Sparkle Grooming secures $6M in strategic funding

The dog grooming brand reports that it has received $6 million in strategic growth financing through Companion Fund, a venture capital fund managed by Digitalis Ventures in partnership with Mars Petcare.

According to Sparkle Grooming, the financing will be used to provide greater support to franchise partners and accelerate expansion. The pet care brand plans to use the funding to scale its system, supporting greater growth.

“The significance of this investment goes well beyond the capital,” said Ben Crawford, co-founder and CEO of Sparkle Grooming Co. “Digitalis brings deep experience across pet care and animal health, along with a perspective that is highly relevant to where we believe this industry is going. Their investment is meaningful validation of the model we are building and gives us additional resources to strengthen the business for what comes next.”

Founded in 2022, Sparkle Grooming announced in June that it has surpassed the mark of awarding 600 franchise licenses. This summer, the company also announced several major expansion agreements with entrepreneurs in Dallas, Texas; southeast Florida; and Orange County, California.

Sparkle currently has 10 salons open and said it plans to finish the year with at least 20 locations in operation. Looking to 2027, the brand said it expects to see the opening of 30 more locations.

The focus at Sparkle is to make routine hygiene and grooming a more consistent part of a dog’s overall wellness. Its business model combines recurring memberships, standardized operating systems, proprietary technology, and a hospitality-driven customer experience. The result is a more repeatable business model for franchise owners, Sparkle said.

The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company also claims to be the creator of quick-service pet care.

“What stood out to us about Sparkle was the combination of a differentiated consumer proposition and a team that understands how to build and scale a franchise system,” said Ben Jacobs, partner at Digitalis Ventures. “They have demonstrated strong early adoption while remaining focused on the capabilities required to build a durable business over the long term.”

Digitalis Ventures said it invests in companies addressing complex problems in human and animal health. Through Companion Funds, the firm invests in companies leveraging science, technology and design to improve animal health and supports founders across stages of company development.

Companion Fund was launched by Mars and Digitalis to back companies using science, technology and design to improve the lives of pets, pet owners and veterinarians For information about franchise opportunities with Sparkle Grooming, visit