Talash Huijbers
Talash Huijbers is the visionary Founder and CEO of InsectiPro, a groundbreaking Kenyan agritech enterprise converting organic waste into high‑value protein and fertilizer through insect farming. Since launching the venture in late 2018 with a modest investment of KSh 250,000, she has grown InsectiPro into one of Africa’s most innovative circular‑economy startups.
InsectiPro harnesses black soldier fly larvae and crickets to process 20–30 tonnes of organic food waste daily, diverting it from landfills and turning it into nutritious animal feed and soil-enhancing fertilizer. Currently producing 1–1.5 tons of dried larvae each day, the company sells its products to chicken farmers and feed millers, offering a sustainable alternative to costly fishmeal and soy.
Talash’s leadership has expanded InsectiPro to over 100 employees—predominantly youth and women—and scaling operations across multiple hubs. The company has processed up to 150 tonnes of organic waste per day across all sites, aiming to tackle about 2% of Nairobi’s daily waste volume.
Her impact goes beyond business: she has pioneered cricket-based snacks and cricket powder for human nutrition, partnered with research and regulatory bodies like ICIPE, KEBS, and NEMA to establish safe production standards, and championed awareness around edible insect consumption in Kenya and beyond.
Through her blend of entrepreneurial spirit, scientific insight, and environmental purpose, Talash Huijbers is positioning InsectiPro as a model of sustainable innovation. She not only advances Kenya’s food security and green economy but also inspires young African women to lead in STEM-driven agribusiness.