InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda

What InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda does

InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda is a Portuguese government-backed R&D consortium operating under the Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR) during the 2023-2025 implementation period. It coordinates 42 entities — comprising 19 companies, 14 research institutions, 4 collaborative labs, 3 business associations, and 2 official entities — to develop Portugal's insect bioindustrial sector across 9 thematic axes: InFood, InFeed, InIndustry, InBioremediation, InFrass, In4.0, One Health, In2Market, and Raw Materials.

The consortium's core technology stack is built on insect bioconversion using three target species — Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly), Tenebrio molitor (Mealworm), and Acheta domesticus (House cricket). Technical capabilities span bioremediation of livestock effluents and organic waste streams, extraction of chitin/chitosan from exoskeletons for cosmetics and bioplastics, production of insect frass organic fertilizers, Industry 4.0 automation and hyperspectral imaging for production quality control, and pending transgenic BSF strains with genetic traceability markers developed with Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência.

InsectERA does not operate as a revenue-generating enterprise. Its business model is non-dilutive PRR grant funding distributed across consortium partners for collaborative R&D. Downstream commercialization of developed products (insect-based food, animal feed, fertilizers, cosmetic ingredients, biopolymers) is executed by individual partner companies through their own distribution channels. Go-to-market occurs via industry events (InsectERA Congress, FNA), digital channels (website, newsletter with 1k+ subscribers, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), and direct partnerships with retail and feed manufacturers including Auchan, PetMaxi, and Sorgal. The stated strategic objective is to position Portugal as the European leader in the insect bioindustrial sector by 2025.

Name

InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda

Legal name

InsectERA - Agenda Mobilizadora

Website

https://insectera.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda is a Portuguese PRR-funded R&D consortium of 42 entities developing the insect bioindustrial sector across food, feed, fertilizer, bioremediation, and industrial biotech applications using Black Soldier Fly, mealworm, and cricket technologies during 2023-2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insect Bioindustrial Research and Development

NAICS

Other Animal Food Manufacturing (311119)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Insect-Based Protein Foods Manufacturing (AFAKAGAJ), Insect Protein Ingredients (Cricket, Black Soldier Fly, Mealworm) (AFAJAHAG)

Keywords

• Insect bioindustrial products
• Animal feed ingredients
• Organic fertilizer production
• Insect protein extraction
• Bioremediation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santarém

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PRR Funding (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência): Funded by Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan as a Mobilizing Agenda for Business Innovation. The program runs from 2023-2025 and focuses on developing the new insect bioindustrial sector through R&D, not direct revenue generation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda coordinates research and development across the insect bioindustrial value chain, using Black Soldier Fly, Mealworm and House Cricket as feedstock species. Its outputs target five end-product families: insect-based food for human consumption, protein ingredients and oils for animal feed, frass-based organic fertilizers, chitin and chitosan derivatives, and other industrial bio-based applications.

Product overview

InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda is a consortium-based initiative under Portugal's PRR that develops a portfolio of bioindustrial products derived from insects. The offering includes: insect-based food products for human consumption (InFood axis), animal feed solutions (InFeed axis), organic fertilizers from insect frass (InFrass axis), industrial biochemicals including chitin derivatives for cosmetics and bioplastics (InIndustry axis), and bioremediation services using black soldier fly larvae (InBiorremediation axis). The agenda aims to develop over 100 new products, processes, and services by 2025, targeting food, feed, agriculture, and industrial applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Insect-Based Food Products Food-grade products derived from Black Soldier Fly, Mealworm and House Cricket biomass, developed for industrial partners such as Auchan Portugal and Casa Mendes Gonçalves under the InFood work package.
• Insect Protein and Oil Ingredients for Animal Feed Protein meals and oils extracted from insect biomass for use as feed ingredients, targeted at industrial partners PetMaxi, Sorgal and Rações Zêzere under the InFeed axis.
• Insect Frass Organic Fertilizer Frass-based organic fertilizer produced from the residues of insect rearing, developed under the InFrass axis with agricultural partners Agromais and Nutrifarms.
• Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives Chitin and chitosan biopolymers extracted from insect exoskeletons, targeted at industrial applications including cosmetics and bioremediation in partnership with firms such as Mesosystem and Solfarcos.
• Transgenic Black Soldier Fly Strain Development R&D programme for transgenic Black Soldier Fly strains under the OneCode axis, providing improved biological feedstocks for downstream insect bioindustrial applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ new products, processes and services to be developed by 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• FeedInov CoLabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaborative laboratory leading the InFeed work package focused on insect-based solutions for animal nutrition, developing new feed formulas for fish, poultry, pigs, and pets.
• EntoGreencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Company developing biological conversion technologies using Black Soldier Fly larvae to convert agro-industrial waste into proteins and fertilizers. CEO Daniel Murta serves as President of InsectERA Executive Committee.
• Thunder FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Company producing protein and fertilizer using Tenebrio molitor (mealworm), participating in InFood and InIndustry axes.
• The Cricket Farming Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Portuguese company focused exclusively on Acheta domesticus (house cricket) production for human food ingredients, converting plant byproducts into food-grade cricket products.
• InnovPlantProtect (InPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaborative laboratory coordinating the InFrass axis focused on developing insect-based organic fertilizers for agriculture.
• INEGIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering leading the In4.0 work package on Industry 4.0 solutions for insect production.
• INIAVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research providing research infrastructure and expertise for insect biology and agricultural applications.
• University of AveirocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research university contributing to multiple axes including food extraction, environmental assessment, and circular economy studies.
• Egas Moniz School of Health and SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Health sciences institution leading the One Health work package and contributing to human health and safety assessments of insect products.
• CIIMARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Interdisciplinary marine research center evaluating insect ingredients in aquaculture and Mediterranean fish species nutrition.
• P-BiomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Portuguese Biotechnology Association serving as president of the Scientific Committee and promoting biotechnology sector development in Portugal since 1999.
• INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023International research organization contributing to insect protein characterization and 3D food printing applications using Tenebrio molitor derivatives.
• Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Leading technical university leading chitin extraction research from insect exoskeletons for industrial applications including cosmetics and bioplastics.
• IPIFF - International Platform of Insects for Food and FeedmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023European insect sector association with 72 members promoting insect-based products for food and feed; supports InsectERA congress and regulatory advancement.
• DGAV - Direção Geral de Alimentação e VeterináriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Portuguese regulatory authority for food and veterinary matters, providing regulatory guidance and safety assessments for insect products.
• Municipality of SantarémcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Local government hosting InsectERA headquarters at CNEMA and supporting bioremediation projects with local restaurants.
• Auchan Retail PortugalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Major food retailer representing the market pathway for insect-based food products; participates in ethics committee and food sector discussions.
• PetMaximajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Dog and cat food manufacturer developing insect-based pet food products through the InFeed axis.
• Sorgal Pet FoodmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Pet food manufacturer developing insect-based animal nutrition products.
• IACAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Portuguese Association of Compound Feed Manufacturers representing 37 companies with 50 production units, participating in feed sector development.
• Casa Mendes GonçalvesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Food industry company with R&D department developing insect-based food products and seasonings.
• Instituto Gulbenkian de CiênciacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Research institute authorized to conduct transgenic work for developing genetically marked Black Soldier Fly strains for bioremediation applications.
• MonlizminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Vegetable processing company contributing to the In4.0 work package on industrial solutions.
• MesosystemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Cosmetics company developing topical formulations using insect-derived ingredients through the InIndustry axis.
• SolfarcosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Biotechnology company developing peptides and proteins from insects for wellness and health applications including pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
• CoLAB B2E - Blue BioeconomymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaborative laboratory for blue bioeconomy contributing expertise in aquatic resources and circular economy approaches.
• Colab4FoodmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaborative laboratory promoting food industry competitiveness and sustainability through circular economy and innovation.
• SPCV - Portuguese Society of Veterinary SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Veterinary sciences society contributing to the Scientific Committee and supporting industrial entomology development in Portugal.
• FCT-UNL - NOVA School of Science and TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Engineering and sciences university contributing to the In4.0 work package and fatty acid extraction research.
• FCUP - Faculty of Sciences University of PortocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Faculty contributing to protein extraction, characterization, emulsifying properties research, and allergenicity assessments.
• Polytechnic Institute of BejaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Higher education institution contributing to food technology and agricultural programs and hyperspectral imaging quality control.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Protix: Dutch pioneer in Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) protein production for animal feed and pet food. Directly comparable as the European BSF benchmark against which InsectERA's BSF-focused members (EntoGreen) and InFeed axis compete for the same feed and pet food customers.
• Ÿnsect: French industrial insect protein producer using mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) for feed, pet food, and fertilizer. Directly comparable to InsectERA's EntoGreen/Thunder Foods members across the same insect species and value chain (feed/fertilizer) with overlapping target markets.
• InnovaFeed: French BSF producer developing insect protein for aquaculture feed and pet food, plus frass fertilizer. Direct comparable to InsectERA's InFeed (aquaculture via CIIMAR) and InFrass axes with overlapping species (Hermetia illucens) and end markets.
• Entomo Farms: Canadian cricket (Acheta domesticus) producer for human food ingredients. Directly comparable to InsectERA member The Cricket Farming Co. and the InFood axis, using the same species for food-grade cricket flour applications.
• Aspire Food Group: North American cricket producer for human food and pet food. Comparable to InsectERA's InFood and InFeed axes targeting cricket-based protein ingredients for food manufacturers and pet food brands.
• NextProtein: France/Tunisia-based BSF producer making insect protein for aquaculture and pet food. Directly comparable to InsectERA's InFeed axis targeting fish (sea bream, sea bass) and pet food with similar BSF-based value proposition.

Emerging players

• Loopworm: India-based company using BSF and mealworm to produce insect protein for pet food, aquaculture, and oleochemicals. Comparable to InsectERA's diversified multi-axis (InFeed, InIndustry) approach, particularly the chitin/industrial biochemical direction.
• Nutrition Technologies: Singapore/Malaysia-based BSF producer for animal feed and organic fertilizer using tropical BSF strains. Comparable to InsectERA's InFeed and InFrass axes, particularly the bioremediation and tropical/agricultural end-market angle.

Regional players

• Bioflytech: Spanish Black Soldier Fly producer focused on bioconversion of organic waste into protein, oils, and frass. Direct functional comparable to InsectERA's InBioremediation and InFrass axes, operating in the Iberian/European market and competing for similar waste-to-feed customers.
• HiProMine: Polish industrial insect protein producer using BSF and mealworm for feed, pet food, and fertilizer. European regional peer comparable to InsectERA across multiple axes (feed, fertilizer, multiple species) and competing in the same EU regulatory and customer landscape.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/insectera.bioindustria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/insectera-bioindustria
• Instagraminstagram.com/insectera__

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 InsectERA Mobilizing Agenda