Abilities and Skills at Your Disposal
NextProtein Raises €11.6M, Expands Production as Insect Protein Market Grows
In the ever-evolving world of sustainable agriculture, a German-based company named nextProtein is making waves. The insect protein company, which turns food waste into nutritious feed for livestock, fish, and pets using the Black Soldier Fly, has recently secured €11.6M in funding, including a significant €10.2M in Series A funding in May 2020.
Next to nextProtein, five other alternative protein startups in Germany are making a name for themselves. These include Nosh.bio, a mycoprotein developer via fermentation, Neggst offering plant-based egg alternatives, Vly specialising in plant-based dairy alternatives, Yellow Sunshine focusing on fermented lupin protein, and Vegdog providing plant-based dog food. Notable among these is Nosh.bio and Vly, which have already attracted considerable attention and financing with product launches and developments reported in 2025.
NextProtein's innovative approach to agriculture is not only capturing the attention of investors but also regulatory bodies. The company's products, including nextProtein (dry protein powder), nextOil (lipid product), and nextGrow (natural fertilizer), have been approved by the EU for aquaculture feed and can be used for feedstocks for the poultry and pork industries and pet food.
With this approval, nextProtein is increasing their production capacity to one tonne of protein per day. This expansion is a testament to the growing demand for sustainable and efficient high protein foods sources.
The leadership at nextProtein is as impressive as their products. CEO Mohamed Gastli, an eco-entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the field and a degree in chemical physics engineering from HEC Paris, is driving the company's growth. Meanwhile, Nambu Group, another player in the insect protein market, is led by Lowell Scarr, a Rhodes University graduate with over a decade of agricultural research experience.
In a collaborative effort, Divaks is working with the Buhler Group to establish an industrial-scale yellow mealworm plant, aiming to provide high-quality, sustainable, and traceable insect protein products. This collaboration further underscores the growing importance of insects in the global food industry.
As the world grapples with food security and sustainability, companies like nextProtein are leading the charge towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly food system. With their innovative approach, it's clear that the future of agriculture is set to be a greener, more plant-based one.
