Mella on 'Shark Tank': Cost and how to buy AI-assisted, non-rectal thermometer for pets
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Mella, a Chicago-based pet care health device, features on Season 15 of ABC's hit television show 'Shark Tank'.
The startup will offer the Mella Home, Mella Pro Smart Thermometers, and the Biggie Body Condition Scale to the Sharks in the hopes of expediting product development, extending distribution channels, and improving brand recognition through targeted marketing.
The Mella Home, the world's first accurate, painless underarm thermometer, was created to emphasize the health and comfort of dogs. Mella CEO/co-founder Anya Babbitt, COO/co-founder Ben Seidman, and head of staff Daniella Morgan-Pascualvaca will also feature in the episode.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the ‘Shark Tank’ investors and a national TV audience to our vision for pet care,” said Anya. “With the Sharks’ support, we can expand our product offerings, reach more customers, and continue to transform how we all care for our pets.”
According to Anya, the March 1 episode will include the team presenting the case for revolutionizing pet care technologies to empower pet owners, enhance veterinarian care, and help pets live longer, happier lives.
"These are world-class investors with an eye for disruptive technologies," Ben remarked. "'Shark Tank' is a golden opportunity for us to reach an even wider audience and grow our community of pet lovers."
What is Mella on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
In the world of pet care, Mella's path is a shining example of inventiveness and compassion. Mella, founded in 2019 by Ben and Anya, is primed to make a major impression on 'Shark Tank' this Friday.
Ben and Anya, who have over a decade of expertise in designing revolutionary medical devices, began their business adventure in 2015 by developing a pulse oximeter and an infrared thermometer specifically for newborns. However, a personal event sparked the idea for their latest enterprise, Mella.
Anya's favorite rescue dog, Mella, became ill with a severe kennel cough. The situation was laden with anxiety as mild symptoms appeared, leaving Anya unsure when to seek veterinary care.
The lack of accessible health-tracking tools for dogs exacerbated the concern. If she had a thermometer to check Mella's temperature, they might have been able to prevent the situation from escalating.
Ben and Anya identified a clear market need after considering Mella's reluctance to attend veterinarian appointments and the pain associated with existing temperature-taking methods. Thus, Mella Pet Care was founded, demonstrating its dedication to revolutionizing pet health monitoring.
Mella provides an ecosystem of technology-driven solutions aimed at empowering both pet owners and doctors to protect the health of their furry friends. At the center of their offerings is the Mella Home Thermometer, a game-changing device that precisely takes a pet's temperature beneath the foreleg—a far cry from the dreadful rectal thermometers of the past.
The Mella Home Thermometer, which has machine learning capabilities, gives quick and accurate temperature readings in under 15 seconds. When combined with an easy Android or iOS app, pet owners can effortlessly track and exchange crucial health data with their vets in real time, promoting proactive treatment and prompt interventions.
But Mella's aim goes beyond temperature monitoring. They intend to create a full suite of preventative tools for dogs, including a body fat analyzer and a pulse oximeter, to enable them to live longer, healthier lives.
Who are the founders of 'Shark Tank' Season 15 product Mella?
Anya Babbit
The firm is named after Anya's shih tzu mix, Mella. As an entrepreneur, Anya has founded and exited many firms spanning sectors, and her work has been acknowledged by the United Nations, Techcrunch, and others.
Anya's specialties include strategic alliances, business closure, and team building.
Anya, the co-founder and CEO, graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication: Liberal Arts Concentration in Political Science. From 2004 to 2006, she pursued a Masters of Business and International Economics at the same university.
Anya is the founder and CEO of Splitting Fares, Inc. ("SPLT"), an enterprise ridesharing platform that is transforming the way people travel together. Anya is a marketing and brand strategist who is passionate about providing innovative ideas, real messaging, and demonstrable sustainability outcomes.
Anya, an accomplished entrepreneur, has created and grown three businesses and exited one.
Her professional experience includes over 15 years of work in advertising, corporate communications, marketing, product design, and sales, primarily in Boston and New York City, as well as several years of corporate brand development for multiple brands in both domestic and international markets. As a marketing entrepreneur, Anya has successfully given marketing ideas to prestigious institutions and luxury companies such as Hermes, Cartier, L'Oreal, and others.
Since 2014, she has focused her whole concentration on the developing topic of social and environmental sustainability, creating SPLT. After transitioning from institutional marketing to the travel industry, Anya specialized in special interest travel, serving groups of lone travelers to far-flung places, and educational endeavors.
In line with her marketing and travel firm, she co-founded a real estate business, which she recently sold to her partner after expanding it 20 times in 2.5 years in order to focus only on SPLT. While pursuing advanced studies in Economics at Boston University, she accepted a position at Citizens Energy Corporation (founded by Joseph P. Kennedy II), a non-profit corporation whose commercial subsidiaries fund a variety of social and charitable programs to assist the poor and elderly in the United States and around the world.
In addition to SPLT, Anya is building a foundation through which a percentage of the revenues from her current business initiatives will be used to finance women who want to start their own social impact enterprises.
Ben Seidman
Ben, an entrepreneurship student at Michigan and a startup veteran, enjoys developing and collaborating with his team to address challenges with real-world effects. Mella's second product is named after Ben's pet, Biggie.
Ben is a resourceful person who can open doors and work well in groups. He received his New York Real Estate Certificate from the New York Real Estate Institute in 2012.
He received his Certificate of Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan in 2013. He graduated from the University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Entrepreneurship.
Yale Zhang
Yale Zhang, a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of expertise in developing healthcare hardware monitoring devices, specializes in taking inventions from concept to commercialization. Yale is enthusiastic about improving global healthcare access.
Yale currently has four positions, including Chief Executive Officer at Home Dots, Co-Founder and CTO at Mella Pet Care, and Founder and CEO, of iOX Creator, Safe Heart. Yale Zhang has also previously worked as the Co-Founder and CTO of SPLT (Splitting Fares).
Yale received his Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2006.
What is the cost and how to buy 'Shark Tank' Season 15 product Mella?
Mella, when coupled with its associated app, can retain and even send data to your veterinarian. The device is now undergoing clinical trials at the University of Georgia and Cal Poly Pomona, and peer-reviewed research will be published comparing its accuracy levels to those of a rectal thermometer.
It costs $64.99 and can be purchased directly from the company's website or on Amazon.
On Amazon, people have raved about this product: "Such a good tool! I was going to take my pet to the vet the other day because she was vomiting, but I decided to double-check with this thermometer before going. Turns out she didn't have a fever so I pushed back the visits. Hundreds of dollars saved already!"
Another customer wrote, "This thermometer is a great addition to your pet care toolbelt! After using the product it's totally worth the cost! My pup who is usually skittish was not phased by me taking his temp under his front leg. The app is a nice bonus, it's easy to use and a helpful accessory to confirm if temp ranges are normal for your breed. 5 stars from me on the overall design, versatility, and ease of use!"
One user also noted, "This Mella thermometer is a great product for taking your pet's temperature quickly and without stress if you have any concerns. Taking temperatures repeatedly seemed to be consistent. The setup is simple and it can be charged quickly. I also appreciated the companion mobile app which looks great and is easy-to-use."
A fourth user commented, "I am able to take my pet's temperature without going you-know-where. Very excited to now have a working alternative. Highly recommend this thermometer."
Where is Mella now?
Mella Pet Care has collected funds in one round. Its most recent financing round was a grant (prize money) round on January 27, 2021, for $10,000.
One investor took part in its most recent round, which included Pet Care Innovation. Mella Pet Care has two institutional investors: Pet Care Innovation and R/GA.
Mella's mission is built around a commitment to partnership and collaboration. They continue their mission to revolutionize pet healthcare, relying on Anya's strategic alliance knowledge and Ben's problem-solving abilities.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with recognition from prestigious organizations such as TechCrunch and the United Nations highlighting their influence.
Mella thinks that by working with the Sharks, she will be able to speed product development, extend distribution channels, and spend on marketing initiatives to increase worldwide brand awareness. They most likely desire a Shark's money to launch their other items.
As Mella prepares to seize the spotlight on 'Shark Tank' Season 15, the world excitedly awaits the next chapter in their adventure. With creativity, compassion, and a furry muse named Mella at the helm, Mella Pet Care is prepared to change the landscape of pet health monitoring, one wagging tail at a time.
Who will steal the deal on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
We believe that this business will not receive a deal. The major reason is that there are dozens of pet thermometers, including ear thermometers.
Unless they can explain why their thermometer is different, we believe it will be a difficult struggle.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 16, airs on ABC on Friday, March 1, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Da Vinci Eye, Fila Manila, Funky Mello, and Mella.
For those who miss the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.