Did you know that one-third of caught fish is used to process into animal fodder? According to Protix, a biotech-startup founded in 2009, that’s a huge waste. Insects – actually, larvae, could serve as a great protein alternative. Today, the company announced it closed a whopping €45M funding round, led by Aqua-Spark, the first investment company focused on sustainable aquaculture. Dutch bank Rabobank, regional investment fund BOM and various private investors participated in the round.
Low-impact protein
Protix breeds insect larvae for animal feed, as they offer a low-impact protein alternative that can be cultivated on a variety of food scraps. According to the biotech-startup, “this is of the utmost importance as global populations continue to grow and the demand for meat, fish and dairy surges. Food production is increasingly under pressure, with added challenges of deforestation and overfishing.”