Maltento, a company based in Cape Town, South Africa, is dedicated to unlocking the functional compounds of insect-based feed solutions. Recently, the company concluded a capital raise of $3.3 million with Sand River Venture Capital. This investment is a significant milestone for Maltento as it continues its mission to develop sustainable and innovative solutions in the animal feed market.

The intention behind the investment is to support Maltento’s ambitions to become a global player in the functional ingredient market. The investment will enable Maltento to accelerate its unique approach to insect biotechnology and further develop its pioneering palatability enhancer, called Palate+. Additionally, the funding will facilitate the expansion of Maltento’s offerings into new markets, including the United States and the European Union.

Why the Investors Invested

The investors, Sand River Venture Capital, decided to invest in Maltento for several reasons. In the first place, both parties share common values, with a commitment to funding innovative solutions for a sustainable future. Sand River Venture Capital is focused on providing capital and support to businesses that contribute to regenerating the natural world, and Maltento aligns with this mission.

read also Egyptian Fintech Axis Raises $8.25 Million in Seed Funding to Revolutionize Small Business Banking

Again, Sand River Venture Capital recognized Maltento as a leading company in the field of insect-based feed solutions. They were impressed by Maltento’s entrepreneurial drive and game-changing sustainability credentials. The potential for strong financial returns and the opportunity to support a company that is committed to creating sustainable products were also factors that attracted the investors.

A Look at Maltento

Maltento was founded in 2018 by Dean Smorenburg and is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. The company specializes in unlocking the functional compounds of insect-based feed solutions. Their primary markets are in the animal feed industry, both locally in South Africa and worldwide.

Maltento draws inspiration from insects to create clean, consistent, and functional nutrition solutions for animal feed markets. The company operates a factory in Epping, capable of shipping over 15 tonnes of processed soldier fly larvae to the United States every month. This high-protein addition to chicken feed not only provides a nutritional boost but also supports job creation in South Africa.

read also African Healthtech Helium Health Raises $30 Million in Series B Funding to Drive Growth and Healthcare Financing Solutions

One of Maltento’s flagship products is Palate+, a pioneering palatability enhancer. The company aims to expand the offering of Palate+ into new markets, including the United States and the European Union. Maltento’s sustainable approach involves minimizing the use of scarce natural resources and maximizing the utilization of traceable co-products from agro-processing industries.

The company is committed to leveraging insect biotechnology to create sustainable products that outperform other alternatives in the market. Through the unlocking of functional benefits from insects, Maltento aims to produce feed solutions that improve animal health while also contributing to soil and planet health. Their insect-based compounds are free from antibiotics and growth hormones, addressing crucial issues such as allergies, inflammation, and gut health.

With the recent investment from Sand River Venture Capital, Maltento is well-positioned to accelerate its growth in the field of insect-based feed solutions. The company’s dedication to sustainability, innovation, and job creation sets the stage for a brighter and more sustainable future in the animal feed industry.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. 
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Insects are making their way to your plate! And not just as a quirky addition to your salad — they’re the protein source of the future, and Maltento, a South African GreenTech company, is leading the charge. Using Black Soldier Flies (BSF) larvae, Maltento is converting organic waste into protein-rich biomass, which can be used for aquaculture, livestock, and pet food production. The best part? It creates a circular economy, minimizing waste and maximizing resources.

Located in a modern production facility near Cape Town, Maltento breeds and processes the BSF larvae, which are sold in various forms — wet, dried, or hydrolyzed — as a protein source or palatability enhancer in animal feed. But the startup isn’t stopping there. With the help of DEG’s Up-Scaling programme, the company has received a co-financing of 788,000 USD, allowing them to double their production capacities and install additional growth chambers for the larvae. They’re aiming to breed over 100 tonnes of larvae per month in the near future.

read also Ghanaian Vice President Bawumia Commissions Multi-Purpose Technology Hub in Akim Oda

Maltento is one of eleven companies that received co-financing through DEG’s Up-Scaling Programme in 2022. The programme is geared towards early-stage SMEs operating in GreenTech or FinTech sectors, with a focus on investments in developing and emerging-market countries. So not only is Maltento leading the way in sustainable protein production, but they’re also a shining example of innovative entrepreneurship and investment in Africa.

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. 
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard