Masłomiąca-based biotech startup Proteine Resources, which produces premium insect-based protein and bioactive compounds for use in animal feed, veterinary supplements, cosmetics, and medicines, has raised €9.5 million in funding to launch the first autonomous insect protein factory.
- Founded in 2018 by Konrad Włodarczyk and Bart Roszkowski, Proteine Resources specializes in insect-based protein and bioactive compounds for pet nutrition, veterinary supplements, animal feed, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- The company produces hypoallergenic protein comparable in quality to beef, designed for premium pet food. Their patented technology and AI-driven automation enable a fully autonomous factory with minimal staff, ensuring consistent output and scalability.
- Using mushroom industry by-products as insect feed, the production system is zero-waste and environmentally friendly, emphasizing low energy use and carbon-negative processes. The modular facility design allows for decentralized manufacturing, adaptable to various locations.
- In 2024, the firm secured €1.4 million in funding, led by SMOK Ventures and supported by Bitspiration BoosterVC. The startup plans to use the capital to drive development, aiming to achieve PLN 270 million in annual revenue from insect protein sales by 2030.
"We help turn a problem into a profit center — in a way that’s scalable, measurable, and emissions-neutral," claims Bart Roszkowski, CEO of Proteine Resources.
Details of the deal
- The firm has been awarded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) Accelerator. The Agency is responsible for developing and implementing the European Innovation Council and manages various EU programs supporting SMEs, innovation ecosystems, the single market, consumer policy, and interregional innovation investments.
- Proteine Resources saw support from EIT Food, SMOK Ventures, Labena Ventures, and Bitspiration Booster.
"They are transforming one of the biggest environmental challenges in agriculture into a scalable business with real biotech credentials," explains Borys Musielak from SMOK Ventures.
- The firm will use the fresh €9.5 million capital to launch the world’s first fully autonomous insect protein factory. This includes scaling their pilot facility by 10 times, implementing a modular and low-energy factory design adaptable to any location, and producing a 1:1 beef analogue for premium pet food.
- The investment will also support AI-driven automation to ensure efficient, sustainable, decentralized, and scalable protein production from waste.
