In 2015, after being inspired by the report ‘Edible Insect’ from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), my co-founder Timo and I travelled through Southeast Asia for three and a half months. After sampling all manner of insects, it was clear to us that with just a few tweaks here and there, namely fewer eyes, legs and feelers, we would bring this sustainable and extremely high-quality protein to the Western market. As a first product format, we chose a bar that is aimed at reducing possible barriers to consumption, and which would simplify the process of testing on the side of customers. In this way, our ‘convenience’ product is generating acceptance for insects as an innovative source of protein.

The cocoon of this silk spinner is a by-product of the globally vast silk industry. Towards the practical application of this product, we are cooperating with the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy as well as an established producer of organic silk. The development of food technology is not a straightforward undertaking, and so the project is of a long-term nature. For our first product, the SWARM Protein Fitness Bar, we are using crickets as a protein source. Thereby, we cooperate directlywith small farmers in rural Thailand, where the insects are already ground into a fine powder in accordance with food hygiene requirements.

We use sustainable protein that is derived from insects. This protein is of comparably high quality to conventional sources of protein from cattle breeding (milk, whey), but is a great deal more resource-conserving. This is because the insects are cold-blooded, meaning that they do not use energy from feed in order to maintain body temperature. Instead, they can invest their energy almost entirely in growth.

The development of the bar has been completed. It will be offered in three flavours: Red Berries, Chia Hazelnut and Raw Cacao. For the production of the first batch, we have launched a crowdfunding campaign. This will also serve as a proof-of-concept that insects can be accepted as a foodstuff.

In the coming weeks, we will be focusing above all on our crowdfunding campaign. At the same time, we will be giving greater attention to the matter of distribution and will be looking for suitable investors who can share our vision. More products containing insect-based protein are already in the works. Here, the field of sports nutrition offers us numerous possibilities. Moreover, we are also looking forward to driving forward the development of other insect species as foodstuffs.