Plenty of commentators—and jaundiced investors—may query the economics of insect agriculture given the struggles of some high-profile players. But what about the touted environmental benefits? Is it a given that it is more sustainable to feed animals insect protein than, say, corn or soybean meal?
The tiny larvae are put in a state of suspended animation for up to 10 days without refrigeration, enabling insect protein producers to focus on rearing and processing.
Water was the theme of the latest Foodshot Global challenge, and more specifically, how tech can help protect water as a resource for food and agriculture.
Industrial-scale insect farming is not for the faint-hearted. So what business models make sense, and who is going to fund the next wave of facilities?
Funding into Australian agrifoodtech startups fell 33% last year according to AgFunder data… But it could have been worse: global agrifoodtech funding fell 49% over the same period.
“In the first six years, we had more failures than successes,” says insect ag pioneer Kees Aarts.
Insect breeding and rearing/processing require very different skillsets, claims FreezeM, which supplies insect farmers with neonates in a state of ‘suspended animation.’
Funding in Novel Farming Systems—an AgFunder category spanning indoor farming, insect ag, aquaculture, and algae production—fell off a cliff last year.
Plus, sugar refiner Nordzucker will invest more than $100 million into plant-based proteins.
Entobel says it will demonstrate that “it’s possible to produce industrial volumes of insect protein at a competitive cost… and we expect this factory will be profitable early next year.”
Instead of using black soldier flies for feed and fertilizer, Singapore-based Insectta hopes to expand their applications to everything from personal wellness and pharmaceuticals to organic electronics.
The companies will provide expertise, equipment and services for converting organic waste into BSF larvae used for protein in animal feed.
Plus, CPG product-testing startup Highlight raises $18 million and Jimi Biotech debuts cultivated deer antler.
Nexus PMG has raised a $50 million growth equity round to expand its infrastructure advisory business to investors and developers creating projects that convert waste into everything from fuel to animal feed.
Investment in agrifoodtech will be key to the stable, sustainable and prosperous development of Africa, says Saron Berhane.
From insects to indoor greens, Australian startups demonstrate the potential for novel farming systems at home and abroad.
Several biomaterials startups made headlines with fundraises, partnerships and other developments for leather, wood and oil alternatives.
Through a novel patent-pending process, ARC Ento Tech is turning waste into animal feeds, fertilizers and a reductant that could replace coking coal.
If crickets—which pack an attractive nutritional punch with a low environmental impact—are going to gain traction in the alternative protein market, two things must happen, says Aspire Food Group. Costs must come down and supplies of consistent, high-quality raw material must go up.
Armed with cash from a Kickstarter campaign and a fervent belief that edible insects were the next big thing for human and planetary health, Pat Crowley introduced many Americans to the concept of eating bugs back in 2012 via Chapul cricket bars.
