Aquaponics Business Plan
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Below is a template to help you create each section of your Aquaponics business plan.
Executive Summary
Business Overview
Growing Green Aquaponics is a startup aquaponics farm located in Salem, Oregon. The company is founded by Bob Hall, an experienced horticulturist who has gained valuable knowledge on how to grow food using aquaponics during the past ten years while working at Healthy Grown Aquaponics. Now that Bob has experienced managing an aquaponics farm, he is ready to start his own company, Growing Green Aquaponics. Bob is confident that his aquaponics skills, combined with his understanding of business management, will enable him to run a profitable aquaponics company of his own. Bob is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of commercial aquaponics farming – sales and marketing, crop production, greenhouse management, fish farm management, budgeting, purchasing, financial reporting, system maintenance, and customer relations.
Growing Green Aquaponics will provide a wide selection of produce for grocery stores, restaurants, and individual consumers. Growing Green will be the go-to aquaponics farm in Salem for fresh produce available all year round. The company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while offering the best produce prices in the area.
Product Offering
The following are the products that Growing Green Aquaponics will grow and sell:
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Peppers
- Squash
- Eggplant
Customer Focus
Growing Green Aquaponics will target B2B customers in Salem such as local grocers, specialty food stores, and restaurants. The company will also target D2C customers including farmers market shoppers and customers who come directly to the farm to purchase produce. No matter the customer, Growing Green Aquaponics will deliver the best communication, service, and the freshest produce.
Management Team
Growing Green Aquaponics will be owned and operated by Bob Hall. Bob is a graduate of Oregon University with a degree in Horticulture. He has over ten years of experience working as an aquaponics technician for another local farm. Bob will be the company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Head Aquaponics Technician. He will oversee the production process, aquaponics system, and technician staff’s activities.
Bob has recruited a business management expert, Linda Flores, to be the company’s chief operating officer and help oversee aquaponics’s business operations. Linda will handle the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, vendor relationships, and logistics.
Bob and Linda have recruited an experienced marketing director, William Rivera, to become a member of the Growing Green Aquaponics management team. William is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Marketing. Bob and Linda rely on William’s expertise to execute the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.
Success Factors
Growing Green Aquaponics will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:
- Skilled team of aquaponics technicians and horticulture experts who will oversee the growing process and conduct inspections regularly to ensure all produce is of the highest quality.
- Growing Green Aquaponics makes it easy for customers to obtain the company’s products with multiple ways to shop. Businesses and consumers can purchase produce online, onsite, or at various local farmers markets. They can choose to have the produce shipped on a regular schedule, delivered on-demand, or picked up onsite. Additionally, customers can come to the farm and hand-pick their produce themselves.
- The company offers competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.
Download the aquaponics business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Financial Highlights
Growing Green Aquaponics is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its aquaponics business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the facility and purchasing aquaponics farm equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:
- Facility build-out: $340,000
- Aquaponics equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000
- Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
- Marketing costs: $10,000
- Working capital: $10,000
The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Growing Green Aquaponics.
Company Overview
Who is Growing Green Aquaponics?
Growing Green Aquaponics is a newly established aquaponics company in Salem, Oregon. Growing Green will be the first choice for local grocers, restaurants, and consumers in Salem and the surrounding communities for its fresh produce available all year round. The company will sell its crops to local B2B customers and D2C consumers on-site and at farmers markets.
Growing Green Aquaponics will be able to guarantee the freshness, quality, and availability of its produce all year round thanks to the latest and most innovative aquaponics technology and a stringent quality control process. The company’s team of highly qualified professionals experienced in aquaponics, horticulture, and agriculture will manage the completely vertically integrated indoor farm. Customers can get a first-hand look at how aquaponics works by taking an aquaponics tour, participating in the company’s farm-to-table events, and picking out fresh produce straight from the facility.
Growing Green Aquaponics History
Growing Green Aquaponics is owned and operated by Bob Hall, an experienced horticulturist who has gained valuable knowledge during his ten year tenure working as an aquaponics technician at another local aquaponics farm. Now that Bob has gained the experience and knowledge of how to manage an aquaponics farm, he is ready to start one of his own. Bob has begun recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day to day complexities of commercial aquaponics farming – sales and marketing, crop production, greenhouse management, fish farm management, budgeting, purchasing, financial reporting, system maintenance, and customer relations.
Since incorporation, Growing Green Aquaponics has achieved the following milestones:
- Registered Growing Green Aquaponics, LLC to transact business in the state of Oregon.
- Has begun negotiations to purchase the property.
- Reached out to numerous contacts to include local restaurants, grocers, and farmers markets to start getting vendor contracts.
- Began recruiting a staff of accountants, aquaponics technicians, maintenance workers, and sales personnel to work at Growing Green Aquaponics.
Growing Green Aquaponics Services
The following will be the crops Growing Green Aquaponics will grow and sell:
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Peppers
- Squash
- Eggplant
Industry Analysis
The global aquaponics industry was valued at an estimated $872.7M and is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% to reach $1,807.29M by the year 2028. North America is the leading region in market share due to its focus on advancements in aquaponics technology and a growing demand for organic food, followed by Asia and Europe. The Organic Trade Association reports an increase of 5.6% in organic fruit and vegetables sales in a single year in the United States. Aquaponics is an attractive option for health and environmentally-conscious consumers who are looking for sustainable organic foods free from pesticides and chemicals.
The aquaponics market is highly fragmented with a handful of major players and an expanding global market for emerging companies making up the rest of the market share. Industry operators can achieve a competitive advantage by selling high quality, in-demand produce, effective marketing campaigns, and keeping up with local food trends.
Download the aquaponics business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Customer Analysis
Demographic Profile of Target Market
Growing Green Aquaponics will target B2B customers in Salem such as local grocers, specialty food stores, and restaurants. The company will also target D2C customers including farmers market shoppers and customers who come directly to the farm to purchase produce. No matter the customer, Growing Green Aquaponics will deliver the best communication, service, and freshest produce.
The precise demographics for Salem, Oregon are:
| Total | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 117,270 | 100% |
| Male | 57,542 | 49.1% |
| Female | 59,728 | 50.9% |
| Under 5 years | 5,911 | 5.0% |
| 5 to 9 years | 8,077 | 6.9% |
| 10 to 14 years | 9,214 | 7.9% |
| 15 to 19 years | 8,730 | 7.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,279 | 5.4% |
| 25 to 34 years | 13,937 | 11.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 13,654 | 11.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 17,983 | 15.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8,546 | 7.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6,636 | 5.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 12,236 | 10.4% |
| 75 to 84 years | 4,463 | 3.8% |
| 85 years and over | 1,604 | 1.4% |
Customer Segmentation
Growing Green will primarily target the following customer profiles:
- Grocery stores
- Specialty food stores
- Restaurants
- Farmers market shoppers
- Individuals looking for fresh, clean, organic produce
Competitive Analysis
Direct and Indirect Competitors
Growing Green Aquaponics will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.
Healthy Grown Aquaponics
Healthy Grown Aquaponics is one of the largest commercial aquaponics farms in Salem, Oregon. The company grows a variety of crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, leafy greens, and eggplant. Healthy Grown Aquaponics sells its produce to local restaurants and grocery stores. Healthy Grown Aquaponics aims to deliver high quality organic produce grown through its innovative aquaponics process. The company uses a stringent inspection process to ensure all of its products are the best quality. Healthy Grown Aquaponics’s team of experienced aquaponics professionals inspect each crop weekly to ensure optimum quality.
Salem Aquaponics
Salem Aquaponics is a small aquaponics farm catering to local restaurants, grocers, and farmers markets in Salem, Oregon and surrounding areas. Salem Aquaponics provides fresh produce including tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and squash all year round. The company provides tours of the facility to local schools for a nominal fee. The owners of Salem Aquaponics are former restaurant managers and farm-to-table supporters so they understand how important it is to the community for restaurants to have fresh produce that is locally grown.
Sustain-Able Aquaponics
Sustain-Able Aquaponics is a trusted Salem, Oregon-based aquaponics farm that provides superior produce to consumers in Salem and the surrounding areas. The company is able to provide a wide variety of fruits and vegetables using its state-of-the-art aquaponics equipment. Sustain-Able Aquaponics serves local grocers, specialty stores, and individual consumers with guaranteed fresh produce all year round. The company prides itself on being the number one choice for sustainable produce and its contribution to the growing farm-to-table movement.
Download the aquaponics business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Competitive Advantage
Growing Green Aquaponics will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:
- Skilled team of aquaponics technicians and horticulture experts who will oversee the growing process and conduct inspections daily to ensure all produce is of the highest quality.
- Growing Green Aquaponics makes it easy for customers to obtain the company’s products with multiple ways to shop. Businesses and consumers can purchase produce online, onsite, or at various local farmers markets. They can choose to have the produce shipped on a regular schedule, delivered on-demand, or picked up onsite. Additionally, customers can come to the farm and hand-pick their produce themselves.
- The company offers competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.
Marketing Plan
Brand & Value Proposition
Growing Green Aquaponics will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:
- Growing Green Aquaponics provides flexibility in how customers can shop. Customers have the option to purchase produce online, onsite, or at various local farmers markets.
- The company offers competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.
Promotions Strategy
The promotions strategy for Growing Green Aquaponics is as follows:
Social Media Marketing
The company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. He will ensure Growing Green maintains an active social media presence with regular daily updates and fun content to get customers excited about aquaponics.
Professional Associations and Networking
Growing Green Aquaponics will become a member of professional associations such as the Aquaponics Association, American Fisheries Society, and the Oregon Aquaculture Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the company’s vendor network.
Print Advertising
Growing Green Aquaponics will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The company will also send direct mailers to local restaurants and grocery stores.
Website/SEO Marketing
Growing Green Aquaponics will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the company website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the produce that Growing Green is able to provide. The website will also list information on the company’s events and guided tours.
The marketing director will also manage Growing Green’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “Salem aquaponics farm” or “aquaponics farm near me”, Growing Green Aquaponics will be listed at the top of the search results.
Pricing
The pricing of Growing Green Aquaponics will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the company’s produce.
Operations Plan
The following will be the operations plan for Growing Green Aquaponics.
Operation Functions:
- Bob Hall will be the CEO and Lead Aquaponics Technician. He will oversee the aquaponics technicians, production process, and the aquaponics system maintenance. Bob has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
- Linda Flores – Chief Operating Officer who will manage the budgeting, vendor relationships, and logistics.
- Susan Smith – Staff Accountant/Bookkeeper will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
- William Rivera – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.
- Jessica Mitchell – Quality Control Manager who will oversee all inspections of products, equipment, and processes.
Download the aquaponics business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Milestones:
Growing Green Aquaponics will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.
9/1/2022 – Finalize contract to purchase property.
9/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Growing Green Aquaponics management team.
10/1/2022 – Begin build-out of the facility, purchase equipment, and start production.
10/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan.
11/15/2022 – Finalize contracts for initial grocery, farmers market, and restaurant vendors.
1/15/2022 – Growing Green Aquaponics officially opens its facility up to customers and starts shipping out online orders.
Management Team
Growing Green Aquaponics will be owned and operated by Bob Hall. Bob is a graduate of Oregon University with a degree in Horticulture. He has over ten years of experience working as an aquaponics technician for another local farm. Bob will be the company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Head Aquaponics Technician. He will oversee the production process, aquaponics system, and technician staff’s activities.
Bob has recruited a business management expert, Linda Flores, to be the company’s Chief Operating Officer and help oversee aquaponics’s business operations. Linda will handle the day-to-day operations, including budgeting, vendor relationships, and logistics.
Bob and Linda have recruited an experienced marketing director, William Rivera, to become a member of the Growing Green Aquaponics management team. William is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Master’s degree in Marketing. Bob and Linda rely on William’s expertise in the company’s marketing plan and advertising strategies.
Financial Plan
Key Revenue & Costs
The revenue drivers for Growing Green Aquaponics are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the company’s products. When it comes to pricing, the farm will monitor production costs, average prices charged by competitors, and product availability in the market to ensure its prices will generate a healthy profit margin.
The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff an aquaponics farm. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, greenhouse equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.
Funding Requirements and Use of Funds
Growing Green Aquaponics is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its aquaponics business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the facility and purchasing aquaponics farm equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:
- Facility build-out: $340,000
- Aquaponics equipment, supplies, and materials: $280,000
- Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $160,000
- Marketing costs: $10,000
- Working capital: $10,000
Download the aquaponics business plan template (including a customizable financial model) to your computer here <–
Key Assumptions
The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.
- Average pounds of produce sold per month: 9,000
- Average fees per month: $15,000
- Overhead costs per year: $640,000
Financial Projections
Income Statement
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | ||||||
| Total Revenues | $360,000 | $793,728 | $875,006 | $964,606 | $1,063,382 | |
| Expenses & Costs | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $64,800 | $142,871 | $157,501 | $173,629 | $191,409 | |
| Lease | $50,000 | $51,250 | $52,531 | $53,845 | $55,191 | |
| Marketing | $10,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | |
| Salaries | $157,015 | $214,030 | $235,968 | $247,766 | $260,155 | |
| Initial expenditure | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Total Expenses & Costs | $291,815 | $416,151 | $454,000 | $483,240 | $514,754 | |
| EBITDA | $68,185 | $377,577 | $421,005 | $481,366 | $548,628 | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | |
| EBIT | $41,025 | $350,417 | $393,845 | $454,206 | $521,468 | |
| Interest | $23,462 | $20,529 | $17,596 | $14,664 | $11,731 | |
| PRETAX INCOME | $17,563 | $329,888 | $376,249 | $439,543 | $509,737 | |
| Net Operating Loss | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Use of Net Operating Loss | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Taxable Income | $17,563 | $329,888 | $376,249 | $439,543 | $509,737 | |
| Income Tax Expense | $6,147 | $115,461 | $131,687 | $153,840 | $178,408 | |
| NET INCOME | $11,416 | $214,427 | $244,562 | $285,703 | $331,329 |
Balance Sheet
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | $1,149,286 | |
| Accounts receivable | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Inventory | $30,000 | $33,072 | $36,459 | $40,192 | $44,308 | |
| Total Current Assets | $184,257 | $381,832 | $609,654 | $878,742 | $1,193,594 | |
| Fixed assets | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | $180,950 | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $54,320 | $81,480 | $108,640 | $135,800 | |
| Net fixed assets | $153,790 | $126,630 | $99,470 | $72,310 | $45,150 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $338,047 | $508,462 | $709,124 | $951,052 | $1,238,744 | |
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | ||||||
| Debt | $315,831 | $270,713 | $225,594 | $180,475 | $135,356 | |
| Accounts payable | $10,800 | $11,906 | $13,125 | $14,469 | $15,951 | |
| Total Liability | $326,631 | $282,618 | $238,719 | $194,944 | $151,307 | |
| Share Capital | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Retained earnings | $11,416 | $225,843 | $470,405 | $756,108 | $1,087,437 | |
| Total Equity | $11,416 | $225,843 | $470,405 | $756,108 | $1,087,437 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $338,047 | $508,462 | $709,124 | $951,052 | $1,238,744 |
Cash Flow Statement
| FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS | ||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $11,416 | $214,427 | $244,562 | $285,703 | $331,329 | |
| Change in working capital | ($19,200) | ($1,966) | ($2,167) | ($2,389) | ($2,634) | |
| Depreciation | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | $27,160 | |
| Net Cash Flow from Operations | $19,376 | $239,621 | $269,554 | $310,473 | $355,855 | |
| CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS | ||||||
| Investment | ($180,950) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Net Cash Flow from Investments | ($180,950) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING | ||||||
| Cash from equity | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Cash from debt | $315,831 | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | |
| Net Cash Flow from Financing | $315,831 | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | ($45,119) | |
| Net Cash Flow | $154,257 | $194,502 | $224,436 | $265,355 | $310,736 | |
| Cash at Beginning of Period | $0 | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | |
| Cash at End of Period | $154,257 | $348,760 | $573,195 | $838,550 | $1,149,286 |
Aquaponics Business Plan FAQs
What Is an Aquaponics Business Plan?
An aquaponics business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your aquaponics business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.
You can easily complete your aquaponics business plan using our Aquaponics Business Plan Template here.
What are the Main Types of Aquaponics Businesses?
There are a number of different kinds of aquaponics businesses, some examples include: Retail and Farm.
How Do You Get Funding for Your Aquaponics Farm Business Plan?
Aquaponics businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding. This is true for an aquaponics farming business plan and a commercial aquaponics business plan.
What are the Steps To Start an Aquaponics Business?
Starting an aquaponics business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.
1. Develop An Aquaponics Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed aquaponics farm business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.
2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your aquaponics business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your aquaponics business is in compliance with local laws.
3. Register Your Aquaponics Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your aquaponics business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.
4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your aquaponics business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.
5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.
6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.
7. Acquire Necessary Aquaponics Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your aquaponics business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.
8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your aquaponics business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.