TOPEKA — A group of Washburn University students have launched a startup that aims to combat hunger and change how Americans think about food by creating a protein powder made from crickets.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that six students formed the startup Agrotech Enterprises, which recently won the Washburn Entrepreneur Pitch Competition for their cricket protein powder business idea.
Senior Jonathan Barnell directs the group’s research and development. He says crickets are an excellent prospect for the company because of their nutritional value. Barnell says that crickets are “basically a superfood,” and contain all nine essential amino acids.
It takes a fraction of the water and feed to produce 10 grams of protein using crickets, compared to beef. But the startup says the biggest challenge is changing the image of insect-based foods.
