strategic funding. Among their notable transactions, Seventure Partners led a Series B funding round for ViroVet, a Belgian biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing veterinary products, raising over 6 million euros. Additionally, they participated in a seed investment for Animab, a company working on monoclonal antibodies aimed at improving the health and performance of livestock, particularly piglets. These investments highlight Seventure's active role in the veterinary service industry, alongside their broader focus on life sciences.


13. Vimian Group

  • Website: vimian.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: vimian-group

Vimian Group is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2021. It is dedicated to improving animal health through innovative diagnostics, treatments, and veterinary services. The company operates globally and serves veterinary professionals and pet owners, addressing unmet medical needs in the animal health sector. Vimian has made significant acquisitions in the veterinary services space, including:1. **Vertical Vet, LLC** - Acquired in April 2022, this company is a leading provider of procurement and support services to veterinary clinics in the US, enhancing Vimian's Veterinary Services segment and adding over 1,100 member clinics.2. **Kahu Vet Group** - Acquired in February 2022, this supplier of veterinary surgical products in New Zealand and Australia strengthens Vimian's offerings in surgical solutions for veterinary practices.3. **Bova Holdings Limited** - Acquired in January 2022, this UK-based specialty pharmaceuticals company focuses on companion animals, further diversifying Vimian's portfolio in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector.4. **Laboratoire de Dermo-Cosmétique Animale** - Acquired in September 2021, this French pet dermatology specialist enhances Vimian's dermatology product offerings.5. **New Generation Devices** - Acquired in August 2022, this company specializes in veterinary orthopedic implants, contributing to Vimian's MedTech segment.These transactions highlight Vimian's strategic focus on expanding its capabilities and market presence in the veterinary services industry.


14. Nestlé

  • Website: nestle.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1866
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: nestle-s-a-

Nestlé S.A. is a multinational food and beverage company based in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1866. With over 10,000 employees, Nestlé offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and pet care items. The company is committed to sustainability and serves both consumers and businesses globally. In the veterinary service context, Nestlé has made notable transactions, including the acquisition of Ralston Purina Company in 2001, which is a major player in the pet food industry. Additionally, Nestlé acquired a majority stake in Wamiz, a French digital media platform for pet owners, in 2018. These investments highlight Nestlé's active role in the pet care market, which is closely linked to veterinary services, as they cater to the health and well-being of pets.


15. Nordic Capital

  • Website: nordiccapital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nordic-capital

Nordic Capital is a private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1989. The firm specializes in investments across various sectors, with a notable focus on healthcare and technology. Nordic Capital partners with management teams to drive growth and operational improvements in its portfolio companies, aiming to create long-term value and sustainability. Among its significant transactions, Nordic Capital acquired AniCura, a leading veterinary care provider, in June 2014, marking a substantial investment in the veterinary services sector. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for United Veterinary Care in January 2021, further emphasizing their commitment to veterinary services. Other transactions, such as the acquisition of SpaMedica and Care Fertility, showcase their broader investment strategy in healthcare, but their direct involvement in veterinary services through AniCura and United Veterinary Care highlights their relevance in this specific industry.


16. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is an investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Notably, Partners Group has made significant investments in the veterinary service sector, including the acquisition of Blue River PetCare in a deal valued at over $440 million in July 2019, and the acquisition of Wedgewood Pharmacy in December 2020, which highlights their engagement at the intersection of pet care and healthcare. Additionally, they were involved in a debt financing deal for Greencross, raising over $1.1 billion in March 2022, further showcasing their active role in the veterinary services market.



Veterinary Service Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
CVS Group plcDiss, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000019991
VetPartners LimitedYork, England, United Kingdom (UK)5001-1000020151
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
SwedencareMalmo, Skåne, Sweden11-5020001
August EquityLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020010
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
IK PartnersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500198914
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621
Seventure PartnersParis, Île-De-France, France11-50199721
Vimian GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500020210
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
Nordic CapitalStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-500198910
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619


Want to find more investors focusing on the veterinary service industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the veterinary serviceindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!