A University of Nottingham spin-out is revolutionising animal health through cutting-edge AI technology. Vet Vision AI, co-founded by Dr Charles Carslake and a team of vets and researchers, has developed sophisticated monitoring tools for veterinarians, farmers, and animal owners. Their innovative approach combines decades of veterinary expertise with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to address long-standing challenges in animal welfare monitoring.
Pioneering holistic animal care
Charles explains:
We're developing tools to help vets, farmers and animal owners understand if their animals are healthy and happy. Our background as researchers and veterinarians drove us to bring laboratory innovations into the real world, making a tangible difference in animal health and welfare.
Using advanced sensors and computer vision algorithms, Vet Vision AI’s systems provide comprehensive insights into animal behaviour, comfort levels and moods. The technology interprets subtle behavioural changes and physical indicators that might escape human observation, enabling early intervention and preventative care. This proactive approach not only enhances animal wellbeing but also delivers substantial economic benefits across the food supply chain by reducing treatment costs and improving livestock health outcomes.
From academia to commerciality
The transition from academia to commerce has been supported by strategic partnerships and industry mentorship. Through Innovate UK's ICURe programme (Innovation and Commercialisation of University Research), the team has explored global commercialisation opportunities for their university research. This intensive market validation process helped them refine their technology to meet real-world industry needs while maintaining scientific rigour.
They've caught the eye of some big names in retail - Sainsbury’s, for example, is already using their AI tech to check on animal welfare throughout their supply chain. Having a major supermarket on board is a significant endorsement of their technology and shows its potential for scaling across different agricultural settings and animal care environments.
Supermarkets have increasingly recognised their leadership role in animal health and welfare, wanting to ensure good standards for their customers.This has helped us gain traction, with inquiries coming from around the world.
says Charles.
Legal foundations for growth
As Vet Vision AI expands into new markets and applications, robust legal support has become crucial. Working with our solicitors through our Enable plan, Charles and the team have secured comprehensive legal expertise across multiple areas. We've helped craft their initial contract suite, including customer terms and conditions that define the scope of their AI technology. Their unique position working with both supermarkets and farmers required specialised agreements to protect all parties while enabling product trials. We've also established their adviser agreements, which outline the consultant’s role in advising senior management, mentoring the board, contributing to product development, and assisting with business growth in exchange for Growth Shares in the company. Additionally, these agreements safeguard the company’s intellectual property, and confidential information, and include non-solicitation and non-dealing clauses. We've also implemented employee incentive schemes through EMI Share Options and provided ongoing data protection advisory services.
Charles advises other university spinouts:
Getting in touch with a law firm with diverse expertise for a gap analysis is vital - there are often areas requiring legal input that you might not anticipate. The solicitors at Harper James have taken the time to understand our business model and create specific contracts that have helped us unlock partnerships with large groups.
Our employee share scheme, data protection, employment, IP and commercial law and technology specialists have helped this unique university spinout to establish a legal framework that has been essential for protecting their research and technology, managing liability exposure, and facilitating partnerships with both major retailers and smaller customers.
Future vision
Vet Vision AI is now seeking investment to scale its proven solutions and expand its technological capabilities. Charles states:
We believe we've got a great commercial fit, demonstrated by our products and existing contracts. But we really need to take it to the next level and attract investment.
Vet Vision AI’s success shows what is possible when you turn university research into a commercially viable business. Like many spinouts, Charles and the team have faced common hurdles like finding the balance between their research and commerciality, protecting their intellectual property and convincing key industry players like Sainsbury’s to take a chance on them.
They got it right by starting with market validation through ICURe, building the right partnerships, and putting solid legal foundations in place early on. It's a practical example for other researchers looking to commercialise their work while keeping their scientific integrity intact.