Ÿnsect over the years

Since the initial four’s big idea eleven years ago (Antoine Hubert, Jean-Gabriel Levon, Alexis Angot, Fabrice Berro), we’ve come a long way. Every stage of our journey deserves credit it, as it got us to where we are now: at the forefront of a new industry helping to change the world.

2011
1 idea and 4 passionate scientists and environmental activists come together to co-found Ÿnsect.

2012
Ÿnsect joins a famous, innovation-oriented French incubator, Agoranov. Ÿnsect co-coordinates one of the largest R&D programs on insect-based products. The project, called DESIRABLE, is granted €1M by ANR.

2013
Ÿnsect launches its lab-scale production in partnership with renowned research centers.

2014
Ÿnsect is joined by eminent partners to develop its strategy and raises €2M with Emertec and Demeter. Ÿnsect wins the world pride 2030 prize and is the French cleantech company of the year. Ÿnsect opens a new facility at the Genopole biocluster.

2015
Ÿnsect closes a second financing round of €6M at the end of 2014 and with the help of €6M of public support, Ÿnsect invests €15M in the construction of Ÿnsite, a pilot vertical farm and a world-first.

2016
Ÿnsect delivers to its first customers in the petfood sector, after the opening of their pilot farm, in Dole, France. The company produces several hundreds of tons of finished products per year. Ÿnsect obtains ISO 9001 certification.

2017
Ÿnsect closes a third financing round of €15M from BPI, Quadia and existing partners. Thanks to this fundraising, Ÿnsect accelerates its development and begins the building of its first farm.

2018
Ÿnsect announces the installation of Ÿnfarm next to Amiens, France. At the same time, Ÿnsect exceeds 100 employees. Moreover, the latest studies in R&D demonstrate once more the remarkable performance of Ÿnmeal and Ÿnfrass.

2019
Ÿnsect draws on pioneering proprietary technology protected by 25 patents and files the building permit for the world’s largest insect farm.

2020
Ÿnsect raises $372M USD, the largest fundraising for an agtech firm outside of the US, enabling the start of the construction of Ÿnfarm. Ÿnsect also joins the Next40, a government organization that promotes promising companies. In January, Ÿnsect was invited to Davos for the first time, at the World Economic Forum.

2021
Ÿnsect enters the human food market. On January 13th, the European food safety authority (EFSA) deems mealworms safe for human consumption. Ÿnsect acquires Dutch agtech business Protifarm, increasing production capacity and mealworm species from one to two. The company also increases its patent portfolio to 300+.

2022
Following the integration of Jord Producers into the business, Ÿnsect enters the North American market. On July 4th, the European food safety authority (EFSA) deems Buffalo mealworms safe for human consumption.

2023
Ÿnsect expands its global presence and completes construction of Ÿnfarm, the world’s biggest insect farm, accelerating its delivery to clients.