Ÿnsect
French insect-biotechnology company that developed mealworm-based protein, animal-feed ingredients, and natural fertilizers.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Ÿnsect was a French biotechnology company founded in Paris in 2011 by scientists and environmental entrepreneurs seeking to develop insect-based alternatives for agriculture and nutrition. The company specialized primarily in beetle larvae, especially mealworms and buffalo worms, rather than black soldier flies. Its stated rationale was that mealworms could provide concentrated protein while being raised in vertically stacked systems requiring relatively limited land compared with conventional livestock production. The company initially positioned itself as a supplier of ingredients for animal nutrition and plant agriculture. Its portfolio included insect protein, insect oil, and frass-based fertilizer. After several years of research and development, Ÿnsect chose mealworm species partly because of their high protein content and their suitability for controlled, automated farming. The business model depended on large-scale production facilities, proprietary breeding and automation technologies, and the sale of higher-value ingredients into markets such as aquaculture, pet food, livestock feed, fertilizer, and eventually human nutrition. Ÿnsect raised its first reported institutional funding in 2014 and established an early farm at Dole in 2015. It later announced plans for a major vertical production complex at Poulainville near Amiens. The planned facility, often described as a giga-farm, was intended to industrialize mealworm production at a scale substantially larger than the company’s pilot operations. The project became central to the company’s growth narrative and attracted substantial private and public support. Ÿnsect joined France’s Next40 program in 2019, obtained regulatory authorization for an insect-based fertilizer in 2020, and completed a Series C financing round that brought its reported cumulative funding to hundreds of millions of dollars. The company broadened its technology and commercial ambitions during 2021. It acquired Dutch insect-farming company Protifarm, expanded its patent portfolio, launched Ÿnfabre, a genomic-selection program for industrial insect farming, and pursued partnerships in pet treats and Asian markets. It also promoted environmental initiatives, including the Terrha 2040 tree-planting project in northern France. Its product and brand architecture included Ynfrass for fertilizer and Spryng for pet-food-related ingredients, while the human nutrition business used buffalo-worm larvae as a source of food ingredients. From 2022 onward, Ÿnsect encountered increasing industrial and financial pressure. Supply-chain disruption following the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rising energy and operating costs, and delays affecting the Poulainville project weakened the economics of its expansion plan. The company reported that costs doubled between 2022 and 2023. It raised additional capital in early 2023 while cutting more than one-fifth of its workforce and refocused more heavily on animal feed, where management believed margins and market demand were more dependable. Antoine Hubert left the chief executive role in July 2023 and was replaced by Shankar Krishnamoorthy. The company entered safeguard proceedings in September 2024 and judicial reorganization in March 2025 after failing to secure a takeover or investment offer by the relevant deadline. Existing shareholders provided additional funding in April 2025, and Emmanuel Pinto became chief executive. In June 2025, Ÿnsect announced the elimination of nearly 70 percent of its approximately 200 jobs. The Évry commercial court ordered judicial liquidation on December 1, 2025. Subsequent criticism focused on the company’s use of public funding and the viability of large-scale insect farming. Ÿnsect therefore represents both an early European pioneer of industrial insect protein and a prominent example of the financial and operational challenges confronting the sector.
History
Ÿnsect was established in Paris in 2011 by four founders with backgrounds in science, engineering, business, and environmental activism: Antoine Hubert, Jean-Gabriel Levon, Fabrice Berro, and Alexis Angot. Their initial concept was to use controlled insect farming to create protein and agricultural inputs with a lower land footprint than conventional livestock production. After several years of research, the company selected beetles, particularly mealworms, as its principal production organisms. The company emphasized their protein density and their compatibility with automated vertical farming. The first major financing round was completed in February 2014, when Ÿnsect raised €1.8 million from investors including Emertec Gestion and Demeter Partners. In 2015, the company established its first farm at Dole. This pilot operation provided a basis for research into breeding, feeding, processing, and automation. Ÿnsect subsequently pursued a much larger industrial model. In 2018 it announced plans for a 45,000-square-metre vertical production facility at Poulainville, near Amiens. The project was intended to be a giga-farm capable of supporting commercial-scale insect production. Ÿnsect’s profile increased when it joined France’s Next40 index in 2019. In 2020, ANSES authorized the company to market Ynfrass, an insect-derived natural fertilizer. The authorization was presented as an important regulatory milestone for the insect-agriculture sector. That year, Ÿnsect also announced completion of its Series C financing, bringing reported total funding to $425 million. The company obtained B Corp certification in March 2021, reflecting its stated focus on environmental and social performance. Expansion accelerated in 2021. Ÿnsect acquired Protifarm, a Dutch company, to strengthen its insect-farming capabilities and support a possible entry into human nutrition. The transaction expanded the group’s patent portfolio to more than 340 patents across 41 patent families, according to the reference material. In the same period, the company introduced Ÿnfabre, described as an industrial genomic-selection program for large-scale insect farming. It also announced the Terrha 2040 initiative, including a commitment to plant 1.8 million trees in the Hauts-de-France region and seek carbon sequestration of more than 190,000 tonnes by 2040. Construction at the Amiens site formally began in May 2021. The company developed several commercial partnerships. In November 2021, it worked with Pure Simple True on Bernie's luxury dog treats and signed an agreement with Lotte’s research and development center in South Korea. In March 2022, Ÿnsect announced the acquisition of its first United States production site through the purchase of Jord Producers. The transaction gave it access to the backyard-chicken-feed market, although the site was closed approximately two years later. The industrial expansion plan was undermined by macroeconomic and operational pressures. Pandemic-related supply-chain disruption and the economic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increased the cost of construction and operations. The company’s costs reportedly doubled between 2022 and 2023, while commissioning of the Poulainville site was affected. In response, Ÿnsect narrowed its focus toward animal feed, reduced its workforce, and sought additional financing. At the beginning of 2023 it raised €160 million in a Series D round, including €107 million in convertible bonds, while cutting slightly more than 20 percent of its workforce in France and the Netherlands. Antoine Hubert stepped down as chief executive in July 2023 and Shankar Krishnamoorthy became chief executive. The company entered safeguard proceedings on September 26, 2024, amid difficulties in industrializing its technology and a revised business model. By February 2025, no takeover or investment proposal had been submitted to the commercial court. Ÿnsect entered judicial reorganization on March 3, 2025, and its spokesperson warned of a cash-flow crisis. Existing shareholders supplied a further €10 million in April to support production, customer deliveries, and discussions with investors. Emmanuel Pinto was appointed chief executive. In June 2025, the company announced the removal of nearly 70 percent of its approximately 200 jobs. The Évry commercial court ordered judicial liquidation on December 1, 2025. After the liquidation, politicians questioned the amount and effectiveness of public support, with the reference material attributing €148 million in public funding to the company out of total investment of approximately €600 million. A parliamentary inquiry was discussed. Later reporting also described employee concerns about working conditions at former production sites and demands for accountability. These developments placed Ÿnsect within a wider reassessment of the economics of industrial insect farming, where high production costs, regulatory constraints on feed substrates, uncertain consumer acceptance of insect food, and delayed factory ramp-ups have challenged the sector’s growth assumptions.
- 2025
Judicial reorganization, layoffs, and liquidation
[1]The company entered judicial reorganization, received additional shareholder funding, announced extensive job cuts, and was ordered into judicial liquidation in December.
- 2024
Safeguard proceedings begin
[1]Ÿnsect entered court-supervised safeguard proceedings as its industrial and financial difficulties intensified.
- 2023
Series D financing and strategic refocus
[1]The company raised additional capital, reduced its workforce, and shifted emphasis toward animal feed amid rising costs and industrial delays.
- 2022
Entry into the United States
[1]The acquisition of Jord Producers gave Ÿnsect a US production site and an entry point into backyard chicken feed.
- 2021
Protifarm acquired
[1]Ÿnsect acquired Dutch company Protifarm to expand its insect technology and human-nutrition ambitions.
- 2020
Ynfrass receives French market authorization
[1]ANSES authorized the marketing of Ÿnsect’s natural insect-based fertilizer.
- 2019
Joined Next40
[1]The company entered France’s Next40 technology-company index.
- 2018
Poulainville giga-farm announced
[1]Ÿnsect announced plans for a 45,000-square-metre vertical production site near Amiens.
- 2015
First farm established at Dole
[1]The company established its first insect-farming site at Dole in France.
- 2014
First reported fundraising
[1]Ÿnsect raised €1.8 million from investors including Emertec Gestion and Demeter Partners.
Products and positioning
A pioneer in vertically farmed insect protein and insect-derived agricultural inputs, with an emphasis on sustainable animal nutrition, pet food, human nutrition, and plant fertilization.
Animal nutrition ingredient
Mealworm protein
Ÿnsect’s core ingredient was protein derived mainly from mealworm larvae. The company targeted animal-feed applications, including aquaculture, livestock, and pet food. Mealworms were selected after research into their protein density, farming characteristics, and suitability for controlled vertical production.
Animal nutrition ingredient
Insect oil
Insect oil was part of Ÿnsect’s broader ingredient portfolio. It was intended for use in nutrition formulations and could be marketed alongside protein fractions generated through insect processing.
Natural fertilizer · 2020
Ynfrass
Ynfrass was an insect-derived natural fertilizer made from frass and associated insect-farming residues. French authorities authorized its market placement in 2020, making it one of the company’s most visible agricultural products.
Pet-food ingredient
Spryng
Spryng was the name associated with Ÿnsect’s pet-food ingredient activity. The company positioned insect-derived ingredients as a source of protein for pet nutrition and related products.
Human food ingredient
Human nutrition ingredients
The Human Nutrition & Health business unit developed ingredients from buffalo-worm larvae, also known as Alphitobius diaperinus. This activity was strengthened by the acquisition of Protifarm and represented Ÿnsect’s attempt to participate in the emerging human insect-food market.
Controversies
2026
Reported health and safety concerns at former production sites
Post-liquidation investigations reported employee concerns about flies, spider webs, rodent carcasses, moths, and spiders at the Poulainville and Damparis sites, alongside alleged health problems. The reports raised questions about working conditions and site management.
2026
Former employees demand accountability
Around 40 former employees reportedly gathered with their employee representative to demand accountability from former management and contest their redundancies.
2025
Criticism over public funding and industrial failure
Following liquidation, politicians criticized the amount of public support received by Ÿnsect and questioned the management and viability of the Amiens industrial project. The reference material reports that the company received €148 million in public funding out of approximately €600 million in total investment, while a parliamentary inquiry was discussed.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Terrha 2040
France · Hauts-de-France
Ÿnsect announced a regional environmental initiative involving the planting of 1.8 million trees in Hauts-de-France and a stated objective of sequestering more than 190,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2040.
Outcome. The initiative was announced as part of the company’s sustainability positioning; the reference material does not establish its final implementation outcome.
- 2021Bernie’s insect-based dog treats partnership
France
Ÿnsect partnered with Pure Simple True to develop luxury dog treats marketed under the Bernie’s brand, using insect-derived nutrition as a differentiating ingredient.
Outcome. The partnership demonstrated an effort to commercialize insect ingredients in premium pet products; later commercial results are not specified.
Brand decisions
2024
Entry into safeguard proceedingsOtherBackground
The company faced difficulties industrializing its technology and adapting its business model while its production expansion remained financially demanding.
Action taken
Ÿnsect was placed under safeguard proceedings on September 26, 2024.
Aftermath
The proceedings preceded judicial reorganization in 2025 and liquidation later that year.
2023
Refocus on animal feedStrategyBackground
Costs reportedly doubled between 2022 and 2023, while supply-chain disruption, inflation, and delays at Poulainville weakened the original expansion plan.
Action taken
Ÿnsect emphasized animal feed, reduced its workforce, and sought to improve margins by narrowing its commercial focus.
Aftermath
The strategic shift was followed by leadership change, court protection proceedings, and eventual liquidation.
Reported operating costs. Costs doubled between 2022 and 2023 (2022-2023)
2022
Acquisition of Jord ProducersM&ABackground
Ÿnsect sought a US operating presence and an entry into the backyard chicken-feed market.
Action taken
The company acquired its first US production site through the purchase of Jord Producers.
Aftermath
The site was later closed, approximately two years after the acquisition.
2021
Acquisition of ProtifarmM&ABackground
Ÿnsect wanted to expand its technology base and pursue human nutrition applications.
Action taken
The company acquired Dutch insect-farming company Protifarm and expanded its patent portfolio.
Aftermath
The acquisition supported the company’s human-nutrition strategy and increased its reported intellectual-property holdings.
2020
Commercial launch of YnfrassProduct launchBackground
Ÿnsect sought to diversify beyond protein ingredients into plant nutrition and agricultural inputs.
Action taken
The company obtained ANSES authorization to market its natural insect-based fertilizer, Ynfrass.
Aftermath
The authorization gave Ÿnsect an early regulatory milestone in the insect-derived fertilizer market.
Recent events
- 2025
Ÿnsect enters judicial reorganization[1]
Bankruptcy
After no takeover or investment proposal was submitted by the application deadline, the company was placed into judicial reorganization.
- 2025
Emmanuel Pinto becomes chief executive[1]
Leadership change · Other
Existing shareholders provided additional funding and Emmanuel Pinto was appointed chief executive during the restructuring period.
- 2025
Ÿnsect announces major job reductions[1]
Bankruptcy
The company announced the elimination of nearly 70 percent of its approximately 200 jobs.
- 2025
Court orders Ÿnsect’s judicial liquidation[1]
Bankruptcy
The Évry commercial court ordered the company’s judicial liquidation.
- 2024
Ÿnsect enters safeguard proceedings[1]
Bankruptcy
The company sought court protection amid industrialization difficulties, cost inflation, and a change in its business model.
- 2023
Antoine Hubert leaves the chief executive role[1]
Leadership change
Co-founder Antoine Hubert stepped down as chief executive and was succeeded by Shankar Krishnamoorthy.
- 2023
Ÿnsect raises additional capital while reducing its workforce[1]
Other
The company raised €160 million in a Series D round, including €107 million in convertible bonds, alongside workforce reductions affecting slightly more than 20 percent of staff.
- 2021
Ÿnsect acquires Protifarm[1]
M&A
The acquisition of the Dutch insect-farming company expanded Ÿnsect’s technology and patent base and supported its proposed move into human nutrition.
- 2020
Ÿnsect receives authorization for Ynfrass fertilizer[1]
Regulation · Product launch
French food and environmental safety authority ANSES authorized the marketing of the company’s natural insect-based fertilizer.
- 2020
Series C financing brings reported total funding to $425 million[1]
Other
Ÿnsect announced the completion of a Series C round, taking its reported cumulative financing to $425 million.
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