IMAGINE eating a cricket. Does the crunch of an exoskeleton and a warm burst of guts come to mind? Exo wants you to think of Michelin stars. The Brooklyn, US-based start-up has closed a $4m funding round to bring chef-created cricket-flour foods to the masses. Investors include AccelFoods, the Collaborative Fund, and the rapper Nas.The company, which sells health bars online and at Whole Foods and Wegman’s in the US, plans to use the money to boost its retail presence.It is also working to launch new products based on cricket flour, such as ready-to-drink shakes and protein powders, to help appeal to fitness buffs — especially cross-fitters and paleo-diehards who help make up the company’s core market — and consumers who avoid eating meat for ethical or health reasons."In the long term, we envision cricket powder being competitive with soy, and whey, and any other protein source," says Exo co-founder Greg Sewitz. "That starts with introducing cricket protein to a consumer base with ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.