Better Origin

What Better Origin does

Better Origin is a Cambridge, UK-based agricultural technology company founded in 2015 (originally as Entomics Biosystems Limited and rebranded in May 2020) that builds AI-powered insect farming systems to convert local food waste into sustainable protein for animal feed and pet food. Its core product is the X1, a fully automated, containerized insect mini-farm that uses Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to convert food waste into nutrient-rich insect protein, monitored by AI cameras and process-automation software that handle seeding, feeding, growth, and harvest without requiring insect-farming expertise from the operator. The company complements the X1 with its Metamorphosis processing technology for converting farmed insects into ingredients, and since 2024 has expanded into the pet food market with both B2B ingredients (Better Puree DC, Better Meal, Better Bug, Better Chitin) and finished consumer products (Better Kibble, Better Paté, Better Treats).

The company generates revenue primarily through a subscription/leasing model for X1 deployments (annual billing covering hardware, neonate larvae supply, and 24/7 engineering support) and through B2B sales of insect protein ingredients to pet food manufacturers. Its customer base is anchored by a flagship partnership with UK supermarket Morrisons, which has deployed 10 X1 containers to produce carbon-neutral eggs, with additional enterprise and pilot customers including Wern Farm in Wales and pet food brands such as GrubClub, Tuggs, and SomeGrub. Marketing and sales are conducted via a content-driven, field-sales-led enterprise GTM focused on the UK and EU, supported by university research partnerships with the University of Cambridge and the University of Stirling.

Better Origin has raised approximately $19 million in equity across a $3M seed (February 2021, led by Fly Ventures) and a $16M Series A (April 2022, led by Balderton Capital), supplemented by significant non-dilutive funding including a £10M UK Government Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund grant in October 2020 and earlier Innovate UK and EU grants. The company is headquartered at the Future Business Centre in Cambridge, employs 11-50 staff, and is led by co-founders Fotis Fotiadis (CEO) and Miha Pipan (Chief Scientific Officer).

Name

Better Origin

Legal name

Entomics Biosystems Limited

Website

https://betterorigin.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Better Origin builds AI-powered, containerized insect mini-farms (X1) that use Black Soldier Fly larvae to convert food waste into sustainable protein for poultry feed and pet food, serving UK and EU enterprise customers including Morrisons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable insect protein and animal feed production systems

NAICS

Animal Food Manufacturing (3111), Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Insect Protein Ingredients (Cricket, Black Soldier Fly, Mealworm) (AFAJAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Insect & Live Feed (Crickets, Mealworms, Feeder Roaches) (AFADAFAM), Insect-Based Protein Foods Manufacturing (AFAKAGAJ)

Keywords

• Insect protein production
• Sustainable animal feed
• Black soldier fly farming
• Food waste conversion
• AI-powered agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. X1 Subscription and Leasing: The X1 insect farming system is offered on a subscription and leasing basis. This provides recurring revenue through regular payments that include the hardware deployment, neonate larvae supply, and 24/7 engineering support.
2. Protein Ingredients (B2B): Sale of insect protein ingredients produced by the X1 systems to pet food brands, aquaculture operations, and other agricultural customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Better Origin manufactures and operates the X1, the world's first AI-powered insect mini-farm, a containerized system that uses black soldier fly larvae to convert local food waste into sustainable insect protein for animal feed. The company also sells insect-based ingredients (Better Puree DC, Better Meal, Better Bug, Better Chitin) to pet food manufacturers and finished pet food products (Better Kibble, Better Paté, Better Treats), supported by its proprietary Metamorphosis processing technology.

Product overview

Better Origin offers a portfolio of products centered around its AI-powered X1 insect mini-farm technology—a decentralized, containerized system that converts local food waste into sustainable insect protein using black soldier fly larvae. The core X1 product is offered as a subscription service with 24/7 remote support. Complementing the farm system, the company has developed the Metamorphosis Technology for insect processing. Better Origin has expanded into the pet food market with two product lines: Better Ingredients (comprising Better Puree DC, Better Meal, Better Bug, and Better Chitin) used by pet food manufacturers, and Better Pet Food finished products (including Better Kibble, Better Paté, and Better Treats) for consumer retail.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Better Origin X1 The world's first AI-powered insect mini-farm, housed in a shipping container. It converts local food waste into sustainable animal feed using black soldier fly larvae, with fully automated systems controlled by AI and remote monitoring. Offered to enterprise customers (farms, retailers) on a subscription and leasing basis with regular neonate larvae supply and 24/7 engineering support.
• Better Puree DC Insect-based puree ingredient derived from black soldier fly larvae, used as a sustainable protein source in pet food formulations. Part of the Better Ingredients product line sold to pet food manufacturers.
• Better Meal Insect-based meal ingredient for pet food production, providing high-quality protein with all essential amino acids. Part of the Better Ingredients product line sold to pet food manufacturers.
• Better Bug Whole insect ingredient derived from black soldier fly larvae, used in pet food applications. Part of the Better Ingredients product line sold to pet food manufacturers.
• Better Chitin Chitin ingredient derived from black soldier fly larvae shells, providing natural fiber that supports gut health in pets. Part of the Better Ingredients product line sold to pet food manufacturers.
• Better Kibble Insect-based dry dog food kibble made with Better Puree DC, providing nutrition in a crunchy bite that supports pet health. Sold as a finished consumer pet food product.
• Better Paté Insect-based wet pet food paté for cats and dogs, blending taste with optimal nutrition in a rich formulation. Sold as a finished consumer pet food product.
• Better Treats Insect-based pet treats for dogs, offering healthy snacking options with flavor and sustainability benefits. Sold as a finished consumer pet food product.
• Metamorphosis Technology Insect processing and value extraction technology that converts farmed insects into ingredients for animal feed, pet food and human food applications. A cost-effective insect processing line developed by Better Origin and supported by UK Government ISCF funding.

Quantifiable outcome

• 280 tonnes CO2 equivalent emissions reduction per X1 unit annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• MorrisonsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorrisons partnered with Better Origin to produce carbon neutral eggs using the X1 insect farming technology. Morrisons has deployed 10 X1 containers in their supply chain, representing the company's flagship commercial deployment and enabling them to meet sustainability targets.
• Wern FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWern Farm in Wales serves as a trial partner for Better Origin's X1 technology, providing an early pilot site to demonstrate the system's effectiveness in practical farm conditions.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBetter Origin has a research partnership with the University of Cambridge, leveraging academic expertise in entomology, AI, and sustainable agriculture to advance their technology.
• University of StirlingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with the University of Stirling focusing on agricultural and animal science applications of insect protein.
• GrubClubcoreTechnology or IntegrationPet food brand GrubClub sources insect protein ingredients from Better Origin for use in their sustainable pet food products.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• InnovaFeed: InnovaFeed (France) produces Black Soldier Fly protein for aquaculture and pet food, partnering with major retailers and feed companies. Directly comparable to Better Origin's BSF-based feed and ingredient model.
• AgriProtein: AgriProtein is a pioneer in BSF-based protein production from organic waste for animal feed, operating across multiple continents with similar waste-to-feed value proposition.
• Protix: Protix (Netherlands) is the most direct competitor, operating large-scale Black Soldier Fly production facilities for animal feed and pet food ingredients, and pursuing similar on-farm/distributed protein value propositions in Europe.
• Ÿnsect: Ÿnsect (France) is one of the largest insect protein producers globally, farming mealworms for feed and pet food; competing head-to-head with Better Origin in the insect-based animal feed and pet food ingredients category.
• EnviroFlight: EnviroFlight (US) is a leading North American BSF protein producer for animal feed and pet food, providing a relevant US-market comparator for Better Origin's stated expansion plans.
• Nutrition Technologies: Nutrition Technologies (Malaysia/SE Asia) produces BSF-based protein and oil for animal feed and pet food using a tropical climate production model — comparable technology stack and product mix.

Emerging players

• Entocycle: Entocycle (UK) operates automated BSF farms for animal feed and waste management, sharing Better Origin's geographic focus on UK production and AI-driven insect farming technology.
• Hexafly: Hexafly (Ireland) is an emerging BSF protein producer targeting EU aquaculture and pet food markets, providing a regional European peer with overlapping customer segments.
• Loopworm: Loopworm (India) is an insect biotechnology company producing BSF-derived protein, oil, and chitin for animal feed and pet food applications with a distributed farm model.

Regional players

• BioflyTech: BioflyTech (Spain) produces BSF-based protein for animal nutrition, serving the Iberian and Mediterranean markets — comparable feed product but different geographic focus than Better Origin.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/betterorigin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/betterorigin
• Xx.com/betterorigin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Better Origin