Introduction
Loopworm, founded in 2019, is an Indian biotech startup addressing food waste by producing sustainable protein alternatives for the animal feed industry. Using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae, Loopworm transforms organic waste into protein meal, insect-derived oil, and organic fertilizer. As one of the early adopters of insect farming in India, Loopworm is setting a strong foundation for sustainable agriculture and circular economy models.
Founders’ Background and Vision
Loopworm was founded by Ankit Alok Bagaria and Abhi Gawri, friends who met while studying at IIT Roorkee. With backgrounds rooted in science and sustainability, the duo recognized the enormous food waste problem in India and the opportunity to convert it into valuable products through insect biotechnology. Drawing inspiration from international insect farming models, they launched Loopworm with minimal capital and no corporate backing.
Starting from Scratch
The company started its journey in a small warehouse in Bengaluru, where the founders manually raised BSF larvae, experimented with waste inputs, and adapted to India’s varied climatic conditions. Support from incubation centers like CIIE.CO (IIM Ahmedabad) and TIDES (IIT Roorkee) helped with seed funding and technical mentorship. Their initial traction came from small agriculture and feed businesses in South India.
Business Model and Product Line
Loopworm operates on a B2B model with three primary products:
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Loop Meal: A protein-rich feed supplement used in poultry, fish, and pet food industries.
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Loop Oil: An insect-based oil high in lauric acid, enhancing animal immunity and nutrition.
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Loop Frass: A nutrient-rich organic fertilizer derived from insect waste.
The company has also developed a decentralized waste-to-value model called Loop-as-a-Service, which installs modular BSF units in rural regions. This empowers local entrepreneurs to process organic waste and create a revenue stream through insect farming.
Funding and Growth Trajectory
In 2022, Loopworm raised $3.4 million in seed funding from Omnivore, WaterBridge Ventures, and Titan Capital. This helped scale operations from pilot to commercial production.
By July 2025, the company secured an additional $3.25 million in a pre-Series A round, co-led by WaterBridge Ventures and ENRISSION India Capital. These funds are accelerating commercialization of a recombinant protein platform using silkworms—a low-cost method for producing diagnostics, vaccines, and industrial biomolecules.
Loopworm now operates a 6,000-tonne per year processing facility in Bengaluru, processing around 100 tonnes monthly. Its products are exported to Europe, South America, and ASEAN nations. Estimated revenue for 2024 was approximately $1 million, with regular orders from clients like CP Feeds and Ananda Group.
The company holds certifications including ISO 22000, GMP+, HACCP, and EU TRACES, ensuring quality and compliance for global feed and pet food markets.
Social and Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact
Food Waste Diversion
Loopworm has processed over 10,000 tonnes of food waste, reducing landfill load, curbing methane emissions, and contributing to cleaner urban environments.
Emission Reduction
By avoiding landfill disposal of organic waste, the company has helped prevent more than 3,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions, reducing the climate footprint.
Economic Impact
Job Creation
The company’s decentralized operations have created over 150 direct and indirect jobs, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Community members, including women and youth, are involved in roles such as insect rearing and fertilizer packaging.
Income Generation in Villages
Loopworm partners with local farmers and entrepreneurs, encouraging participation in the circular economy and enabling new income streams from waste processing and insect farming.
Affordable Livestock Feed
Insect-based protein is a viable and cost-effective substitute for traditional soy and fishmeal-based animal feed, reducing costs for small-scale poultry and aquaculture farmers.
Agricultural Impact
Sustainable Fertilizer Adoption
Loopworm’s frass fertilizer promotes organic farming by reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers. It improves soil structure and fertility, benefiting crop yield and sustainability.
Regenerative Farming Support
The fertilizer supports regenerative agricultural practices by enriching soil health and promoting biodiversity. Collaborations with farmer cooperatives help in education and widespread adoption.
Regulatory and Operational Challenges
Low Awareness
Many animal feed producers and farmers are unfamiliar with insect protein. The lack of education and traditional reliance on soy and fishmeal pose barriers to mainstream acceptance.
Regulatory Uncertainty
India currently lacks comprehensive regulatory frameworks for insect-based feed and food applications. This regulatory ambiguity can discourage scaling and commercial expansion.
Technical and Operational Complexities
Maintaining optimal climate conditions for BSF larvae, managing hygiene in waste processing, and standardizing operations require robust technological solutions and training.
Future Outlook
Loopworm aims to:
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Scale insect farming across India with 500+ modular BSF units in rural areas
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Expand its recombinant protein technology to serve pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries
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Enter new markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East
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Launch high-value ingredients for animal vaccines and biotech diagnostics
Conclusion
Loopworm exemplifies how deep-tech entrepreneurship can drive climate resilience, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture. From humble beginnings in a warehouse to building India’s largest insect bioconversion facility, the company shows that scientific innovation and ecological thinking can reshape industries.
By addressing the global protein crisis, food waste, and environmental degradation through scalable and replicable models, Loopworm is not just a startup—it is a movement toward a regenerative future.
