The startup developing sustainable insect farming systems closes a €1 million funding round. The operation was led by Farming Future, the National Technology Transfer Hub for Agrifood Tech, launched by CDP Venture Capital SGR in collaboration with ToSeed & Partners.
Kinsect, an innovative company and benefit corporation, leader in insect farming for the production of sustainable feed-grade proteins and accelerated by PoliHub through the Encubator program (of which it was one of the winners of the 2022/2023 edition), announces the closing of a €1 million capital increase.
The operation, led by Farming Future, the National Technology Transfer Hub for Agrifood Tech launched by CDP Venture Capital in collaboration with ToSeed & Partners, marks a crucial step in Kinsect’s growth, reinforcing its commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies for insect farming.
This significant milestone was made possible thanks to the participation of strategic investors who recognize Kinsect’s innovative value and growth potential in the alternative protein and production technology sector, including Terra Next, Agrox srl, and Forest Valley. Kinsect took part in the second acceleration batch of Terra Next, the program dedicated to startups and innovative SMEs in the bioeconomy sector, an initiative by CDP Venture Capital with the participation of Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center as co-creator and promoter, and the support of Cariplo Factory, which manages the program and continues to support Kinsect’s growth with this additional follow-on investment. This demonstrates clear recognition of Kinsect’s mission to contribute to the decarbonization of the food industry and the reduction of environmental impact from protein sourcing.
With its modular, patented, and highly flexible technology, Kinsect stands out in the industrial landscape for its ability to adapt to a wide range of production solutions, offering farming systems that achieve insect density levels up to three times higher than those of major competitors. This production efficiency not only reduces operational costs but significantly improves the environmental footprint of livestock production, offering a sustainable and scalable alternative for the animal nutrition industry.
““Closing this investment round allows us to further accelerate the development of our technology and expand our production capacity, in response to the growing global demand for sustainable proteins and systems for their production,”said Giacomo Benassi, CEO of Kinsect.“Our modular and highly efficient system enables us to quickly adapt to market needs, offering productive solutions that can reduce operating costs by up to 40%, environmentally conscious and fully aligned with the principles of the circular economy.”
“The investment in Kinsect represents an important step towards the development of innovative and sustainable business models. Their revolutionary approach to insect farming not only contributes to a more resilient food supply chain but offers a concrete solution to global sustainability challenges,”, commented Claudia Pingue, Senior Partner of CDP Venture Capital and Head of Technology Transfer Fund. “CAs Farming Future Hub, we are proud to support a startup that combines technology, environmental impact, and strategic vision to reshape the future of the agrifood sector.”.
Kinsect will use the funds raised to strengthen its position in the European market, expand its production capacity, and develop new applications for its products: primarily technology, aimed at increasing the yield of insect farms not only for the production of feed proteins, but also organic fertilizers and bioplastics. The company will invest in research and development to further enhance the efficiency and scalability of its farming systems, positioning itself as a technological leader in the sector.
“Our goal is to take Kinsect’s technology to new levels of innovation and sustainability,”concluded Giacomo Benassi. “This funding will allow us to validate our products at an industrial scale and continue to innovate in the field of alternative proteins, offering solutions that address the environmental and food challenges of the future.”
With this funding round, Kinsect strengthens its role as a key player in the sustainable protein ecosystem, ready to seize new market opportunities and consolidate its leadership in the sector.
