Biophilia

What Biophilia does

Biophilia Inc. (株式会社バイオフィリア) is a Tokyo-headquartered direct-to-consumer pet food company founded in August 2017 by Kouta Iwabashi following the loss of his two dogs to illness. The company develops, manufactures, and sells veterinarian-supervised, additive-free fresh pet food under two flagship brands — CoCo Gourmet for dogs (launched June 2019, Japan's first veterinarian-supervised fresh subscription complete-nutrition dog food) and Miao Gourmet for cats (launched April 2022) — both formulated with domestic Japanese ingredients to comprehensive nutrition standards. The underlying technical differentiator is a fresh low-temperature production method that preserves nutritional integrity compared with extruded kibble, supplemented by collaborative research with Hokkaido University demonstrating improved gut immune function from CoCo Gourmet consumption. The product portfolio has expanded to include therapeutic-diet variants (CoCo Gourmet Care), preservative-free domestic cat puree treats (Nyatchi in salmon and skipjack flavors), a fresh low-temperature dry food (CoCo Gourmet Dry Food, launched August 2025), and a sleep-wellness sub-brand (Komorine, launched March 2026).

Biophilia operates a hybrid monetization model. Primary revenue is subscription-based monthly delivery of CoCo Gourmet and Miao Gourmet through the company's owned e-commerce sites (coco-gourmet.com, miao-gourmet.com), supplemented by one-time retail and marketplace purchases through Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and CostCo Online. A substantial second revenue stream comes from retail distribution — physical shelf presence across approximately 2,000 stores cumulatively, including convenience (Natural Lawson, 7-Eleven), mass (CostCo, Aeon/PETEMO, Maxvalu Tokai, Domie, Kyorindo Pharmacy), pet specialty, and pet-friendly tourism locations such as JR East station bentos. The company has raised JPY 560M in Series A (December 2021) plus a ~$2.5M extension in January 2024 and is actively preparing for IPO with an experienced CFO and strengthened audit function.

The customer base targets Japanese pet owners who treat animals as family members and seek premium, human-grade, additive-free nutrition, with secondary segments in animal welfare (the WAN-I-NAYRU donation program with 25+ rescue partners) and overseas expansion (Hong Kong office established, Taiwan operations underway). Cumulative scale includes over 7 million meals sold and 400,000+ member pets. The company reports 59 employees as of April 2026 and pursues differentiation through brand awards (No.1 fresh dog food in three categories), earned media (Forbes Japan, NHK, NTV, Fuji TV), a corporate philosophy centered on the Biophilia hypothesis (innate human affinity for life and nature), and a pet-friendly "Wonderful Working" office culture.

Name

Biophilia

Legal name

株式会社バイオフィリア（Biophilia Inc.）

Website

https://biophilia.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Fresh Pet Food

NAICS

Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111), Animal Food Manufacturing (3111), Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (459910)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh & Refrigerated Pet Food (CRADAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pet Health & Wellness Retail (Supplements, OTC, Flea/Tick) (CRALAHAC), Companion Animal Maintenance & Wellness Nutrition (HLAMAHAB), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH), Functional & Veterinary Diet Pet Food (CRADAFAF)

Keywords

• Fresh pet food
• Veterinarian-supervised dog food
• Pet food subscription
• Additive-free cat food
• Handmade pet nutrition

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based pet food sales: Monthly subscription delivery model for CoCo Gourmet and Miao Gourmet fresh pet food products. Customers receive regular shipments of veterinarian-approved homemade pet food formulated with domestic ingredients.
2. One-time product purchases: Non-subscription purchases of pet food products, treats (Nyatch puree), and seasonal/specialty items through e-commerce and retail channels.
3. Retail distribution: Wholesale product sales to retail partners including Natural Lawson, Aeon Pet, CostCo, pet stores, drug stores, and supermarkets for in-store purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Biophilia develops, produces, and sells fresh, veterinarian-supervised, additive-free pet food made primarily from domestic Japanese ingredients under its flagship CoCo Gourmet (dog) and Miao Gourmet (cat) brands. Products are delivered via a direct-to-consumer monthly subscription model through owned websites (coco-gourmet.com and miao-gourmet.com) and are also distributed through convenience stores, pet-specialty retailers, supermarkets, drug stores, warehouses clubs, and e-commerce marketplaces in Japan and Hong Kong/Taiwan. The portfolio has been extended to include therapeutic diet (CoCo Gourmet Care), low-temperature-produced dry food, additive-free cat puree treats (Nyatchi), and the sleep-wellness-inspired Komorine line.

Product overview

Biophilia is a pet wellbeing company operating a direct-to-consumer fresh pet food business. Its core product portfolio centers on two handmade, veterinarian-supervised fresh food brands: CoCo Gourmet (dogs) and Miao Gourmet (cats), both made with additive-free domestic ingredients and compliant with comprehensive nutritional standards. The company has expanded into therapeutic diets (CoCo Gourmet Care), cat puree treats (Nyatchi), and sleep wellness (Komorine). Products are sold via subscription and through retail partners (convenience stores, pet stores, e-commerce). An animal welfare donation program (WAN-I-NAYRU) channels unsold or returned product to animal rescue organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoCo Gourmet (ココグルメ): Veterinarian-supervised homemade dog food meeting comprehensive nutritional standards. Flagship brand of fresh pet food.
• Miao Gourmet (ミャオグルメ)
• Kokomoogu (ココモグ)
• Wan-I-Nayru (わににゃる)

Products and services

• CoCo Gourmet (ココグルメ) Veterinarian-supervised, handmade fresh dog food made with additive-free domestic Japanese ingredients, compliant with comprehensive nutritional standards (総合栄養食基準); delivered via direct-to-consumer monthly subscription and through physical retail partners. Intended for dog owners seeking a complete daily fresh diet positioned as a 'life dish' (ライフディッシュ) for their pet.
• Miao Gourmet (ミャオグルメ) Veterinarian-supervised, handmade fresh cat food designed for cats to enjoy natural, authentic flavors; positioned as Japan's first fresh-type complete nutrition cat food subscription. Targets cat owners seeking additive-free, domestically sourced nutrition in a recurring delivery model.
• CoCo Gourmet Care (ココグルメ・ケア) Therapeutic-diet variant of CoCo Gourmet formulated for dogs with specific dietary or health needs, marketed and positioned as a food for clinical dietary management. For dog owners whose pets require a veterinarian-formulated special-purpose diet.
• CoCo Gourmet Dry Food (ココグルメ ドライフード) Dry-format CoCo Gourmet dog food produced using a proprietary fresh low-temperature manufacturing method that preserves handmade nutritional quality in a shelf-stable format. For dog owners who prefer dry food convenience but want a veterinarian-supervised, additive-free recipe.
• Nyatchi (にゃっち) additive-free cat puree treats Preservative-free, domestic-Japanese-ingredient cat puree treats available in multiple flavors (skipjack, salmon, and other recipes), retailed through convenience stores (7-Eleven) and other channels. For cat owners who want additive-free treats as a complement to a main diet.
• Komorine (こもりね) Sleep-wellness-inspired pet food product designed for pet owners who want to monitor and care for their pets even when apart, framed around rest and connection between pets and owners. For consumers seeking both nutrition and a wellness/connection benefit.
• Kokomoogu (ココモグ) Sister brand to CoCo Gourmet targeting cat owners, expanding the company's fresh pet food portfolio to a new cat-focused sub-brand beyond Miao Gourmet.

Quantifiable outcome

• 約7万袋のごはんを保護犬猫ちゃんに届けました
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• マックスバリュ東海 / ドミー / 杏林堂药店 (Maxvalu Tokai, Domie, Kyorindo Pharmacy)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 June 2025Retail distribution partnerships in Tokai region (Aichi, Shizuoka, Nagano, Gifu prefectures) expanding CoCo Gourmet availability to supermarkets and drug stores.
• FABRIC 東中野 Residence (ペット共生型マンション)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025Pet-friendly apartment collaboration providing pet food branding and animal welfare support for residents in pet-friendly new housing development.
• JR東日本 (JR East)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 February 2025Pet-friendly tourism partnership including Japan's first dog train bento (ワンちゃん用駅弁), crateless dog train tours (わんだフルTRAIN), and collaborative pet tourism initiatives. Multiple successful campaigns including station bento at Kyoto Railway Museum.
• I'm donut? (私はドーナツ?)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 December 2024Collaborative product development for dog-friendly donuts allowing humans and dogs to enjoy together. Products sold at I'm donut? retail locations.
• 北海道大学 (Hokkaido University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Collaborative research partnership demonstrating improvement in gut immune function through CoCo Gourmet consumption. Research findings provide scientific backing for product efficacy claims.
• 宮城県大崎市 (Miyagi Osaki City)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 March 2022Regional cooperation for product selection in hometown tax donation (ふるさと納税) program, with portion of sales donated to animal welfare groups.
• 宮城県石巻の水産業 (Miyagi Ishinomaki Fisheries)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Sustainable sourcing partnership using locally-caught Pacific cod (マダラ) from Ishinomaki region to support regional fishery recovery after disasters while creating human-grade dog food products.
• 食品工場 (Food Manufacturing Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2021Manufacturing partnership establishing CoCo Gourmet production facility to support business expansion and increased production capacity.
• わににゃるプロジェクト参加団体 (25+ animal welfare organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2021Wan-I-Nyaru animal welfare donation project connecting customers who want to support rescue animals with animal welfare organizations. Partners include general incorporated associations, NPOs, and rescue groups across Japan. Customers can donate unused CoCo Gourmet/Miao Gourmet products, or portions of purchases support donations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Farmer's Dog: US-based direct-to-consumer fresh, veterinarian-formulated dog food subscription company. Direct category and business model peer for CoCo Gourmet, with similar premium positioning and human-grade ingredient sourcing.
• Ollie: US fresh pet food subscription brand offering customized, veterinarian-formulated meals for dogs. Closely comparable to Biophilia on DTC subscription model, fresh-food positioning, and premium price point.
• Butternut Box: UK fresh dog food subscription company delivering veterinarian-formulated, gently cooked meals. Comparable in product format, subscription model, and premium positioning to Biophilia's CoCo Gourmet.
• Lyka: Australia-based fresh dog food subscription brand with veterinarian-formulated meals. Similar DTC subscription model and fresh-food positioning, providing an APAC-relevant comparability point for Biophilia.

Emerging players

• Open Farm: North American premium pet food brand focused on ethically sourced, natural ingredients. Comparable in natural/organic positioning and premium price point to Biophilia's domestic ingredient narrative.

Broad incumbents

• Petio: Established Japanese pet products retailer and brand operator with broad pet food and accessory assortments. A mass-market incumbent competing on shelf presence and convenience.
• Nom Nom (Mars Petcare): US fresh pet food subscription brand acquired by Mars Petcare in 2022. Demonstrates the strategic value placed on fresh pet food by global incumbents and signals competitive direction Biophilia may face.
• Unicharm (Petcare segment): Major Japanese consumer goods conglomerate with significant pet food and pet care operations. A broader incumbent competing across pet food categories that could expand into fresh segments.
• Nippon Pet Food: Leading Japanese pet food manufacturer (Dog Man, Cat Man brands). A domestic incumbent with scale, retail relationships, and R&D resources that could enter or expand in the fresh pet food category.

Regional players

• Aeon Pet (PETEMO): Major Japanese pet retail chain under the Aeon Group, which is both a Biophilia distribution partner and a competitor for shelf space across pet food categories in Japan.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/biophilia_pr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biophiliainc
• Instagraminstagram.com/cocogourmet_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biophilia