Aspire has “signed a term sheet” and is “working to close our financing at the end of the month,” says CEO David Rosenberg. “Demand still remains strong, but we have to scale up and produce consistently.”
The startup aims to be fully scaled up at a 108,000sq ft facility next year, with production capacity of 3,500t of dry black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) protein and 9,000t of frass.
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 agrifood corporates will support TAP in training Canadian agronomists on soil health and other regenerative agriculture practices.
If traditional pesticides are blunt instruments for killing pests, RNAi (RNA interference) is the polar opposite, says Dr. John Husnik, CEO at Vancouver-based Renaissance Bioscience. “It’s exceptionally precise.”
Dumped Chinese pea protein was “main reason our operation became non-viable,” says ex-CEO at Merit Functional Foods as Canada launches probe.
The Maia Farms & Ecoation growing system for mycelium and fresh produce can make 700kg of food a year in a device the size of a wardrobe.
Funding in Novel Farming Systems—an AgFunder category spanning indoor farming, insect ag, aquaculture, and algae production—fell off a cliff last year.
4AG has developed an autonomous harvesting robot it says can greatly alleviate labor challenges in the mushroom industry.
Current policies in Canada around no-till farming and soil health disregard contributions of the early adopters for being early adopters.
Could dormant genes in staple crops such as rice be reactivated so they can grow in salty land, or even directly in the ocean?
There is still no news regarding a buyer for the assets of plant protein co Merit Functional Foods, more than 5 months after it went into receivership.
While many alt meat startups are struggling to raise cash, plant-based seafood brand Konscious Foods has just raised a cool $26m.
Canadian startup Terra Bioindustries extracts fermentable sugars and protein concentrates from brewers’ spent grains.
Plant protein tech company Burcon NutraScience is still “actively seeking partnerships” to acquire the assets of distressed plant protein processor Merit Functional Foods, which went into receivership on March 1.
The deal will create an agricultural giant and likely face regulatory scrutiny in certain countries including Argentina and Canada.
Stay up to date with the latest people moves for the agrifood industry.
Microbes have been the workhorses of recombinant protein production for years. But could the humble fruit fly give them a run for their money? asks Canadian startup Future Fields.
Chinova Bioworks, a Canadian startup producing natural preservatives and fining agents from upcycled mushroom stalks, is expanding its capacity four-fold this year to fuel international expansion and meet demand in fast-growing markets such as non-alcoholic beer.
Pennsylvania-based Four Growers just released its second-generation automatic harvester for greenhouse-grown tomatoes.
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