Entis Partners with Kaufland: Insect Food Products Reach a New Market of 60 Million People

Entis, the fastest growing insect food brand in the Nordics will expand their distribution into Poland, Czechia, Croatia and Bulgaria through Kaufland, one of the biggest hypermarket chains in Germany. Entis products now being available to over 60 million new consumers is a significant step towards a more sustainable protein production. The company continues to speed up their growth and international expansion with the support of venture capital firm Maki.vc.

"This is the first major step towards our vision of bringing more sustainable means of protein to the entire Western world. Edible insects hold great promise not only due to their rich nutritional value, but also thanks to environmentally friendly farming methods. Insect farming produces up to 98% less greenhouse emissions than traditional livestock farming and requires an exponentially smaller amount of water, space and other resources. Insects are full of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12," says CEO of Entis Samuli Taskila.

Entis has different product families, of which ENTIS cricket chocolate and ENTIS Bugbites will be launched in nearly 100 Kaufland stores across Poland, Czechia, Croatia and Bulgaria.

"We've had a pioneering role in insect food development in the Nordics and it's great to see that international retail chains have discovered our potential. It is important to develop and brand products in a way that will make consumers embrace edible insects as alternative sources of protein and meat substitutes," continues Taskila.

Maki.vc sees potential in Entis' ability to challenge the food tech scene

The company has also gained a new partner in ownership to speed up their growth. On their  pre-seed funding round, Entis was joined by early stage venture capital firm Maki.vc. This makes it Entis' first vc backed funding round after having completed their first round with a circle of well-known Finnish angel investors.

"Food technology is one of our main investment themes. Entis has the opportunity to gain a strong position in the market for a new generation of alternative proteins with its insect-based products and an engaging brand. The timing is perfect: consumers are increasingly turning towards plant-based, sustainable diets, EU regulation is freeing up for insects as food, and meanwhile an European leader in the field is yet to emerge", Pauliina Martikainen, Investment Director at Maki.vc explains.

"This investment enables us to carry on our research and product development, and opens up new opportunities for scaling up in the European markets. The insect food market is expected to be an 8-billion-dollar market by 2030, and that's why we are thrilled to have Maki.vc on board with us to help us write a new chapter in the history of food," Taskila adds.

Source ENTIS