• Dosty is an Azerbaijani startup that operates an all-in-one pet care app
• It provides users worldwide with features like health tracking, expert advice, daily care reminders, and a pet diary, simplifying pet parenting
• Although incorporated in Latvia, Dosty provides a glimpse at Azerbaijani tech scene and a case illustrating its opportunities and challenges

The COP29 Conference will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to November 22, 2024. This major climate summit will gather global leaders, negotiators, and various stakeholders to discuss and advance international climate action. The conference agenda includes thematic focuses on different days, such as climate finance, energy, technology, food security, urbanization, and biodiversity.

Among other goals, the Conference sets to respond to the criticisms regarding a major oil-producing nation once again hosting a top summit on climate and highlight efforts to diversify the local economy, including building a new tech hub.

The Origin of Dosty – an Example of Azerbaijani-Born Innovation

To take a closer look at the rising Azerbaijani tech scene, ITKeyMedia approached Ayaz Ahmadov, the co-founder and CEO of Dosty. Mr Ahmadov can boast about 17 years of experience in marketing strategy, digital product launches, and large-scale brand development, working for consumer-focused platforms that solve real problems and engage people deeply. This includes partnerships with global brands like UEFA and Manchester United, from where he carried an in-depth understanding of the power of combining user-centric design with strategic insights to forge lasting connections.

‘For Dosty, I wanted to apply this expertise to pet care by creating something more than just another tool – it had to be a super app that brings all essential aspects of a pet’s lifestyle into one comprehensive platform,’ Mr Ahmadov states.

As a pet parent to three dogs, Mr Ahmadov could understand firsthand the challenges that pet parents face daily – from managing healthcare needs to ensuring they’re happy and well-cared-for.

‘I didn’t really need to research these struggles. They are my life, and I know there are millions like me who would benefit from a simpler, more effective way to care for their pets. With over a billion dog and cat owners globally, the demand for an all-in-one solution became apparent,’ Mr Ahmadov shares.

Supportive Cross-Border Community

One of these millions is an early supporter of Dosty who chooses to remain anonymous and to whom the entrepreneur refers as ‘a true angel for pets.’ All one can say for sure is that the unnamed angel investor is a dedicated pet parent and advocate for pet well-being, whose trust in Dosty has been invaluable.

‘Our angel investor, while a UK citizen, is Azerbaijani by heritage, and her connection to our vision has been vital. She understands the unique potential we bring from Azerbaijan to the world stage, and her support has motivated us to stay true to our mission. Her commitment not only gave us the financial boost to build Dosty but also provided the encouragement to realize our vision. Her continued faith in our mission has been a constant source of motivation,’ Mr Ahmadov tells ITKeyMedia.

Dosty’s approach to funding is very intentional, focused on scaling the platform to reach more pet parents and expanding its offerings. With a solid foundation in place, the startup is seeking additional funding from partners who share the team’s passion for transforming pet care, in order to accelerate growth, reach new markets, and continue building Dosty as a comprehensive, personalized pet care one-stop-shop app.

‘For us, it’s always been about aligning with the right partners – those who believe in our vision and see Dosty’s potential to truly make a difference in pet care worldwide,’ Mr Ahmadov points out.

Challenges and Milestones

Since Dosty’s founding in 2022, building a super app that combines all vital aspects of pet care into one seamless experience was ambitious, but it was the only way to meet the actual real-life needs of pet owners. From day one, the team realized they had to create a platform that went beyond basic functionality, delivering personalized, AI-driven guidance that adapts to each pet’s unique lifestyle.

Dosty was designed to become a fully-personalized pet care assistant. Rather than a mere AI symptom checker or a content hub, the team set out to create a holistic solution that integrates healthcare, training, nutrition, and more, tailoring advice and support to each pet’s specific needs and lifestyle. In other words, the mission is to combine everything a pet parent needs into one seamless experience, empowering them to provide the best care possible, backed by expert insights and AI-driven personalization.

One of the startup’s first challenges was building a comprehensive and reliable symptom checker, crafted alongside 12 UK-based veterinary experts, led by Dr Joanna Woodnutt. It was essential to build a feature that pet parents could truly trust for assessing health concerns, especially with the global shortage of veterinarians and the high costs and logistical hurdles that many have to face to access care. The Dosty app, capable of identifying over 300 potential causes for 60 common symptoms, demonstrates the team’s commitment to accuracy and accessibility.

‘Our launch in February 2023 was another major milestone, marked by winning #1 Product of the Day on Product Hunt. This initial traction proved that we were addressing a real market need. Since then, we’ve grown to 12,000 users across Europe, with high engagement rates that show how much pet owners appreciate a personalized, all-encompassing pet care assistant. Winning awards like the Wolves Summit Grand Prize and the Connect Pet Tech event, further validated our approach and helped us form essential partnerships for future growth,’ Mr Ahmadov recalls.

As of now, Dosty is designed to support dogs and cats, the two most common groups of pets globally and the ones most understandable in terms of healthcare, behavior, and lifestyle needs. According to Mr Ahmadov, such a focus allows the platform to provide deeply personalized, reliable support for dog and cat parents, covering a wide variety of issues from health assessments to training and nutrition tips, all tailored to each pet’s unique profile.

Further Expansions and Other Ambitions

‘We are always considering ways to expand Dosty’s services to other pets, such as small mammals, birds, or even exotic animals. However, each new category of pet requires extensive research and the development of specific content, symptom-checking algorithms, and expert partnerships to ensure the same level of accuracy and personalization we currently provide. The complexity of different species’ needs means this expansion is a long-term consideration, and we want to ensure that any additional services meet the high standards we’ve set with dogs and cats. In the meantime, we’re committed to enhancing and refining our support for dog and cat owners, which remains our core focus. As we grow, we’ll continue evaluating how we can responsibly and effectively expand Dosty’s offerings to benefit even more pet owners,’ Mr Ahmadov comments.

Looking ahead, Dosty’s plans are centered around expanding both geographically and through strategic partnerships. The app is currently being translated into major European languages to deepen its reach and engagement across Europe and help more pet parents experience the full benefits of Dosty in their languages.

The startup’s ambitions also include launching in Latin America and strengthening its presence in the US – the two high-potential markets for pet care innovation. Beyond geographic expansion, Dotsy aims at growing its B2B presence by forming partnerships with young and ambitious pet tech startups, service providers, insurance companies, and veterinary networks.

Growing Internationally and Remaining Azerbaijani

Dosty is headquartered in Riga, Latvia – a choice driven by strategic advantages. Mr Ahmadov underscoresLatvia’s favorable regulations for tech startups, as well as ease of market entry into the EU. Riga’s position as a dynamic tech hub allows Dosty to operate within an ecosystem that supports innovation, making it easier to scale our product and collaborate with European partners.

‘At the same time, we remain a proud team of professionals from Azerbaijan, bringing our expertise and a deep commitment to our vision of transforming pet care. Our Azerbaijani roots are integral to our identity as a company, and we’re passionate about showcasing our ability to deliver high-quality, globally competitive tech solutions. The blend of our local roots and Riga’s strategic location allows us to bring Dosty’s mission to an international audience while staying true to our heritage,’ Mr Ahmadov explains.

He shares that founding Dosty as an Azerbaijani startup has been both challenging and uniquely rewarding. While Azerbaijan is an emerging player in the tech scene, resources for startups – such as venture capital networks or dedicated tech incubators – are still growing. As such, the team had to rely heavily on its own resilience, creativity, and connections to build momentum, often exploring international partnerships to drive Dosty’s progress.

At the same time, being an Azerbaijani startup offered them a unique perspective and a strong sense of identity. In other words, the unique background allows for a fresh approach to global challenges in pet care, blending a local mindset with the ambition to deliver a world-class solution.

A Look at the Local Tech Scene, Informed by International Experience

Altogether, Mr Ahmadov believes that Azerbaijan’s tech scene is on an exciting trajectory, with growing support structures and a rising interest in innovation. In recent years, there has been a significant push to enhance STEM education and foster a tech-savvy workforce, which is essential for the future of Azerbaijani startups. The government, through initiatives like the Digital Development Agency, has been proactive in offering promising startups opportunities to gain visibility on the international stage and access key resources for growth. These efforts are helping Azerbaijani companies, including Dosty, showcase their potential globally and build international partnerships.

At the same time, as an emerging ecosystem, the country still has room for growth in terms of venture capital availability and specialized incubators for startups. Many Azerbaijani entrepreneurs are driven to explore international funding sources to scale their products. In this situation, what makes the Azerbaijani tech community unique is its resilience and creativity. Local entrepreneurs are accustomed to navigating challenges, and this factor has fostered a community of resourceful and ambitious innovators.

Overall, Azerbaijan’s tech landscape holds a lot of promise. With continued support for tech education, streamlined regulations, and stronger funding networks, the country is well-positioned to become a notable player in the global tech ecosystem.

‘It’s been inspiring to see the recognition Dosty has received internationally, which also helps raise the profile of Azerbaijani tech on a broader scale. We’re proud to show that innovative, globally competitive tech solutions can come from Azerbaijan, and we’re excited to contribute to a thriving tech ecosystem that will support even more startups in the future,’ Mr Ahmadov concludes.