Building a world-class facility to produce protein and more.

Seizing a leadership position in insect agriculture

The Opportunity

Crickets represent one of the most efficient forms of protein production on the planet. As the world grapples with climate change and the demand for more protein, insect agriculture is becoming a leading solution among the new alternatives to traditional protein sources, primarily for the animal feed markets. With relatively few players globally, Aspire Food Group has the potential to help Canada become leaders in this new field. 

The Challenge

As a very new industry, insect agriculture has yet to achieve its potential in streamlined processes and efficiencies to ensure its sustainable protein source can be cost- and labour-competitive. Aspire Food Group is one the pioneers in the field, and has dedicated years into making its product one of the most sustainable, profitable and carbon neutral on the planet. But they needed someone to help them raise the capital to continue their quest.

NPC’s Solution

When NPC saw Aspire’s strategic plans, they provided $125,000 through their Access to Talent Program (formerly known as Executive Talent) to hire an experienced CFO to direct their capital raise and manage their growth. In addition, NPC was able to leverage its unique subject matter expertise and industry connections to further support Aspire. As a result, Aspire has built a state of the art facility in London, Ontario that will allow Aspire to supply protein to food and pet food producers, and produce a lucrative side product, biofertilizer made from insect frass, a biproduct of the insect rearing process.