Jason Kiem (Head of Company), Jesse Turkstra (Head of Engineering), and Seppe Salari (Head of Entomology)

Why focus solely on reproduction?

Jason: Our journey began as a producer of black soldier fly larvae for insect meal and oil production. However, during the development of our research facility, we encountered challenges with egg production. Our team, composed of enthusiastic problem-solvers, discovered their expertise in developing solutions for these difficulties. We realized that by selling our efficient and cost-effective InsectoCages, we could better support the transition towards sustainable protein from BSF.

What do you enjoy most about your daily work?

Seppe: Working in the field of biology, I am constantly figuring out the balance between biological efficiency and economic viability. I enjoy the daily discussions with my colleague in mechanical engineering, who shares my passion for innovation. Last year, we drove 12-hours to a customer abroad talking non-stop about fly cages!

Jesse: For me, biology brings a unique challenge to engineering. I love to find innovative solutions in this field.

Jason: What I love most about my job is the impact we have on customers across the world. We're seeing more and more new entrants into the insect market who are looking to start farming insects and our solutions are making that easier for them.

What sets the InsectoCage apart from others in the market?

Seppe: Our InsectoCage has been specifically optimized for the growth and development of black soldier flies. The compartment for the flies called “the light cage” contains multiple microclimates, allowing us to separate different aged flies and promote mating between corresponding ages for optimal fertility.

Jesse: Our focus has been to simplify the process and eliminate any time-consuming steps. Growing larvae from 5-DOLs to adult flies requires no manual intervention with the InsectoCage. Harvesting the 200 grams of eggs it produces daily takes less than a minute.

How is the InsectoCage manufactured?

Jesse: We work with a select group of partners who excel in their respective fields. They provide us with the necessary components for the InsectoCage, which we then pre-assemble in our warehouse and ship to the customer. We use efficient packaging and quick, easy assembly methods to ensure a seamless experience for our customers.

Jason: Our expertise lies in developing systems. That's why we partner with leading Dutch manufacturers for the highest quality sub-components.

What does the future hold for InsectoCycle?

Jason: This year, we are taking a major step forward by partnering with a customer to build our first industrial-sized reproduction facility. We cannot wait to see the sheer amount of eggs this will produce!