The Protein Dilemma: Feeding a Growing World
The global demand for protein is rising rapidly, and by 2050, the world’s population is projected to reach 9.8 billion—adding 2 billion more mouths to feed. Africa, a region already struggling with food production and logistical challenges, will bear much of this population growth. Traditional protein sources—whether animal or plant-based—come with substantial environmental and economic costs. The challenge is clear: how do we produce enough high-quality, affordable protein to feed billions, without exhausting our planet’s resources or widening the food security gap?
Insect Protein: A Market-Ready Solution
While alternative proteins like lab-grown meats, plant-based solutions, and algae-based products are gaining attention, insect protein offers immediate scalability and environmental impact. Insect protein’s fundamental economics, combined with its efficient production, position it as a viable, scalable solution. With a far lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than livestock, insect farming can reduce production costs and resource consumption, making it attractive to both investors and large-scale producers.
Tapping Into a $100B+ Opportunity
The alternative protein market is expected to surpass $100 billion by 2030, and insect protein is set to play a pivotal role. However, the first wave of insect protein companies faced challenges: prohibitively high costs and centralized production models that drove up capital expenditures and logistics costs. These issues limited their ability to scale effectively and compete with traditional protein sources. The solution? A shift in strategy.
Enter Entoma Foods: Innovation Meets Market Opportunity
At Synthesis Ventures, we back visionary founders who not only dream big but also execute effectively. Entoma Foods exemplifies this. With a second-mover advantage, Entoma is leveraging insights from early adopters, correcting past missteps with a decentralized production strategy that reduces CAPEX and transportation costs. This model allows Entoma to produce a high-quality, cost-competitive protein that addresses the growing global demand, while maintaining the environmental and economic benefits that insect protein promises.
Acheta Domesticus: The Optimal Protein Source
After extenbsive R&D, Entoma Foods has chosen the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, as its primary species for a reason: it offers superior feed conversion, a robust nutritional profile, and a complete protein source, including all nine essential amino acids. This makes it a better alternative to many plant-based proteins, which often lack certain amino acids. Acheta’s efficient feed-to-protein conversion significantly reduces production costs, which in turn allows Entoma to offer a competitively priced protein source. This opens doors for massive scalability in both human food and animal feed markets.
Decentralized Production: A Game-Changer for Africa’s Growth
What sets Entoma Foods apart is its decentralized, modular production units. This model solves the logistical challenges faced in regions like Africa, where much of the population growth is expected. Traditional centralized production leads to high transportation costs and carbon emissions—problems Entoma avoids by localizing production. The modular strategy also allows Entoma to rapidly scale and meet the unique needs of regional markets, particularly in developing regions where logistical infrastructure is lacking.
Two Vertical Markets: Animal Feed and Human Food
Entoma Foods is tapping into all segment of the two main verticals: animal feed and human food. On the animal feed side, their cricket-based protein is more digestible and yields better results than traditional feed sources like soy. This leads to higher growth rates and improved livestock efficiency. For human consumption, Entoma offers a nutrient-dense, high-protein, low-carb product that appeals to a growing market of consumers looking for clean-label, sustainable food options. This dual-market approach allows for diversified revenue streams and scalability.
Insect Protein: Positioned for Exponential Growth
While lab-grown meats and plant-based proteins grab headlines, insect protein is already positioned for mass-market adoption. In the short term, its greatest impact will be in animal feed, where its efficiency can reduce reliance on unsustainable sources like soy and fishmeal. However, as consumers become more accustomed to sustainable food sources, insect protein will increasingly appear in mainstream human food products, especially in markets that prioritize environmental sustainability and nutritional benefits.
Synthesis Ventures Thesis: Backing the Future of Protein
At Synthesis Ventures, we don’t just invest in ideas—we invest in solutions that reshape industries. Entoma Foods exemplifies this by addressing the systemic challenges of protein production and creating a sustainable, scalable, and economically viable alternative. Their business model, rooted in decentralization, reduces capital expenditures and allows for rapid scaling across diverse markets. With a clear path to profitability and a massive global market opportunity, Entoma Foods is well-positioned to become a dominant player in the future of protein production.
Looking Ahead: Scaling for Impact
The challenge to feed a growing world is immense, but with innovative, scalable solutions like Entoma Foods, we’re getting closer to meeting it head-on. This is not just an opportunity to disrupt the protein industry—it’s a chance to build a more sustainable future.
Synthesis Ventures – Pioneering Bold Ideas, One Challenge at a Time.
