Part of our news archive — a retrospective record of NSG and AniVatio milestones, each dated to the day it was announced. AniVatio is NSG's consumer companion-animal brand, with all nutrition technology developed in-house by the group.
Five weeks after the three-nomination shortlist, the result came in. At the PetQuip Awards ceremony on 29 September 2025, AniVatio took silver in the Best Newcomer category — announced by Lisa Hilton the following morning, 30 September, as the brand's first industry award.
The silver certificate: Most Promising New Starter Business, PetQuip Awards 2025, sponsored by Interzoo
A category that meant something
Best Newcomer is judged among new starter businesses — overwhelmingly small companies navigating the same first-years challenges. Lisa's announcement dwelt less on the metal than on the room: a pet industry, she wrote, "made up of incredible and supportive people that help each other as we navigate the challenges for start ups", with congratulations to the winners and fellow finalists.
For the group, the award was external confirmation of a deliberate bet: that a brand built on formulation science, UK GMP manufacturing and patented delivery technology — rather than marketing spend — could stand out in a crowded consumer category within two years of launch.
The awards season that followed
The silver opened a run of recognition for the young brand: six weeks later AniVatio was named a Pet Industry Federation Awards finalist in the Health & Hygiene category for ProJoint Oral Gel, and the certificate's sponsor — Interzoo — foreshadowed the trade fair where the brand would debut its cat portfolio the following spring.
Frequently asked questions
What did AniVatio win at the PetQuip Awards 2025?
Silver in the Best Newcomer (Most Promising New Starter Business) category, at the ceremony held on 29 September 2025 and announced by the brand on 30 September.
What are the PetQuip Awards?
Annual international trade awards for the UK pet industry, run by PetQuip, the trade association for pet product suppliers and exporters, judged across product, business and export categories.
Why does a newcomer award matter to NSG?
AniVatio is the group's proof case — where NSG's in-house formulation, delivery technology and manufacturing meet real consumers. Independent industry recognition for the brand is recognition for the platform underneath it, the same platform our partners build on.