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“Helped create over $5 billion in enterprise value over the years and have raised more than $300 million for companies they founded.”
“Behind the curtain with Petfolk founder Mike Wystrach — the challenges, the naivety, and the operational efficiency it takes to disrupt markets.”
“Drawing from two decades of building and scaling operating-intensive businesses.”
“Petfolk is redefining what connected, compassionate, tech-forward pet care looks like — Pet Solution of the Year.”
Biography
Short Bio (50 words)
Mike Wystrach is co-founder of Cutting Horse, a $75M growth equity firm partnered with founder-led consumer brands. He's helped create $5B+ in enterprise value — including Freshly, which he founded and sold to Nestlé for $1.5B. He also co-founded Petfolk and hosts The Advantage.
Full Bio (300 words)
Mike Wystrach is a serial founder, operator, and investor with 15+ years of experience building and backing consumer-focused companies. He grew up on a ranch in southern Arizona, where his parents ran the family steakhouse for nearly four decades — an upbringing that shaped his operating instincts and his belief that real businesses are built with real work.
Today, Mike is co-founder of Cutting Horse, a growth-equity firm built with longtime collaborator Chris Protasewich. The pair has helped create over $5B in enterprise value and raised more than $300M for companies they founded. Cutting Horse closed its $75M Fund I in February 2026 (oversubscribed) and partners with founder-led consumer brands across food, health, pet, and consumer services — including Ghia, Beam, Promix, Butternut Box, and Feel Goods.
Mike's operating track record anchors the firm. In 2012, he founded Freshly, raised $107M, scaled to 2,500 employees shipping 1M+ meals a week across all 48 states, and sold the company to Nestlé for $1.5 billion in October 2020. He also co-founded Petfolk with his sister Dr. Audrey Wystrach — modern, technology-driven veterinary care, now 40+ centers across 8 states with NPS 90+.
Mike is a Fortune contributor and hosts The Advantage, a podcast and weekly newsletter for founders and operators who've actually built something.
Quick Facts
- Name
- Michael "Mike" Wystrach
- Current Role
- Co-founder, Cutting Horse
- Also Operating
- Co-founder, Petfolk
- Known For
- Freshly ($1.5B exit to Nestlé)
- Podcast
- The Advantage
- Writing
- Fortune contributor
One-Sheet (PDF)
Download a one-page overview for event organizers, press, and media.
Coming SoonKey Numbers
$5B+
Enterprise value created
$300M+
Raised for companies founded
$75M
Cutting Horse Fund I
14
Cutting Horse portfolio companies
$1.5B
Freshly exit to Nestlé · 2020
40+
Petfolk care centers · 8 states
Awards & Recognition
$75M Fund I, Oversubscribed
Cutting Horse
Closed Fund I in Feb 2026, partnering with founder-led consumer brands across food, health, pet, and services
Pet Solution of the Year
Pet Innovation Awards
Petfolk recognized as the industry-leading pet care solution
Top 5 Most Loved Workplaces
Newsweek
Petfolk ranked top 5 on Newsweek's 2024 Global Most Loved Workplaces list
$1.5B Exit to Nestlé
Freshly
Freshly acquired by Nestlé on October 30, 2020
Fortune Contributor
Fortune
Commentary on AI, leadership, and scaling operating-intensive businesses
eTail Boston Speaker
Worldwide Business Research
Keynote on disrupting the $1.3T food industry
Featured In
Writing & Press
Hover to pause · click any story to read
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Petfolk Announces $40M in Series A Funding to Revolutionize Veterinary Care
Charlotte-based Petfolk raises $35 million from investors
On Raising Over $100M To Deliver Chef-Cooked Meals To Your Door
Recent Press
The real promise of AI isn't fewer jobs, it's cheaper thinking
E113: £500M Exit — Behind The Curtain With Petfolk Founder Mike Wystrach
The trials and triumphs of entrepreneurship, with host Dan Maccarone
Petfolk named "Pet Solution of the Year" 2023
Petfolk Announces $40M in Series A Funding
Bankrupt Restaurant to $1.5 Billion Company in 7 Years
Speaking Topics
Building & Scaling Without Compromising Culture
Leadership in High-Growth Companies
The Founder’s Journey: Wins, Losses, and What Matters
Building for Acquisition vs. Building for Impact