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.
Producing high-value proteins from genetically engineered black soldier flies is cheaper and more scalable than expressing them in engineered microbes via precision fermentation, claims Chilean startup ByBug.
ReFED’s Dana Gunders discusses why interest in food waste solutions from US businesses, investors and consumers remains high.
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.’
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 in Novel Farming Systems—an AgFunder category spanning indoor farming, insect ag, aquaculture, and algae production—fell off a cliff last year.
Technology that eliminates the earthy color, flavor and aroma of crickets could unlock new opportunities in human food markets, claims US-based startup Hoppy Planet Foods.
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.”
Tyson will take a minority stake in Protix and fund further expansion of the latter’s insect protein business for animal feed and pet food.
The novel farming systems category has raised $826 million so far in 2023, according to preliminary data from AgFunder.
The companies will provide expertise, equipment and services for converting organic waste into BSF larvae used for protein in animal feed.
Each month, AgFunder News publishes a column of the agrifood industry’s biggest leadership changes, layoffs and more.
Ÿnsect COO Shankar Krishnamoorthy will assume the role of CEO; founder Antoine Hubert will pivot to focus on science, IP and strategy.
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.
From insects to indoor greens, Australian startups demonstrate the potential for novel farming systems at home and abroad.
If you’re farming edible insects for protein, scale is the name of the game, says Singapore-based startup Insectta. But if you’re mining bugs for higher-value functional ingredients, even a tiny startup can potentially compete on the global stage with the right technology.
French startup Ÿnsect has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korean food company LOTTE to explore human food applications for edible insects.
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