How this little guy gave us a great idea
Many years ago in Venezuela, I lived in a cottage in the woods on the land of my family's farm. It was a voluntary seclusion. Four years there. It was an extremely simple existence. Almost no contact with anyone, other than the creatures of the forest. I had what I needed and most importantly - I was off the grid, which was something I wanted and needed at the time. One day I sat down for a coffee with my neighbors. We had our coffee and talked. On a farm with animals, there are going to be flies, and there were a lot of them. I became mesmerized by the reaction of the ducks and geese whenever a fly would get close to them. They became very excited and would chase them. I caught several flies, hit them against the floor to get them nearly knocked out but still moving. The geese and ducks saw what I was doing and quickly started to pick and eat them. Several flies later, the geese,ducks and some chickens joined the party. They waited for me to catch and offer them what was, and is their most valued and appreciated meal - INSECTS. FeedTech was born in that moment.
I headed back to civilization to make a product that would benefit humanity. I did preliminary research. Looked at the many different insects that could be grown other than flies. I discovered that certain species were close to perfect for feeding poultry, livestock and fish. We did a lot of reading and researching about these creatures. Almost all the information found was exclusively about the many way to exterminate them. I inquired at universities. Starting within Venezuela. Next was the USA, UK and Germany. I found better information from “Instituto Butantan” in Brazil. They were open and interested in supporting me. With all this information under my belt, I began the test phase of the project. I built first the very basic components which I needed to test my theory. The installation is modular; the simple “module” can be repeated ad-infinitum. I took a sample of the feed to a laboratory. The woman at the reception desk couldn't understand why I was leaving a tube full of insect powder to be analyzed. She told me they receive hundreds of samples daily, but nothing like this. Three weeks later I went to laboratory to get the results. I was surprised when the results were delivered by the Chief of this prestigious institution. He was very curious and excited. He knew I had something good and he wanted the laboratory to be a part of it. He was most impressed that I could systematically grow insects. He asked many questions. He wasn't trying to steal anything, he was genuinely intrigued and interested. I was amazed. For me that was a big reward. Not long after, my girlfriend connected me with two high ranking executives in what was the biggest private bank at that time. They too became interested. We met and had many talks. One particular man was very interested. We met several times. They treated me like royalty. They were going to help me make a real project... or were they? I later learned that he was spreading the idea that I was just a “crazy guy trying to sell a crazy idea” and at the same time he was trying hard to sell my idea to large group of investors. My girlfriend’s sister and her boyfriend arranged for me an appointment with an important executive of the Inter-American Development Bank. ”Good morning Mr. Ochoa de BERTREN. Mr. ….. is waiting for you”. It all went very well, very smooth and nice. What a nice person I thought… Many questions were asked, but since I had come to learn what the previous executive was doing behind my back, I was cautious and answered very conservatively. This executive was truly impressed. The scope and the nature of his many questions were enough for me to figure out that he understood what was at stake. He was the originator of financing for many projects in Latin America. The second appointment. “We find your project could help many people in need in this continent and the world. Imagine Mr. de BERTREN how much good you can do. You can be an important element in the development of countries that are struggling…” The deal? The magnificent offer? “We, the Inter-American Development Bank, can finance your project. Isn’t it wonderful?! You’ll be granted the means for developing this very helpful project. Then, thanks to you, we’ll take this project to the rest of the country and to the whole South American continent and probably to some other places in the world.” I asked “What does that mean?” “It means you will develop the project in the north central region of the country.” I inquired “What about the rest of the country, the rest of the continent and the world?” “Oh, no, no. You don’t want that. It’s too complicated. We will take care of that. In exchange for the finances we are going to provide, we will take care of what is outside the central region.” I responded “My project is not for sale, I mean I’m not trying to find a buyer.” I was clear and firm. This was a person who couldn't understand who and what I was about. Several weeks later I got a call from this Inter-American Development Bank executive. The tone was not formal at all. He didn't call me “Mr.” He called me “Vladimir” without any formality. We met over a cup of coffee. He was talking to me like an old friend. More than that, like a caring counselor, very concerned about me. He told me that what I was trying to achieve was not good at all for the big feed producing companies. My project was not welcome at all. It would conflict with their interests. He told me “they” discussed the project. Then he said “There are two scenarios. The best, you stop immediately with your project and you’ll be fine. The worst, you continue, you move ahead with it and your head will roll off…” I remember I asked if that was a metaphor…? “No, it means your head is not going to be attached to your body any more.” Years later I got an offer in Lebanon from a father of a friend. He would lend me the money to start, he would get the money from investors to grow the business. I would get or retain 10% of the shares after I paid the loan!!! My goodness, I laughed out loud. I couldn't believed it. But he was serious. I asked my friend if he understood what was happening, if he was understanding the offer. He didn't. I asked to his father if he understood that his offer was illegal, that in a contract where one part would get all the benefits while the other would bear all the burdens. My friend found a way to tell me that his father was already trying to develop my idea with his associate and probably some bankers. They were even already figuring out the distribution of the share of the future profits. That was the end of the Lebanon chapter. More greed! I learned several things:
Today my idea is being re-born at a much better time and on a much healthier basis. I have a good and smart business partner. We are going to help feed the world... with insects! ... and we are going to have an adventure doing it! We hope you join us “on the road of happy destiny” to build a better world. Vladimir de BERTREN +33 6 60 63 18 62 Jason Fischer +1 917-496-9615 |
Invest in FeedTech
Invest in the feeding of humanity
and the care of the planet
... and be financially rewarded as well!
Invest in the feeding of humanity
and the care of the planet
... and be financially rewarded as well!