How AI is revolutionising the pet insurance industry with Paul Hallett, Founder & Executive Chairman, Vet-AI

An argument in the vets was the spark for today’s guest. Listen as Paul Hallett of VET AI discusses what’s important when raising funds, the supportive business eco-system of Leeds, the extra benefits that strategic investors bring and …… bank accounts for pets !

If you're looking for a business and entrepreneurship podcast that will inspire, motivate and educate you, through the personal business journeys and entrepreneurial lessons learnt of Leeds business owners then this is the podcast for you.

INTRODUCING PAUL HALLETT

Paul Hallett is the co-founder of Vet-AI, the Leeds-based vet tech company behind the Joii Pet Care app, which uses AI and telemedicine to make veterinary care more affordable and accessible. Paul launched Vet-AI in 2017 with veterinarians Robert Dawson and Sarah Warren, driven by a desire to solve real problems in the veterinary industry, including burnout and rising costs.

As a tech expert who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo, Paul is passionate about building relationships and improving the lives of pets, vets and owners. Blending entrepreneurial drive with a meaningful mission, he has guided Vet-AI through its growth, scaling the business into one of the UK’s most innovative vet tech ventures.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[00:00:00] Lessons from liquidation and new beginnings

[00:06:00] Insights into fundraising

[00:09:00] The birth of Vet-AI: From idea to execution

[00:12:00] Building the team, initial steps, early growth and challenges

[00:18:00] The Role of AI in veterinary care

[00:21:00] Strategic partnerships and a change in the business model

[00:24:30] Overcoming obstacles and business learnings

[00:27:30] My brilliant business idea

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS & BUSINESS LEARNINGS

• It’s easy to be distracted in business, particularly younger businesses. The businesses that make it are very focused.

• People are critical. Who have you got in and around you.

• Early traction is key when looking for investment.

• Don’t think ‘it will be ok tomorrow’; you have to de-risk by acting now

• Strategic investors usually think longer term that VCs

4 MOMENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

“We were really good at acquiring customers but not very good at keeping them”

“It was one of those serendipitous moments. It got my cogs working”

“Vets commit suicide four times the UK general population”

“Our first employee was a quantum physicist”

VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU

Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/

Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk

Website: www.vet-ai.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vet-ai/

Shout out: https://livve.uk/

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ABOUT YOUR HOST

Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey of launch, growth, scale and exit.

As well as hosting the Leeds Business Podcast, Phil now works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board (think somewhere between Business Coach and Business Mentor). In simple terms, he’s ‘a pair of ears and an extra pair eyes’ for SME Owners helping them to be better at what they do. Phil’s mantra is It doesn’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. He helps Business Owners to be better business owners, by helping with their clarity and focus.

As a Business Sounding Board, he gives SME Owners the time & space to regularly discuss their challenges and opportunities, with no sense of judgement or bias, and in complete confidence. This allows them to explore their options in full, culminating with a list of issues to address/clarify, a clear target in mind, a roadmap to success, and a renewed enthusiasm and confidence for the challenges ahead.

Want to work with Phil to help you? See www.philfraser.co.uk.

This podcast is hosted by Captivate. Get your 30 day free trial at https://bit.ly/Captivate-Offer.

LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST

Leeds, Business in Leeds, Leeds Business, Business in Leeds, Nous of Fraser, Business Sounding Board, Business Coach, Business Mentor, 

Email: [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

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I have a LIMITED TIME offer for you. We all know running a business can feel a bit lonely, right? I know.... I’ve been there. I grew my own business from a kitchen table start-up, all the way to a multi-million-pound exit. Nowadays I help other business owners, like you, sort out their business problems; whether it's clarifying your forward planning, helping you sort your biggest problem, helping you prioritise your workload, de-fogging your thinking or just being there to download on. I can help. One client recently said, “You gave me clarity in just one session” — and that shift helped them hit 25% growth in following three months. So here’s the deal: your first session with me for just £99. But only if you contact me by this Friday. No bullshit. No fluff. Just a proper conversation about your business, solving your problems. So, if you’re ready to think more clearly, email me at [email protected] today. Quote 'podcast' in the email title to claim your £99 session. And if you want to find out more about me check me out at www.philfraser.co.uk.