10151641LENS – Launchpad for Establishing Neonate SupplyActiveGrant for R&DInnovate UKBetaBugs is an innovative, diverse and Scotland-based insect genetics SME. The company's main innovation activities are running a selective breeding program for black-soldier-fly genetics (HiPer-Fly(r)), and The Multiplier(r), an existing black-soldier-fly multiplier-facility that supplies Black-Soldier-Fly breeds to the UK insect-farming industry on a commercial basis as black-soldier-fly-eggs and juvenile-larvae. This project will develop a new product offering for deployment from The Multiplier(r), a black-soldier fly multiplication facility that will supply continuously improving high-performance genetics, HiPer-Fly(r), to insect-as-feed producers globally. Livestock and aquaculture protein demand is increasing due to human population growth, yet current production depends on volatile and unsustainable soy and fishmeal imports. An alternative source of protein for livestock and aquaculture feed are insects, which are rapidly growing in importance globally. Today there are black-soldier-fly producers in the UK, Europe, the Americas and Asia. Market calculations predict 1M tonnes of insect protein/year and £2B/yr revenue. Black-soldier-fly producers need high-performance genetics because production facilities are capital intensive. However, black-soldier-fly producers do not have breeding resources and expertise to develop high-performance genetics, while there are no suppliers of such genetics (breeding programs). The objectives of the project are to develop a new product format, validate a production process and then deploy this within the company's existing production site, The-Multiplier to enable the business to capture distinct market segments and geographies. The project will deliver the objectives by using the in-house expertise of BetaBugs's existing Production and Product & Process Development (PPD) team, with support of the wider commercial and operational teams. This will enable the business to produce its high-performance black-soldier-fly genetics in a new product format from The Multiplier(r). This will lead to commercial scale quantities of high-performance black-soldier-fly genetics for sale, leading to company growth and commercial success. In parallel, it will increase the commercial viability of insects for sustainable feeds for livestock and aquaculture industries, addressing the challenge of cleanly feeding a growing population.