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Global hunger is on the rise, with over 750 million people undernourished in 2023–an increase of 150 million since 2019. As traditional farming struggles to keep pace, BugBox, an Estonian deep-tech startup, is addressing this challenge by industrialising insect farming. This company aims to provide sustainable protein sources to meet the growing demand.
BugBox is not merely providing an “alternative” protein source. Instead, it is spearheading a profound transformation in food production. Harnessing insects’ overlooked potential, BugBox has developed an industrial, scalable, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable model that outperforms traditional livestock farming in efficiency and impact.
CEO Erlend Sild’s experiences during his travels across Asia and Africa sparked the vision for BugBox. He observed firsthand how many communities lack access to high-nutrition food. “Animal protein is a luxury in many regions, often beyond reach. It’s not just about hunger; people are missing essential nutrients,” Sild explains.
Recognising the potential of insect protein, already a staple in these cultures, Sild teamed up with Professor Heikki Roininen, a leading entomologist, to establish BugBox. “Insect farming is game-changing! We can produce protein and tackle global food insecurity using significantly fewer resources while reducing the environmental footprint compared to traditional livestock farming,” asserts Sild.
The automation-driven efficiency in BugBox’s insect farming
At the heart of BugBox’s innovation is its highly automated, AI-powered insect-rearing technology. This sophisticated system meticulously monitors environmental conditions and insect growth rates, ensuring stable, high-quality production at lower costs. “Our technology tracks everything, from environmental factors to the insects’ growth metrics, guaranteeing consistent, high-quality output,” Sild shares.
The automation extends beyond the rearing process to the processing stage. For example, with house crickets, BugBox has optimised the entire procedure after a 30-day growth cycle, reducing harvesting, cleaning, drying, and reloading each unit to under 20 minutes. This efficiency minimises downtime and maximises productivity, thanks partly to the expertise of Karmo Kapstas, another company founder. Additionally, BugBox enhances its operations continuously by leveraging critical data-driven insights from its rearing environments, further boosting efficiency.
The result is a protein powder with an impressive 70% protein content, making it one of the most nutrient-dense sources available. This animal protein can seamlessly incorporate everyday products like energy bars, pasta, and pet food. With just a small percentage, typically 2% to 5%, the nutritional value of these foods is boosted without altering their taste. “Incorporating insect protein provides a rich source of nutrition without requiring significant changes to existing products. It’s a sustainable solution that fits seamlessly into most diets,” says Sild.
Estonia’s role in BugBox’s journey
BugBox’s success is closely tied to Estonia’s dynamic digital ecosystem. It gained access to top-tier developers, a culture of innovation, and a supportive network that only a few other countries can match. Sild emphasises Estonia’s legacy of technological advancement. He highlights early successes like Skype as foundational examples that encourage new companies to push the boundaries of innovation.
“The mindset here in Estonia is one of constant innovation,” Sild notes. This entrepreneurial spirit fosters collaboration and creative problem-solving, making it an ideal environment for deep tech ventures like BugBox. Likewise, the abundance of highly experienced developers and engineers is crucial in transforming innovative ideas into reality.
Additionally, Sild acknowledges the significant support from government agencies such as Enterprise Estonia (EIS, formerly known as EAS). “EIS has been instrumental in guiding us through various stages of development and helping us steer the complexities of scaling our operations,” he says. “When challenges arise, it’s reassuring to receive a call from someone at EIS asking how they can assist you,” he adds with a smile.
Leading the charge for sustainable, scalable nutrition solutions
BugBox’s journey has been marked by significant milestones but has not been without challenges. From the outset, the company faced regulatory hurdles that would shape its path. In Europe, insect protein only became approved for human consumption in 2021 after years of rigorous testing and compliance with stringent food safety standards. “We were ahead of the market when we started in 2015,” reflects Sild. “Back then, regulations only permitted insect protein for pet food, which made our mission more complex.”
To overcome these challenges, BugBox embraced a philosophy of extensive prototyping and meticulous testing. Each iteration provided invaluable insights, allowing the team to refine their processes and enhance efficiency. “Deep tech solutions require a solid foundation of research and testing,” Sild points out. “We’ve learned from every trial, ensuring our methods are effective and scalable. Moreover, customer feedback has been critical. Without it, we risk developing products that don’t meet market needs,” he highlights.
Looking forward, BugBox is poised to scale its operations significantly. Over the following years, the company plans to scale pilot factories designed to test and optimise their systems on an industrial scale and finally start franchising their solution. These franchised factories will showcase how insect farming can meet global protein demands sustainably and competitively. Sild expresses optimism for the future: “It’s been a gradual process, but we believe we’re nearing a pivotal moment where things will take off and we can deliver our solution to many clients. This long journey has been worth every step.”
