What Ecofly does

Ecofly GmbH is an Austrian bio-industrial company founded in 2017 that specializes in producing insect-based protein and related products from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae. The company operates production facilities in Antiesenhofen, Austria, with its registered headquarters in Andorf, and employs between 1 and 10 people. Its core technology consists of proprietary BSF breeding and growing methods that convert EU-authorized food industry by-products into high-quality insect protein, achieving a 90% feed-to-biomass conversion rate and producing up to 1,000 kg of insect meal per square meter per year.

The company's product portfolio spans four lines: BSF-Protein (a high-digestibility protein meal for aquaculture, pet food, and livestock feed), BSF-Oil (a sustainable fat source for animal feed and cosmetics), Fertifly (an organic fertilizer sub-brand derived from insect frass for organic farming), and BSF-Neonates (freshly hatched larvae sold to other insect breeders). The business operates on a B2B sales-led model targeting aquaculture operations, pet food manufacturers, organic farmers, and commercial insect breeders. Critically, Ecofly's primary go-to-market pathway for protein and oil products runs through its strategic processing partner PUREA Austria GmbH, which handles industrial-scale processing and commercial distribution. Ecofly also leverages non-dilutive support from Austrian institutions including FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency), tech2b incubator, and WKO membership.

Revenue, funding totals, and contract values are not publicly disclosed. The company has not raised disclosed venture capital beyond its 2018 inclusion in the tech2b incubator program, and remains founder-controlled. Its competitive positioning rests on regulatory compliance with EU feed regulations, accumulated BSF breeding expertise since 2016, and the PUREA Austria processing partnership that enables scale without proportional capital expenditure.

Name

Ecofly

Legal name

Ecofly GmbH

Website

https://ecofly.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ecofly GmbH is an Austrian bio-industrial company founded in 2017 that produces insect protein, oil, and organic fertilizer from Black Soldier Fly larvae, serving aquaculture, pet food, livestock feed, and organic farming customers primarily through its PUREA Austria processing partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insect Protein Production

NAICS

Other Animal Production (1129)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Insect Farming (Crickets, Mealworms, Black Soldier Fly) (AFAEAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Insect protein production
• Black soldier fly farming
• Animal feed ingredients
• Organic frass fertilizer
• Waste stream upcycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Antiesenhofen

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. BSF Insect Protein: Sale of Black Soldier Fly insect protein meal for aquaculture, pet food, and livestock feed applications. High digestibility and protein conversion rates make it suitable as a sustainable alternative to fish meal and soy protein.
2. BSF Oil: Sale of insect-derived oil as a sustainable fat source for animal feed, with applications in cosmetics and soap production as an alternative to palm oil.
3. Fertifly Organic Fertilizer: Sale of Frass (insect residue) as a natural organic multi-nutrient fertilizer for field vegetables, root crops, and specialty crops in organic farming.
4. BSF Neonates (Larvae): Sale of freshly hatched BSF larvae to other insect breeders and producers who want to scale their own breeding operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ecofly breeds Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae that are fed exclusively on EU-authorized food industry side-products, and converts them into four commercial outputs: BSF-Protein meal for aquaculture and pet food formulations, BSF-Oil as a sustainable fat ingredient, Fertifly organic fertilizer from insect frass, and BSF-Neonates (freshly hatched larvae) sold to other insect breeding operations. The full value chain is designed as zero-waste, with by-products upcycled rather than discarded.

Product overview

Ecofly operates as an insect protein production company utilizing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) larvae to upcycle waste streams into high-value products. The company produces four distinct products: BSF-Protein (a premium protein for aquaculture, pet food, and feed formulations), BSF-Oil (a sustainable fat source for animal feed and cosmetics), Fertifly (an organic fertilizer from insect frass for organic farming), and BSF-Neonates (freshly hatched larvae for breeding operations). Ecofly's process is designed as a zero-waste value chain where all outputs are utilized, processing side products from the food industry authorized as feed under EU regulations. The company collaborates with processing partner PUREA Austria for industrial-scale production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fertifly: Natural organic multi-nutrient fertilizer for field vegetables, root crops and specialty crops in organic farming, produced from insect frass.

Products and services

• BSF-Protein High-quality insect protein meal produced from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, offering high digestibility, tolerance, and reliable nutrient availability for aquaculture, pet food, and demanding feed formulations as a sustainable alternative to fish meal and soy protein.
• BSF-Oil Sustainable insect-derived fat with a distinctive fatty acid profile, positioned as an energy source in animal feed formulations and as an alternative to palm oil-based raw materials in cosmetics and soap production.
• Fertifly Natural organic multi-nutrient fertilizer produced from insect frass, supporting soil life, soil structure, and water-holding capacity for field vegetables, root crops, and specialty crops in organic farming systems.
• BSF-Neonates Freshly hatched Black Soldier Fly larvae shipped to insect producers for large-scale BSF breeding, supplied in quantified quantities together with an instruction manual for treatment after delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of proteins in feed can be converted to biomass by Hermetia illucens
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PUREA Austria GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Strategic partnership initiated in early 2020 for industrial-scale breeding, growing, and processing of Black Soldier Fly larvae into high-quality proteins. PUREA handles industrial-scale processing while Ecofly provides breeding expertise and larvae production. This is Ecofly's primary processing and go-to-market partner for protein and oil products.
• PBI AustriaminorOthersPartner organization listed on Ecofly's partners page; specific relationship details not disclosed.
• BDW (BMLRT - Austrian Federal Ministry)minorOthersListed as partner; BMLRT is the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. Specific relationship details not disclosed.
• tech2bminorOthersListed as partner; tech2b is an Austrian incubator/accelerator platform. Specific nature of partnership with Ecofly not detailed.
• Vivatis Holding AGminorOthersListed as partner; Vivatis Holding is an Austrian holding company in the food/agriculture sector. Specific relationship details not disclosed.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AgriProtein: AgriProtein is a South African-origin BSF-based insect protein producer targeting animal feed and waste upcycling. Directly comparable to Ecofly on species, feedstock (organic waste) and target applications in feed and fertiliser.
• Ÿnsect: Ÿnsect is a French insect protein producer (primarily mealworm) supplying aquafeed, pet food and fertiliser. Comparable to Ecofly in the insect-for-feed category and circular economy framing, although its species and end-product mix differ.
• InnovaFeed: InnovaFeed is a French industrial-scale BSF producer focused on aquafeed (notably salmon) and plant nutrition via frass. Highly comparable to Ecofly on BSF technology, end markets and the protein-plus-fertiliser dual revenue model.
• Bioflytech: Bioflytech is a Spanish BSF producer focused on protein meal, oil and frass for animal feed and agriculture. Closely comparable to Ecofly on species, product portfolio and southern-European B2B sales motion.
• nextProtein: nextProtein is a French BSF producer turning food waste into protein for aquafeed, pet food and plant nutrition. Comparable to Ecofly on BSF technology, feedstock model and three-product (protein, oil, fertiliser) offering.
• Hexafly: Hexafly is an Irish BSF producer developing protein, oil and frass for animal feed and pet food markets. Comparable to Ecofly on species, geography (DACH-adjacent EU) and product mix.
• Protix: Protix is the largest European Black Soldier Fly insect protein producer, serving aquaculture, pet food and livestock feed. Directly comparable to Ecofly on species (BSF), product mix (protein, oil, frass), and B2B go-to-market, but at substantially greater scale and capitalisation.

Regional players

• Nutrition Technologies: Nutrition Technologies is a Southeast Asia-based BSF producer serving aquafeed and crop nutrition. Comparable on BSF species and product portfolio, but operates in Asia rather than competing directly in Ecofly's European core market.

Emerging players

• Entocycle: Entocycle is a UK-based BSF insect protein company selling protein meal and oil to feed manufacturers. Comparable to Ecofly on species and target applications, but at an earlier commercial stage.

Others

• Bühler Group: Bühler is a Swiss plant and process equipment supplier that builds industrial-scale insect farming and processing lines. Comparable as an enabler/technology supplier in the same BSF value chain that Ecofly operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Ecofly