Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship recently announced the winner of the fourth annual Startup Challenge, sponsored by Eric Aroesty (C’92): My Virtual Veterinarian, founded by Felicity Johnson (WG’20) and advised by John Hurst (WG’20, V’20). The Perlman Grand Prize includes $30,000 plus $15,000 in legal, accounting and strategy services.

A virtual veterinary portal for pet owners, My Virtual Veterinarian makes it possible for pets to receive the care they need, when they need it. Due to the global health crisis surrounding COVID-19, Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship held the competition in a virtual setting on May 1 and 2, following the leadership of the University of Pennsylvania and The Wharton School.

My Virtual Veterinarian connects pet owners with veterinarians for video and chat appointments, providing a unique solution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Johnson founded the company after experiencing time-consuming medical visits when her cat Tiffany was diagnosed with cancer. Through the My Virtual Veterinarian iOS app, pet owners can access their primary veterinarian, or find a different veterinarian who is available for virtual veterinary appointments and schedule a convenient appointment time. This flexibility extends to the veterinarians, who can schedule appointments that fit their schedule, avoid unnecessary office visits and access new customers.