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.
You started VETR.com to change how people take care of their pets. What inspired you to launch it, and what makes it different from other pet care platforms?
The idea for VETR.com came from the intersection of two parts of my life: my background in biotech and my personal experience as a pet owner. I’ve worked in drug manufacturing for years—we’re a licensed pharmaceutical compounder, so I’ve seen firsthand how much medications really cost versus what people pay. It’s shocking how often drugs that cost pennies are sold for hundreds of dollars. That disconnect made me think: why can’t we do this differently?
Then, on a personal level, I’ve faced what a lot of pet owners go through. I lost an 11-year-old Great Dane while on vacation—he got sick at a boarding facility and had to be rushed to urgent care. We couldn’t get him into a regular vet fast enough, and we ended up spending thousands of dollars just to prolong things by a day or two. We even had to say goodbye to him over Zoom. That experience stuck with me. It was heartbreaking, and I realized there had to be a better way to access urgent, affordable care.
VETR is different because we’re not just a marketplace or a telehealth platform—we’re the pharmacy too. We manufacture and ship medications directly to customers. By cutting out the middlemen, we lower costs significantly. And we provide same-day shipping, with a goal of next-day delivery nationwide. We’re building something that offers convenience, savings, and most importantly—compassion—for pet owners.
Many people struggle to get fast, affordable care for their pets. How does VETR.com solve that problem for everyday pet owners?
That’s exactly the problem we set out to solve. Vet appointments often take weeks to book, and when you think something’s urgent, you’re told to go to pet urgent care—which can easily run you a few thousand dollars. Not everyone can afford that. Sometimes you’re forced to choose between your pet’s health and your rent. That shouldn’t be the case.
VETR gives people access to licensed veterinarians virtually—via phone or laptop—which removes wait times and makes care much more accessible. On the backend, we manufacture many of our own drugs, especially over-the-counter essentials like dewormers and antiparasitics, which are crucial for shelters and pet owners alike. Since we’re the source, we can pass those savings on.
Orders placed before 2 p.m. ship out the same day, and we’re actively building distribution hubs—one likely in Memphis or Louisville—to get everyone in the U.S. next-day delivery. We’re also adding a plugin and affiliate program so shelters, breeders, and trainers can sell directly from their websites or social media, and earn a commission, making it a community-driven model.
You’ve launched multiple businesses. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about building something from the ground up?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is: launch before you’re ready. I used to get caught up in perfectionism. In the tech world, especially, people delay launching for months or years trying to get the perfect version out. I’ve learned it’s far better to launch an imperfect product—what we call an MVP, or minimum viable product—and improve it as you go. It gets real-world feedback faster and forces you to evolve. It’s how I’ve built trading platforms, e-commerce brands, biotech firms—you move fast and you iterate.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of relationships. A lot of the opportunities I’ve had came from my network—especially lawyer friends who work on the corporate side. Sometimes, I find opportunities because someone’s looking to sell, split up, or raise capital, and they come to me. That kind of access only comes if you’re constantly building and nurturing real connections.
Looking back, what’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Never get too comfortable. In my early 20s, I sold a trading platform for a lot of money, and I thought I could take a break. I became a dad, I slowed down, and honestly—I got left behind for a while. The industry kept evolving, and I had to spend another year or two just catching up.
I’d also tell myself that every failure is a signal—it’s feedback from the universe. Don’t dwell on it. Use it. Weaponize your failures. When something doesn’t work out, it’s a sign you need to level up. Whether it’s heartbreak, business loss, or a missed opportunity, you can use that pain as fuel to get sharper, faster, and stronger.
When you come up with a new idea, how do you go about bringing it to life?
It always starts with data. I look for gaps—where demand is high, but no one’s meeting it well. That’s how we decided to build our WooCommerce plugin for breeders, shelters, and humane societies. There was no simple way for them to sell pet health products online directly. Now, they can just plug it into their website and start generating income.
We also listen. We’re in constant communication with industry people—vets, breeders, rescue workers. Their frustrations often become our next roadmap. For example, we’re launching a marketplace where breeders can list puppies with full transparency, including genetic data. That idea came from talking to people in the space and hearing what was missing.
Once we have the idea, I act fast. I overcommit, push the team, and build before it feels comfortable. That’s always been the secret sauce.
What’s your vision for the future of pet care? Where do you see VETR.com in the next 2–3 years?
Our vision is a fully connected pet health ecosystem. Right now, we’re focused on over-the-counter medications and virtual vet care, but the plan is much bigger. We’re expanding into prescriptions, with two generic drug applications already in the works. If approved, those drugs would be the first of their kind in their class, and we plan to cut the cost by 60% or more. That’s game-changing.
We’re also building tools that go beyond medication. Our roadmap includes a national map that shows parasite outbreaks, a platform for breeders to connect with families safely, and a marketplace where groomers, walkers, and pet sitters can offer their services. And yes, we’re lobbying to update outdated laws that prevent telehealth for pets—those rules need to catch up to where human healthcare is.
In 2–3 years, I see VETR as the go-to platform for pet owners, shelters, and veterinary professionals. Fast care, affordable meds, community-driven tools, and nationwide reach. We’re building the infrastructure now to make that future happen.