Business idea · Physical-Services
Ethical Monkey Breeding and Lab Testing Services
Ethical Monkey Breeding and Lab Testing Services is a business that breeds monkeys for lab testing in a humane and ethical manner, providing high-quality non-human primates to research companies while ensuring the welfare of the animals. It was pitched on My First Million in the episode "3 killer businesses hiding in plain sight" (aired August 12, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | 3 killer businesses hiding in plain sight |
| Aired | August 12, 2026 |
| Category | Physical-Services |
| Real companies on the episode | Mercury, Exploding Kittens, Charles River Labs, Daydream Dental |
The problem it solves
There is a high demand for monkeys in drug testing, but ethical concerns regarding their treatment and sourcing create a market gap for responsible breeding practices.
How it makes money
B2B sales model where research companies pay for the monkeys and associated care, potentially supplemented with consulting services for ethical compliance.
Skills you need
Knowledge of animal husbandry, experience in research compliance, business management skills, and ethical sourcing practices.
The market, and why this works now
Research labs focused on primate studies often face scrutiny over ethical sourcing. The Animal Welfare Act mandates specific care standards for lab animals, creating a demand for ethically bred monkeys. Initial revenue can be generated through partnerships with institutions like the National Institutes of Health, which require compliant animal sources for their studies. A significant challenge in the first year will be meeting the stringent regulatory requirements for breeding and care, which can be costly and time-consuming to establish.
Our analysis, written after the episode. Not a quote from the show.
Real companies discussed on this episode
- Mercury
A fintech company offering banking products tailored for startups and entrepreneurs.
- Exploding Kittens
A board game and card game company known for creating popular games, including the game 'Exploding Kittens'.
- Charles River Labs
A research and testing services company that provides testing for biotech companies, including drug testing on animals.
- Daydream Dental
A company that offers back-office services for dental practices, specializing in managing insurance claims and billing processes.
Where this idea came from
Podcast: My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Episode: 3 killer businesses hiding in plain sight
Aired:
Summarized from the episode transcript. The show does not say which speaker raised each idea, so we credit the show, not a person.