3 killer businesses hiding in plain sight

Sam and Shaan dive into the fascinating world of niche businesses, revealing that opportunities are often hidden in plain sight, waiting for those with a keen eye and a willingness to explore unconventional paths. They share insights on how to cultivate a mindset of noticing, drawing lessons from comedians, artists, and even personal childhood experiences.

The Wild World of Monkey Testing

Shaan kicks off the discussion with a surprising revelation about the pharmaceutical industry: the extensive use of monkeys in drug testing. He explains that over 20% of all drugs are tested on monkeys, specifically species like the long-tailed cynomolgus, chosen for their intelligence and genetic proximity to humans. This isn't a small operation; companies like Charles River Labs, a publicly traded entity with $4 billion in annual revenue, specialize in providing research and testing services to biotech companies. They even bought a monkey breeding business for $500 million to secure their supply chain. The cost of these monkeys skyrocketed during COVID-19, from $2,000 to $20,000, and even up to $50,000 per monkey, due to increased demand and China's sudden halt on exports. This led to other countries like Cambodia and Vietnam stepping in to fill the supply gap. Shaan recounts a wild story of a Cambodian wildlife director being arrested in the US for allegedly passing off wild monkeys as lab-bred, highlighting the murky ethical and logistical complexities of this hidden industry.