HoldCo Builders How I Built a Businesses Portfolio Which Does $1B in Revenue | Eran Efrat Interview
“Don’t stop trying…”
Eran used to work as an airport security to pay the bills.
Today, VerDiesel Group does $1 billion in revenue…
Turns out that KFC and McDonald's used cooking oil can be VERY big business.
Add biodiesel, biogas, feedstock… it gets HUGE.
Everything we touched in the first 2-3 years failed. Everything. We tried to touch everything but we had no experience.
Every time I did not have the money, I said I would find the money. I then went and found the money.
We discuss:
– 4 years of market research with no success
– First serious breakthrough in 2012
– Forming a partnership with a BIG petrochemical company with no money or experience
– Importance of relationships
00:00 - Intro
00:42 - Company size, revenue, markets they serve with their products/services
02:29 - Studying law at the University of Bologna, army, a bartender, moved from Israel to Italy in 2004
05:05 - How they found opportunities in early days - wind turbines, equipment for bicycles
08:17 - Partnership. Relying on each other's strengthsand the job him and his partner did to cover bills in early days
14:07 - 100+ meetings with people with 30-40 years of industry experience is why I'm here today
22:09 - I know how to sell and solve problems with customers and suppliers
40:10 - Big money business means big and expensive mistakes
47:05 - The future of the VerDiesel Group
53:49 - Be willing to give equity if it keeps your business alive
56:06 - Much of my success is thanks to my wife
My full conversation with Eran Efran , the co-founder of VerDiesel Group — Stream now.
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