Entocycle raise a further $2.6m as new insect rearing facility opens in Yorkshire
Entoexplore is a containerised insect farm based at the National Pig Centre, UK. Photograph: Entocycle.
18 July 2024
Thursday 18th July – As a new insect facility built by Entocycle opens at the University of Leeds Research Farm, the company today announced raising an additional $2.6 million to finance further expansion plans in Europe and beyond.
The new funding follows the company’s $5.4 million Series A round in January 2023 and has attracted investment from Blue Ledge Capital, Startup Basecamp and Armajaro Holdings Limited alongside existing investors Climentum, Teampact and TVC.
In parallel, a new R&D insect farm developed by insect technology company Entocycle for The University of Leeds has officially opened in Yorkshire.
Over 40 stakeholders from industry and academia met at the National Pig Centre on Wednesday, July 3rd, as Dr Gesa Reiss, Innovation Fellow at the University, unveiled the cutting-edge facility.
Funded by the UK’s national funding agency, UKRI-BBSRC, the containerised unit will support the University’s current research on insect industry health and safety protocols, on-farm integration of energy and bioconversion technology, and insect welfare using black soldier fly.
Delegates were given a walk-in tour of the facility to learn more about the processes involved in rearing black soldier fly and the features, technology and mechanisms available to operators. They also learned more about the important research projects already underway that utilise the facility, such as the InSafe and DELIVER programmes.
The unit currently uses non-permissible pig slurry as feedstock for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Photograph: Entocycle
InSafe (Securing the Future of the UK Insect Farming Industry) seeks to develop the protocols and standards for insect farming in the UK and explore the use of non-permissive feedstocks such as livestock manure and slurry to rear insects, while the DELIVER project explores how insect farming could be integrated with other technologies, including anaerobic digesters and renewable energy to create new income streams and attractive commercial opportunities for UK farmers.
“There is growing excitement about the insect farming industry as it requires significantly less resources, such as land and water, compared to the production of traditional livestock feed ingredients”, said Dr Gesa Reiss. “The installation of this new, cutting-edge prototype will help us explore the role of insect farming in sustainable food systems.”
“It’s a really exciting time for our company; we’re delighted to be working with forward-thinking institutions like The University of Leeds and delivering real-world engineering projects such as this at the National Pig Centre”, said Keiran Whitaker, Founder and CEO of Entocycle. “We’re also extremely proud to have our new investors join us and our existing family of investors on this journey as we take strides in our mission to accelerate sustainable protein using the power of insects and technology”.
Stefan Maard, General Partner at Climentum, added, “BSF farming will play a significant role in the processing of organic waste in the near future, and we expect to see industrial-scale insect farms deployed at attractive locations across Europe and North America in the coming years. With its technology and experience, Entocycle is uniquely positioned to provide a large part of the technological stack for each of these mega-farms.”
“I am incredibly enthusiastic about the future of Entocycle, and our investment was an easy decision to make”, said Andy Roche, Founder and CIO at Blue Ledge Capital. “With its cutting-edge technology and smart strategic partnerships, Entocycle is well-poised to lead the way in sustainable solutions for waste management and animal feed."
About Entocycle
Entocycle is a world-leading provider of insect farming technology. For ten years, the company has built an unrivalled reputation in the insect industry through the delivery of cutting-edge technology, solutions, and services to customers worldwide – all powered by a mission to create a more sustainable global food system. An expert team of entomologists, engineers, and industry advisors, Entocycle’s track record includes the successful delivery of complex insect engineering projects for leading insect companies, research institutions, and ambitious entrepreneurs.
More information
leeds.ac.uk/global-food-environment-institute
Media contact
Jude Bliss, Marketing Director
E-mail: media@entocycle.com
