đź’©$22M Solving a Very Stinky Problem

It’s gross, it’s simple, and somehow it pulls in millions.

I thought this business had to be a joke when I first heard it…

But the more I looked into it, the more genius it actually seemed.

You’ve probably seen it before, dog poop left behind in an apartment complex or HOA.

Most people roll their eyes and move on, but when it happens multiple times a day, it becomes a real problem for property managers.

dog poop pick up sign

Turns out, there’s an entire business built to solve that exact issue…
Using dog DNA.

And somehow… it’s making over $20 million a year.

Enter: PooPrints  - the company using DNA testing to track down which dog owner didn’t pick up their dogs poop.

pooprints website screenshot

🧬 How It Works

how pooprints process works graphic
  1. Every dog in the building gets a quick cheek swab.

  2. When poop is left behind, staff collect a small sample.

  3. PooPrints matches it to the dog’s DNA on file.

  4. The owner gets fined — usually $200 to $500.

It’s like CSI… but for poop.

đź§ľ Real Numbers

pooprints business numbers
  • 1 million+ dogs in their registry

  • 8,000+ buildings and HOAs use it

  • ~$22 million in annual revenue

  • Reported 90%+ drop in poop problems after implementation

đź’ˇ Idea Brainstorm

I couldn’t believe this was a real business… but it got my wheels turning.

What else could you do off this same idea?

  • Start a full service “clean property” enforcement service: dog DNA tracking + valet trash + trash can and pet waste station installs — charge apartments or HOAs a monthly fee for the full setup and enforcement

  • Use AI security cameras to automatically detect when someone’s dog poops and doesn’t get picked up - no DNA needed, just visual proof

  • Start a full service "pet rules enforcement" business: handle noise, damage to property, DNA swabbing, waste sample collection, and send monthly violation reports to building managers

This was a wild idea on the surface, but clearly one with a real problem and actual money behind it. Goes to show that if you find a niche problem that nobody else is going after you can win in that market.

Hope you all enjoyed this one. Have a great Friday!

-Tim