Meet Silvia Annunziata, Founder & CEO of Powsh Sagl

Tell us more about Powsh Sagl

Powsh is a digital pet health companion that helps pet parents make informed decisions when they feel most alone — before or after a vet visit, during symptom observation, or whenever they are unsure how to act. It transforms everyday pet health conversations into structured data and proactive, personalised support for daily pet care. By digitising symptom tracking, vet preparation, and continuous follow-ups through reminders and smart notifications, Powsh combines technology, education, and trusted guidance to make pet care more accessible, continuous, and human.

Please give some more details of your startup story: what was the “aha” moment that led to the idea for your startup?

One evening, after noticing unusual symptoms in my dog, I found myself scrolling through photos, notes, old vet reports, and endless conflicting opinions online, trying to understand whether I should worry or wait. I remember thinking: I cannot be the only person feeling this lost — how are others dealing with this, and what has actually worked?

Coming from pharma and healthcare transformation, where tracking data can change outcomes, I started wondering why pet care was still so fragmented. That gap became Powsh — an assistant that does not just store data, but actively helps you manage your pet’s health.

So, what’s next for you — what’s a bold goal you’re chasing right now? 

Our next bold step is scaling beyond early adopters and expanding our reach. Long term, we aim to build the leading AI-driven infrastructure for real-world pet health data, enabling smarter prevention, earlier intervention, and more personalised veterinary care.

Which decision had the most unexpected positive impact on your startup? 

One of the most impactful decisions was collaborating with veterinarians to create educational content around prevention and symptom recognition. We discovered that vets are genuinely eager to share knowledge, while pet parents are actively looking for trustworthy guidance.

These videos are not only shared on social media but are also becoming part of the Powsh experience itself — making support feel more human, practical, and grounded in real expertise, with AI acting simply as an enabler.

How did you build your team, and what helps you maintain your startup culture? 

Building a startup is not always easy, especially in the early stages. What keeps the team committed is that we are all pet parents ourselves. We deeply relate to the problem we are trying to solve and share the belief that pet care should feel less overwhelming, more informed, and more human. That shared purpose keeps us aligned.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings? 

One of the biggest learnings has been realising that having a strong idea and purpose is not enough on its own. A meaningful vision only survives if you build a sustainable structure underneath it.

If I could start again, I would focus earlier on creating stronger foundations around the business model, operations, and long-term sustainability — even if that sometimes means stopping, rethinking, and rebuilding parts of the journey.

Building a startup requires resilience. How do you stay focused during tough times? 

What keeps me focused is remembering the real problem behind Powsh. Every time a pet parent shares a moment of confusion, stress, or relief, it reminds me why we are building this.

I have also learned that resilience is not about never struggling — it is about being willing to adapt, rethink, and keep moving forward even when the path changes.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup? 

Ask questions, listen carefully, and stay open to opinions — even the ones you disagree with. Some of the best insights come from uncomfortable feedback.

At the same time, stay true to your vision and change direction only when it genuinely makes sense. Time and energy are limited, so choosing whose advice you listen to is one of the most important decisions you will make.

What’s your outlook on the future of the Swiss startup scene, and how can it compete internationally? 

We are living in an increasingly global era, where building things alone is becoming more difficult. I strongly believe collaboration is the only real way to compete internationally.

Fortunately, Switzerland already has many initiatives moving in this direction, connecting startups, institutions, and research centres. Combining strengths, knowledge, and networks is what will make the ecosystem stronger globally.

What value do you see in being part of the Swiss Startup Association? 

Being part of the Swiss Startup Association means being connected to people who understand both the excitement and the challenges of building something from scratch.

Professionally, it creates opportunities for collaboration and visibility. Personally, it makes the journey feel less isolated and more supported within a community that shares similar ambitions and values.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

If you are a pet parent, try Powsh, help us shape the future of pet care, and tell us what you think. Some of the most valuable ideas and improvements come directly from real everyday experiences shared by the community.

Connect with Silvia on LinkedIn!