OnlyCat
OnlyCat is a UK-based consumer technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells direct-to-consumer an AI-powered microchip cat flap whose computer-vision system detects and blocks cats bringing prey into the home, complemented by a subscription cloud plan and a global accessory catalogue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2025
- HeadquartersCramlington, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OnlyCat does
OnlyCat (legal entity VirtualV Trading Ltd) is a Northumberland, England-based consumer technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells an AI-powered microchip cat flap with real-time prey detection. Its single core product is an internet-connected cat door combining a night-vision HD camera running proprietary computer-vision AI, licensed SureFlap RFID microchip scanning, and a companion mobile app; when the vision model detects prey (mice, birds, rats, bugs, rival cats) in a cat's mouth, the flap temporarily locks and pushes a video notification to the owner. The company claims 99.4% prey-detection accuracy and reports that fewer than 1% of cats find workarounds.
The product is sold direct-to-consumer at £450 (≈$450/€450) one-time with no mandatory subscription, alongside a £7.99/month subscription SKU that retains a flexible upgrade-to-perpetual path and a refurbished tier. The accessory catalogue (weather hoods, tunnel adaptors, cable extenders, RFID tags, replacement microchips, premium lock guard) generates incremental hardware revenue. Distribution is exclusively via the company's own e-commerce storefront at onlycat.com plus localized /fr/, /nl/, and /de/ sites, with country-specific power adapters shipped to the UK, US, Germany, France, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada on a first-come-first-served basis as production is scaled up.
The company was bootstrapped and crowdfunded at launch, generating over £2 million in cumulative revenue, and in February 2026 secured a £200,000 investment from Dragons' Den judge Steven Bartlett for a 10% equity stake (Series 23, Episode 3). Marketing combines earned media (Daily Mail, i/Independent, RTL Nieuws, nu.nl, Dragons' Den broadcast), content marketing and a knowledge base, email, a VIP Facebook community, and organic app-based social sharing. The headcount is small (11-50 employees), there is no institutional venture capital or private equity backing in the disclosed record, and recognition to date includes the 2025 North East Tech Awards (Dynamo's Dynamites Awards).
OnlyCat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OnlyCat
- Legal name
- VirtualV Trading Ltd
- Website
- https://onlycat.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2025
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OnlyCat is a UK-based consumer technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells direct-to-consumer an AI-powered microchip cat flap whose computer-vision system detects and blocks cats bringing prey into the home, complemented by a subscription cloud plan and a global accessory catalogue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where OnlyCat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cramlington
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
OnlyCat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales (One-Time Purchase): Customers purchase OnlyCat as a one-time upfront payment (£450). The product includes all core features with no further monthly fees required to use the product. Manufacturing cost per unit is £160, providing a gross margin of approximately £290 per unit. The company also offers a refurbished device option at a lower price point.
- Subscription (Cloud Services): Customers can purchase a subscription version at a lower upfront cost (£7.99/month in GBP), with a recurring monthly fee required to operate the device. The subscription includes cloud services, AI model updates, and remote app features. Subscribers can upgrade to the full one-time purchase version for a reduced price (e.g., £299 in the UK), with the upgrade price decreasing by £50/year while the subscription is active.
- Accessories & Spare Parts: The company sells a range of accessories and replacement parts including USB-C cables (£12–£25), USB-C couplers (£4), spacers (£18), long screws (£3), weather hoods, seasonal protection covers, tunnel adaptors, and RFID collar tags.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | One-Time Purchase – full device with all features, no ongoing fees |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Version – lower upfront cost, requires monthly subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Refurbished Device – pre-loved units with same warranty and features |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
OnlyCat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OnlyCat designs, manufactures, and sells an AI-powered microchip cat flap that uses computer vision to detect when a cat is carrying prey (mice, birds, rats, bugs) and temporarily locks the door to prevent entry. The device pairs with a Wi-Fi-connected companion mobile app for remote monitoring, video notifications, curfew controls, and per-cat door policies. Revenue comes primarily from one-time hardware sales (£450) with an optional cloud subscription (£7.99/month) and a portfolio of installation accessories and spare parts.
Product overview
OnlyCat offers a single core product—the AI-powered OnlyCat Microchip Cat Flap with Prey Detection—augmented by a comprehensive ecosystem of mounting, power, and accessory products. The core device is an intelligent cat flap that uses computer vision AI to detect when cats attempt to bring prey (mice, birds, rats, bugs) into homes and temporarily locks to prevent entry. It combines microchip access control with smartphone app connectivity, video notifications, and curfew controls. The accessory portfolio includes weather protection (Weather Hood, Seasonal Protection Cover), mounting solutions (Pet Door Tunnel Adaptor, Spacer, Long Screws, Tunnel Extension), power accessories (5m USB-C Cable, USB Cable Extenders, USB-C Coupler), and identification tools (RFID Collar Tags, FDX-B Microchips, Premium Lock Guard). The product launched via crowdfunding and secured investment on Dragons' Den in February 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OnlyCat Microchip Cat Flap with Prey Detection AI-powered smart cat flap that uses computer vision to detect when a cat is carrying prey (mice, birds, rats, bugs) and temporarily locks the door. Includes dual microchip scanning (entry and exit), Wi-Fi connectivity, companion mobile app, video notifications, per-cat curfew controls, Night Vision HD camera, and an E-Paper status display.
- OnlyCat Weather Hood
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.4% prey detection accuracy
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OnlyCat
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
OnlyCat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature7 records
OnlyCat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SureFlapcoreOnlyCat builds on patented, state-of-the-art microchip reading technology from SureFlap, using their RFID scanning technology for superior read range and reliability. OnlyCat also offers mounting accessories compatible with SureFlap products, including the Glass Mounting Adapter (GMA-300) for installations where existing SureFlap pet doors are present.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OnlyCat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SureFlap: SureFlap is the market-leading microchip cat flap brand whose patented RFID technology OnlyCat licenses. SureFlap offers a full range of microchip and smart pet doors and is the most directly comparable competitor; their next-gen product could plausibly integrate AI prey detection, making them the most credible competitive threat.
- Cat Mate: Cat Mate is a long-established UK-based manufacturer of cat flaps and pet doors, including microchip and timer-controlled models. Direct competitor in the consumer cat flap category, though without AI vision capabilities; their product lineup represents the standard against which OnlyCat is differentiated.
- High Tech Pet Products: High Tech Pet Products designs and sells electronic and microchip pet doors primarily for the US market. Comparable in product category (microchip/smart pet doors) and target customer (pet owners), though historically focused on dogs; represents a relevant competitor in the smart pet door space.
- PetPorte (by PetSafe): PetPorte was a microchip cat flap brand with curfew/selective-entry functionality — overlapping directly with OnlyCat's microchip access control and curfew features. Now part of the PetSafe portfolio; represents the legacy microchip curfew flap segment OnlyCat competes against.
Broad incumbents
- Sure Petcare: Sure Petcare (the parent brand of SureFlap, owned by Pelican Products) sells microchip cat flaps, pet doors, and connected feeders/water fountains across multiple species. It is the incumbent leader in smart pet access and a likely competitor if it integrates computer vision into its existing product lines.
- PetSafe: PetSafe (a Radio Systems Corporation brand) is a major pet products incumbent offering microchip cat flaps, smart pet doors, and a broad pet product portfolio. Comparable to OnlyCat in target customer (cat owners) and product category (microchip pet doors), but operates at much broader scale with significantly more SKUs.
Emerging players
- Whisker (Litter-Robot): Whisker is a connected pet products company known for the Litter-Robot, with a growing line of smart feeders and pet cameras. Comparable in go-to-market (DTC consumer smart pet products), target customer (cat owners), and brand positioning (premium tech-enabled pet care), though focused on litter and feeding rather than access control.
- Petlibro: Petlibro is a fast-growing DTC smart pet products brand offering app-connected feeders, water fountains, and litter boxes. Comparable to OnlyCat in business model (DTC smart pet hardware with companion app), target customer (cat owners), and use of connectivity/IoT, though focused on feeding and hydration rather than access control.
- Furbo (Tomofun): Furbo is an AI-powered pet camera with treat dispensing that uses computer vision to detect dog/cat behavior and alert owners. Comparable in AI vision technology, consumer IoT category, and target pet-owner market; represents a competitor if they expand into cat-specific access or behavior monitoring.
- Pawscout: Pawscout is a smart pet wearable/collar tag with GPS tracking and a community-based lost pet network. Comparable in consumer pet IoT, microchip-adjacent identification, and app-driven pet monitoring. Sits in the broader smart pet ecosystem OnlyCat could expand into via its hardware + app stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OnlyCat social profiles
Digital presenceOnlyCat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OnlyCat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
OnlyCat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OnlyCat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OnlyCat
What does OnlyCat do?
OnlyCat designs, manufactures, and sells an AI-powered microchip cat flap that uses computer vision to detect when a cat is carrying prey (mice, birds, rats, bugs) and temporarily locks the door to prevent entry. The device pairs with a Wi-Fi-connected companion mobile app for remote monitoring, video notifications, curfew controls, and per-cat door policies. Revenue comes primarily from one-time hardware sales (£450) with an optional cloud subscription (£7.99/month) and a portfolio of installation accessories and spare parts.
Is OnlyCat a public or private company?
OnlyCat is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was OnlyCat founded?
OnlyCat was founded in 2025. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OnlyCat based?
OnlyCat is headquartered in Cramlington, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does OnlyCat make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales (One-Time Purchase) is the primary driver. The others are subscription (Cloud Services) and accessories & Spare Parts.
Who are OnlyCat's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SureFlap, Cat Mate, High Tech Pet Products and PetPorte (by PetSafe). Broad incumbents are Sure Petcare and PetSafe. Emerging players are Whisker (Litter-Robot), Petlibro, Furbo (Tomofun) and Pawscout.
Does OnlyCat have an API?
No public API is recorded for OnlyCat.