Andrew Hamilton is an MIT-educated serial entrepreneur and biotech innovator with a track record of building and scaling ventures across fintech, e-commerce, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. With a foundation in systems engineering and experience in FDA-regulated environments, Hamilton has launched multiple companies at the intersection of health, technology, and logistics. He first rose to prominence in the mid-2000s after selling a trading platform at just 22, later pivoting into crypto and biotech, where he built one of the largest registered drug manufacturers in the animal health sector. Known for identifying market inefficiencies and moving fast on data-driven opportunities, Hamilton brings a bold, unconventional approach to business—often launching products before perfection, then refining them through real-world execution. His work is shaped by personal experience, technical expertise, and a relentless drive to solve problems at scale.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I start my mornings early—usually around 5:45 a.m. I spend the first 15 minutes in quiet reflection, sometimes praying or manifesting. I sit in my massage chair, listen to motivational speakers like David Goggins, and get mentally ready for the day. By 7 a.m., I’m at the office. We usually hit the gym inside our warehouse before getting into fulfillment and lab operations. Our drug shipping cutoff is 2 p.m., so the mornings are all about execution. After work, I spend time with my kids, then I usually get back to emails or planning late at night. I don’t sleep much—five to six hours—but I stay focused because I structure my days with discipline and energy.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Data leads everything. I look for low-hanging fruit—places where demand is high and competition is low. Sometimes that’s in product gaps, sometimes it’s through conversations with people in the industry. Other times, opportunities come from my network—especially lawyer friends who know of companies looking to exit or need capital. Once I spot something with potential, I go all-in, build fast, and scale hard.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Drone tech—especially its use in defense, logistics, and photography. I’ve invested in a few drone projects already. I also think we’re entering a golden era for American manufacturing, and AI and robotics will change everything we know about productivity.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Launching before I feel ready. Perfectionism kills momentum. I’ve learned it’s better to put out a minimum viable product and improve as you go. Waiting too long for things to be perfect will slow you down or stop you altogether.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t dwell on failure—weaponize it. Every setback is a chance to level up. Use the pain, the heartbreak, the loss—it’s fuel. Also: never get too comfortable. That pause you think you’re taking will cost you double when you have to catch back up.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I’m a believer in simulation theory—the idea that we may be living in a simulated reality. I’m also fascinated by the hedonistic imperative, which is about using technology to end suffering. I’ve even worked with philosophers in that space. It’s a wild concept, but I think there’s more truth to it than most people want to admit.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Push past your limits. Set unrealistic goals—delusional even. If you shoot for $200K and only hit $100K, you’re still ahead of where you’d be aiming small. Overcommit and let the pressure force your growth.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take the chaos as a sign that I’m leveling up. That “doom” feeling—when the printer breaks, clients complain, your bank drops you—that’s the universe testing if you’re ready for the next level. I don’t try to avoid it. I just push through.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building before we’re ready. I commit to big, audacious goals—then reverse-engineer how to make them happen. That mindset has helped us grow Vetr.com quickly, expand our distribution footprint, and get into major wholesale channels—all by committing first and figuring it out along the way.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
After selling a trading platform in 2008, I got complacent. I took time off to be a dad, which was meaningful, but I lost momentum in business. By the time I wanted back in, the tech world had evolved. It took me years to catch up. I learned that taking breaks can set you back way more than you think. Stay in motion.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
There’s huge untapped potential in the drone space. If someone could build a B2B-focused drone services company—handling security, surveying, or agriculture—they’d be ahead of the curve. I’m not pursuing that angle myself right now, so it’s yours.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
We use Basecamp and Slack for internal communication, especially for managing lab protocols and FDA compliance. Everything from pH levels to manufacturing logs gets tracked. We’re also experimenting with Monday.com to manage our broader operations as we grow.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I listen to a book a week—my goal is 52 a year. Principles by Ray Dalio had a big impact on how I think. For podcasts, I’m a fan of Lex Fridman for deep dives and 21CD if you’re into sci-fi and forward thinking. It’s a hidden gem.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Succession is probably the best business show ever made—raw, real, and full of lessons on power and legacy. I also loved WeCrashed and Super Pumped. Both are about visionary founders who scaled fast and made big mistakes. There’s a lot to learn from their journeys.
Key learnings
- Launch Before You’re Ready
Hamilton emphasizes speed over perfection. He believes the biggest barrier to progress is waiting too long to launch, and he’s built his businesses by releasing minimum viable products quickly, then refining based on real-world feedback. - Data is the Driver of Innovation
Andrew doesn’t rely on guesswork. He identifies market gaps using data—looking for demand with little competition—and moves fast once he spots an opportunity. Many of his business ideas have come from analyzing underserved segments or listening closely to industry pain points. - Use Failure as Fuel
Rather than avoiding failure, Hamilton views it as essential. He encourages others to “weaponize” failure—use it to level up, learn faster, and sharpen resilience. Personal losses and business setbacks have shaped his trajectory more than his early successes.