MightyGreens

This interview details MightyGreens, an indoor farming company based in Brazil. The interview is with Natale Papa, CEO of MightyGreens.

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What is the origin story of MightyGreens?

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MightyGreens was founded by two ex-tech executives, Rodrigo Meyer, and Thomas Oberlin, along with the expertise of a PhD Agronomist, Glaucio Genuncio, and the innovation and hands-on skills set of Eudo Junior (Known as the MacGyver of MightyGreens). 

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Our journey started when Rodrigo and Thomas were deeply moved by a friend's experience in Venezuela. Their friend would send them heart-wrenching photos of empty grocery store shelves, after hours spent waiting in food lines. These powerful images painted a stark reality of food shortages and the importance of food security.

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This experience prompted Rodrigo and Thomas to delve into the world of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). They felt a profound responsibility to find sustainable solutions that could make a positive impact on people's lives. With Glaucio's agricultural expertise and their own tech backgrounds, they embarked on a mission to bring fresh, nutrient-rich greens to those in need and beyond. At MightyGreens, we believe in the transformative power of fresh, local food and the vital role it plays in our well-being. Our journey is deeply rooted in this mission, and we are honored to be able to share it.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing MightyGreens in the future? 

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The road ahead for MightyGreens is filled with exciting opportunities, but we also recognize several significant challenges on our journey. These challenges include:

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1. Sustaining High Growth: Our constant, high levels of growth bring about the ongoing need for working capital. This growth presents a financial challenge as we continue to scale and invest in our operations, product development, and market expansion.

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2. Supplier Demands: As we expand rapidly, there's increased pressure on our suppliers to provide a rapidly increasing amount of raw materials. This requires us to maintain strong relationships with our suppliers, ensure consistent quality, and manage the logistics of a growing supply chain effectively.

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3. Recruitment and Training: Rapid growth also means the need to rapidly recruit and train personnel. At MightyGreens, we take pride in our clear company culture, which places a premium on performance, commitment, and camaraderie. We seek dedicated workers who are not only passionate about their jobs but also deeply committed to their families and our shared mission.

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4. Work-Life Balance: One of the significant challenges in the farming industry is finding enough hours in the day to sleep. Farming is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year business, and people depend on us for their food. Balancing the demands of our operations with the well-being of our team members remains a continuous challenge.

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While these challenges are significant, they also represent opportunities for innovation and growth. At MightyGreens, we are dedicated to addressing these challenges head-on, finding creative solutions, and continuing to make a positive impact on the world by providing fresh, nutritious greens to our communities.

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What is unique about MightyGreens compared to competitors? 

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What sets MightyGreens apart from our competitors is a unique approach deeply rooted in our values and expertise. In an industry sector where many startups have garnered substantial funding based on projected scale and purportedly game-changing technology, we take a different path.

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MightyGreens is built on the foundation of modular, scalable solutions. Our emphasis lies in combining technology and process improvement to achieve two critical goals: reducing operational expenses and enhancing the productivity of the facilities we design and operate. This approach allows us to create more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions for producing fresh, nutrient-rich greens and mushrooms.

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Our focus on modularity is not merely a design principle but a reflection of our commitment to delivering a tangible impact. It enables us to deploy a distributed network of efficient farms, as opposed to setting up mega-farms that cater to only a limited number of markets. This network approach allows us to reach more communities, make our products more accessible, and promote local food production, all while minimizing our environmental footprint.

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At MightyGreens, we believe that a commitment to sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand, and our dedication to modular, scalable solutions is a testament to this belief. Our approach differentiates us in a competitive landscape and aligns with our mission to provide fresh, quality greens that benefit both consumers and the environment.

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How do you measure the impact of MightyGreens so far? (Revenue, Employees, Customer Quantity, Production Volume) etc? 

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MightyGreens takes a holistic approach when measuring its impact, looking beyond conventional business metrics. We begin by evaluating our impact on future generations. In Brazil, the consumption of vegetables and mushrooms is relatively lower compared to the EU and North America. To address this, we are committed to fostering change by engaging in events that provide urban children with valuable experiences in understanding how food is produced.

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Through these events, we empower young minds to plant their own microgreens or actively participate in harvesting and cooking mushrooms. It's incredible to witness how, once they have this hands-on experience, their attitudes towards these food sources evolve positively. This not only instills a deeper appreciation for fresh, nutritious greens but also contributes to a fundamental shift in their dietary choices.

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Moreover, these efforts have translated into a significant impact on our business. We are proud to report consistent month-over-month growth rates that exceed 25%, reflecting our commitment to making a difference in the community. In comparing 2022 to 2023 year-to-date, we've achieved remarkable year-over-year growth of over 525%, indicating that our mission is resonating with a wider audience.

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Furthermore, we have seen a steady increase in our number of points of distribution, signifying that MightyGreens' products are reaching more individuals and communities. These metrics not only underscore our commitment to health and sustainability but also reinforce the idea that when we invest in educating and inspiring future generations, we create a ripple effect of positive change.

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What have you learned that you wish you knew when you joined or started the company? 

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I never knew it would be this gratifying to produce food. When I see a child asking their parents to purchase our microgreens or mushrooms for them to eat, I know that we are having an impact that will last a lifetime.  

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How can people connect with you or learn more about MightyGreens?

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You can reach me by email at natale@mightygreens.com.br or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natale-papa-jr-047b814a

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WhatsApp: +55 21 99935 4020

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