PROTIBERIA (VILLA INSECT S.L)

Protiberia is a female-led deep tech start-up specializing in sustainable insect farming technology. Our mission is to revolutionize protein production by combining advanced biological knowledge with cutting-edge automation and AI. We focus on the breeding and production of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) eggs and neonates, offering scalable solutions for the agri-food industry, animal feed, aquaculture, and waste bioconversion, contributing to the EU’s Green Deal and circular economy objectives.

Founded in 2022, Protiberia is headquartered in a small village, Villamalea, Spain. Our leadership team is spearheaded by Ana González, CEO and co-founder, ensuring strong representation of women in executive roles. 

Our core innovation lies in the integration of AI, computer vision, and IoT technologies to automate insect breeding processes. We have developed proprietary larvae sorting and monitoring systems that optimize breeding cycles, reduce operational costs by 15-20%, and improve scalability for industrial insect breeders. Our system is currently at TRL8, with patent filing underway, reinforcing our competitive edge.

Protiberia’s business model includes direct production of insect proteins and byproducts (lipids, biofertilizers, chitin) as well as a licensing model for our proprietary automation technology, enabling other insect farms to scale efficiently.

We have secured €700,000 in public funding, including regional and national programs, and have strategic partnerships with technology leaders and academic institutions like Tyris AI and the University of Murcia. These collaborations ensure continuous R&D excellence and validation of our biological and technological advancements.

Our mid-term roadmap includes filing and securing IP, expanding production capacities, entering new European markets (France, Germany), and integrating blockchain for supply chain traceability and sustainability certifications.

At Protiberia, we are not only building a profitable, scalable business but also driving the transition towards a sustainable, digital, and socially inclusive agri-food industry. Our approach prioritizes environmental stewardship, technological leadership, and the empowerment of women in deep tech entrepreneurship.