Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
So you want to be an Green Entrepreneur?
THE DREAM
• Originally - Make a place for baby daughter Alyssa to be close to the land.
• Fate attracted key team members together – the Builder, the Salesman, the Guanxi Expert, the Foodie
• Gap in the food market that was not being served – why not build a business?
• Bring together technology, knowledge and capital to uplift “三农” in rural china.
• Make profits in China with a green conscience! Produce the best seed to plate greens for Shanghai
Chefs
Microgreens
Microgreens make dishes into an artistic masterpiece with vibrant
colors, strong flavors and distinctive plate presentation.
Our Products
Herbs Culinary herbs are sourced from
USA/Europe so that taste is never compromised.
How We Grow
Hydroponics Aquaponics
Applying soil-less, nutrient solution culture to plant roots in controlled growing facility
Combination of aquaculture and hydroponics in a
symbiotic system
We built our own grow systems from the ground up and use sustainable horticultural practices.
How We Are Sustainable
Local delivery (70 KM)
Use natural & safe growing prac=ces
Recircula=ng grow
systems
Deploy renewable energy
Engage local community
We work with the community to source most materials locally
and exchange knowledge
Growing technologies are designed to reuse and conserve water
and nutrient resources
We use no pes=cides, herbicides, or
contaminated water. We use stringent
codes and filtra=ons.
We deliver in Shanghai reducing transport, carbon footprint, and ensuring produce
freshness
Harness local energy sources included
rainwater collec=on, wind energy
Green Incubator for display & storage
We offer green incubator systems to keep greens living and minimize delivery
frequency
❖ SUSTAINABILITY: We manage and operate responsibly and minimizing our impact on the local environment as much as we can.
❖ HIGH-TECHNOLOGY PRACTICES: We leverage technological advancement for a more resilient and restful growing future.
❖ SAFETY: We care about people’s health and use soil-less systems to avoid harmful chemicals.
❖ PASSION & HARD WORK: We want to cultivate sustainable agriculture and connect people back to their food.
❖ MULTI-CULTURAL: We are a global melting pot of agricultural professionals and respect and encourage cultural diversity.
Our Credo
Started with an empty rice field..
From Zero to Full Speed Ahead
From Zero to Full Speed Ahead
Growing and motivating the team!
• Business plan is key before anything! – Where to play, How to win, People and Assets, Goals, Key Capabili=es needed
• Validate that plan! (including talking to poten=al customers, suppliers and compe=tors) • Corporate structure – WOFE or Local company • Capital Requirements – overseas funding takes more =me to inject as RMB capital. Op=mal Debt/Equity ra=o worth exploring as shareholder loan easier to move $ around. • Business Scope and registered address. Which tax district? Any government incen=ves? • Expecta=ons of roles and =me commitment of all partners clear?
Before you start….
• Take what you expect to spend on capex and double it. Implica=ons on IRR? • Make sure you get the Band together before star=ng out! Your team is biggest asset. • Government regula=ons in China are complicated but ignorance is NOT an excuse! • Take into account =me factor of gecng necessary licenses and permits (especially WOFE) • Be prepared to make sacrifices to your lifestyle. You need insane clarity and focus to get a startup off the ground.
Top 5 Learning
• Overall green businesses have slower payback than tradi=onal projects ! • Tradi=onal businesses externalize environmental costs (see Tragedy of Commons) and internalize all profits • A green business tries to strike that balance between paying fair share for external costs and s=ll turning a profit • This is about passion and wan=ng to live a different way rather than inves=ng in “trendy”.
Expecta=ons on Return
Alex Ng Founder C: 1502 1338 433 E: [email protected] W: www.theverdura.com
Good Luck with building your Green Dream!
