That’s the winning idea conceptualised by two students from the Republic Polytechnic (RP) during the school’s iDARE (i-Developing Aspiring and Ready Entrepreneurs) Entrepreneurial Challenge 2021. Their innovation, Altimate Nutrition – tasty, nutritious & sustainable insect protein supplements, beat a total of 160 unique submissions from over 520 aspiring students and alumni.
Why crickets?
Altimate Nutrition uses insect alternatives to create a range of tasty, nutritious and sustainable protein supplements that comes in flavours such as double chocolate and peanut butter cinnamon, with each bar boasting 12g of protein. Despite 80% of the world consuming insects, edible insects still get a bad rep and Altimate Nutrition wants to change this through their protein bars.
In terms of sustainability, cricket protein requires less water, energy, feed and land when compared to other plant or animal sources – altogether contributing less carbon emissions. Moreover, crickets offer higher protein quality that is rich in micronutrients, essential fatty acids and are low in calories.
From a socio-economic point of view, cricket farming has a low barrier to entry as it does not require high-tech equipment or much capital. This then opens up economic opportunities as well as a food solution for developing nations and communities.
Where to get Altimate
If you’re not squeamish over the idea of eating insects, you’ll be glad to know that the team is worked with RP alumni startup Asia Insect Farm Solutions Pte Ltd to strengthen research work on cricket-based products and is still currently finalising their products for market launch. They’re also in talks with several marketers and distributors while working on the permits to sell these cricket-based products locally and overseas.
In the meanwhile, do check out their website at https://altimatenutrition.com/ or their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/altimate-nutrition/.
Images: Republic Polytechnic
