Meet INSEACT, the Startup Using the Black Soldier Fly to Address the World’s Growing Protein Demand

In Episode 156 of the Disruptors for Good podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Michael Badeski, Co-founder of INSEACT, on the black soldier fly and the mission to provide sustainable and healthy food sources for the world through innovative technologies.

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Michael is a former engineer consultant at a global top 10 engineering firm where he designed industrial facilities such as algae production factories.

He has also scaled a venture-backed B2B startup and serves as advisor for a VC firm’s portfolio companies.

As INSEACT’s COO, Michael is in charge of operations and insect protein production. Michael holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from McGill University and an MBA from INSEAD.

The founders met at INSEAD MBA, have a background in food entrepreneurship and industrial scale-up, and previously worked at the European market leader in insect protein.

About INSEACT

Almost all seafood is farmed, and almost all farmed seafood uses wild-caught fish as the protein component of feed.

INSEACT changes this by replacing fish protein with insect protein. INSEACT grows black soldier fly larvae fed with waste from the palm oil industry that was otherwise destined for landfill.

INSEACT’s unique protein application in shrimp aquaculture performs more profitably than traditional feed options.

This improved performance allows INSEACT to achieve impact at scale, with a focus in Asia. The high-performance protein product INSEACT offers diverts agri-waste back from landfill back into the foodstream to close the circular economy loop.

The INSEAD mission is to provide sustainable and healthy food sources for the world through innovative technologies.

What are black soldier fly larvae?

Black soldier fly larvae are the maggots of a common fly that is found in many tropical and subtropical regions across the world.

The adult flies are harmless to humans, but the larvae are used as a food source for animals and as a natural composting agent.

When the larvae are fed to animals, they help to improve the digestibility of the food and also provide a good source of protein.

When used as a composting agent, black soldier fly larvae help to break down organic matter quickly.

What are the benefits of using black soldier fly larvae?

There are many benefits to using black soldier fly larvae. They are a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of protein for animals, they help to improve the digestibility of food, and they can be used as a natural composting agent.

Black soldier fly larvae are also highly nutritious, containing high levels of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.