Better Origin - the startup that's fixing the food chain
by Startacus Admin
The lowdown on Better Origin, the startup that's creating the ‘Internet of Insects’; a global network converting excess nutrients into essential nutrients...
We have all heard that the world’s need for food will increase significantly in a fairly short time, and that this will be one of the biggest challenges we face as a species. That need will require food supply to grow by about 70% over the next 30 years, and yet one third of all food produced every year is wasted.
Even if this were not the case, our current food production system, by many estimations, cannot cope with this required increase. Which is where that other thing we’ve probably all heard about comes in: insects as a food source. Yes, the idea of a mouthful of fly wing and spider legs isn’t pleasant, but what about if the insects were being used to feed our livestock? For now.
Cambridge-based foodtech startup Better Origin has a solution to fix our food production system and make us ready for this huge increase in demand using insects.
Their goal is to establish what they call the ‘Internet of Insects’ - a global network converting excess nutrients into essential nutrients. They say that the Internet of Insects will ‘bring about a new symbiosis between nature and technology to transform livestock productivity and welfare, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve food security’.
Better Origin is aiming for a network of decentralised, fully-automated, AI-powered insect farms, in the form of their X1 units, which are essentially shipping containers converted into mini insect farms. The X1 converts waste biomass, such as excess feedstock or food waste into insect biomass, which is rich in proteins (up to five tonnes per year) and fats. This can be used to produce any animal feed.
Because it is converting this waste, it means that landfills aren’t needed, not only reducing emissions from those but also reducing emissions from transportation of the waste. And because protein is being created on-site, it also means less deforestation for soya farming and the transportation of that.
In October, the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) delivered a £10m funding package to a consortium including Better Origin. The startup will use their share to scale insect processing and their value-extraction technology to convert insects into animal feed and human food.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
.png)
Sodexo Live! and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural North America Innovation Lab.
.png)
Startups founded by students and recent graduates from the University of Edinburgh secure SMART:SCOTLAND grants to help support their ambitious and innovative projects.
Lydia Kothmeier, VP of Operations at Storyblok shares insights on the processes and policies that every startup should have in place in order to make remote working work.
The lowdown on HoloToyz, the Irish startup and its products for kids that can come to life through the power of augmented reality.
Inbound Investors 2022 providing NI businesses with the opportunity to pitch directly to leading UK investors over the course of one day.
Enterprise CMS Storyblok launches Storyblok V2 in a bid to further empower teams to create and scale standout audience experiences.
The lowdown on Nothing, the London-based startup that's creating innovative connected products "to make tech fun again."
The lowdown on Athos, the Spanish startup that has created a customized climbing shoe that's been made with 3D printing technology.
Edinburgh-based startup Swurf connects remote workers with welcoming spaces to work in since "you don’t need an office to do your best work!"
.jpg)
Kickstart catapults innovation with 43 high growth startups selected for the 2022 core program from 16 countries this year, including two from the UK.
Published on: 26th October 2020
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Sodexo Live! And L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for first ever North America Innovation Lab 5th Aug 2022 Sodexo Live! and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural North America Innovation Lab.
- Innovative University-supported startups secure £500,000 in grant funding awards 4th Aug 2022 Startups founded by students and recent graduates from the University of Edinburgh secure SMART:SCOTLAND grants to help support their ambitious and innovative projects.
- Registrations Open for Inbound Investors 2022 2nd Aug 2022 Inbound Investors 2022 providing NI businesses with the opportunity to pitch directly to leading UK investors over the course of one day.
- Storyblok Launches New CMS Experience to Shape the Future of Digital Storytelling 1st Aug 2022 Enterprise CMS Storyblok launches Storyblok V2 in a bid to further empower teams to create and scale standout audience experiences.
