Key Lessons to learn from the success of AgriProtein

Key Lessons to learn from the success of
AgriProtein
We love to share success stories on Smallstarter but what’s most
important for you, the reader, is to learn and apply the key lessons
that led to success in all the stories. We have identified three key
lessons from AgriProtein’s journey to success and we hope you
learn something from them. Here they are:
1. Always think long term
Many entrepreneurs rarely take the time to digest and polish a
business idea to make viable for the long term. David Drew and his
partners at AgriProtein first had the idea for maggot-based animal
feed in 2004. However, to solidify their business idea, they knew it
had to be backed up by sufficient scientific and business evidence
to make it investible.
To achieve this, they partnered with the University of Stellenbosch,
South Africa and sponsored Masters and PhD level students to
provide cutting edge research in the innovative field of nutrient
recycling and animal nutrition under the guidance of the University.
After five years of parallel academic and manufacturing research,
AgriProtein was finally ready to launch its business plan on an
industrial and commercial scale. Today, its long term thinking has
paid off and the company is on track to great and astounding
success.
2. Work with the right partners
Working with the right partners can bring a lot of value to a new
business. The right partners can provide access to capital,
customers, promotion and even important market data.
AgriProtein’s partnership with the University of Stellenbosch, South
Africa helped to provide the critical research, analysis and
credibility that has helped the company.
AgriProtein also enjoys a strategic partnership with the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation and has received financial assistance
from the Foundation to support its work.
3.  Green business ideas can be profitable too
The threat of climate change and its adverse effects on the
environment has made green business ideas very attractive to
investors, governments, NGOs and even consumers. Any business
idea that promotes recycling of waste, protecting the environment
or harnessing natural and renewable energy sources has a high
likelihood of success in today’s world.
Like AgriProtein, Smallstarter has featured several other African
entrepreneurs who have achieved remarkable success with green
businesses. Lorna Rutto , who’s saving Kenya’s forests by
recycling plastic waste into lumber and Patrick Ngowi who is
leading the solar energy revolution to reduce fossil fuel pollution
are just two examples of the possibilities of green business ideas.