At an early age, Aziz saw first-hand how climate change is affecting feed agriculture—food grown for livestock and poultry—and knew from then that he wanted to do something about it.
Today, he relies on the skills he learned while studying at business school and the subsequent support he received at Station F—the world's biggest startup campus based in France—in his life as an entrepreneur. He holds the role while also working as head of Research and Engagement at the Centre for Net Positive Business at EDHEC Business School in France, where he graduated in 2018.
Here, Aziz shares insight into his startup journey and how he taps into knowledge acquired during his MSc in Finance—knowledge that, at the time, he didn’t realize would come in so useful in the real world.
Tell us what Dooda does?
Dooda transforms insects into animal feed that is rich in protein and nutrients but gentle on the planet and local resources. We sell high-quality feed to International customers and are looking to expand in the UK. Our production hub is in Tunisia, which means we hire local people, which in turn impacts the local community and economy.
What inspired you to launch the company?
I grew up in Tunisia, where my father was in the dairy industry and I was seeing the impact of climate change on the local feed agriculture, which was affecting the amount and quality of milk available. I decided early in my career that I wanted to create a business to act on limiting climate change and secure new, sustainable food sources for humans and animals.
What part did your b-school experience play in developing your idea?
The foundations were laid during my initial MSc in Finance at EDHEC. During the degree program, I learned a lot about how businesses operate and how best to manage them. I rely on the knowledge and skills I learned in business school to run Dooda on a daily basis.
You can sit in class and say to yourself, Why do I need to know this? But my advice would be to pay close attention because you never know when you will be thrown into a situation where you will need to recall a lesson in finance, marketing, or strategy.
In fact, my journey with EDHEC has been a long one. I started with the MSc program and then moved on to EDHEC Entrepreneurs at Station F in Paris, the largest startup campus in the world. I would say that EDHEC has been an important piece of my startup journey.
What was your biggest takeaway from business school?
Probably the biggest gift of my business education is just understanding how a business works. But I also learned a lot about public speaking and telling a good story at EDHEC and during my time with EDHEC Entrepreneurs.
Tell us about a typical day at Dooda…
There is no typical day. Managing unexpected problems is probably my typical day. But the problems that I solve change every day, so they’re always surprising, and I’m always trying to do my best without necessarily being an expert in the problem I am trying to solve.
If you enjoy constant challenge, entrepreneurship is probably the right place for you.
How has your b-school network helped you on your startup journey?
EDHEC Entrepreneurs helped me connect with many different types of people—from professors to investors to attorneys and bankers. The mentors I met at Station F willingly gave me many tips and hacks; that’s why they are there, to give back.
Going to business school is also helpful in entrepreneurship because you can access a network of people who understand business and the risks involved. These people are often interested in investing in startups and in helping classmates connect with high-level corporate professionals who can provide advice and introductions. The b-school network is precious. Don’t let it go to waste!
What obstacles have you had to overcome so far?
For Dooda, the biggest hurdle has been complying with very complex food regulations for very new products. There’s no way around the rules. My advice would be to anticipate and plan for these hurdles in your business plan and to practice patience.
Have you had any surprises?
Some insects can digest plastic! There is real potential for recycling behind that!
You already employ 10 people, where would you like to be in five years’ time?
Given the current geopolitical situation, it isn’t easy to project this far out. Nevertheless, we would like to be among the top 10 suppliers in alternative proteins for feed based on insects in the B2B market.
What advice would you give to fellow b-school students going into business?
Be passionate, as this is not a matter of just a few days but rather a longer-term commitment. Don't get lured by the success stories of founders’ multimillion-dollar exits; instead, make sure you are driven by the impact you can make. Enjoy the ride—in my opinion, it’s as important as the result (if not more)!
Be honest with yourself and your partners about the length of time you are willing to commit to a startup launch. Be clear about how much financial, mental, and emotional investment you are willing to give for your project to succeed.
Don’t overthink it—just do it! The more often you fail in your startup journey, the more quickly you will arrive at the finish line.
