Suggestions
John Honchariw
Founder & CEO at Companion
John Honchariw is the Founder and CEO of Companion, a company he established in January 2017.3 With a background in engineering and business, John has leveraged his expertise to develop innovative solutions in the pet care industry, particularly focusing on AI-driven enrichment for dogs.7
Professional Background
- Education: BS in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and ME in Systems Engineering from Cornell University.1
- Early Career: Started at Bain & Company as a consultant from 2007 to 2010.3
- Tech Industry Experience: Worked in business development and product roles at Amprius (2010-2012) and AppDirect (2011-2013).3
- Google: Spent over 3 years (2013-2016) working on early commercialization and product strategy with various teams, including Research, Google[X], and Robotics.3
- Velo3D: Served as an advisor from January 2015 to February 2017.3
Companion
As the founder of Companion, John is focused on using technology to deepen our understanding of animals, particularly dogs.3 The company has developed products like CompanionPro, which aims to help dogs in shelters get adopted and become better companions.4 In April 2023, Companion raised $6 million in funding.5
Expertise and Vision
John's expertise spans product strategy, business development, and early-stage commercialization.2 He envisions using AI and advanced sensors to revolutionize pet care and animal understanding.6 His goal is to create technology that can interact with and understand dogs, potentially addressing issues like separation anxiety and providing enrichment.7
Personal
John is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, including his wife, son, cat, and dog.6


