How Reality Crushed Ÿnsect, The French Startup That Had Raised Over $600M For Insect Farming
Ÿnsect collapse shocks agri-tech world after $600M in funding failed to prevent bankruptcy. Here’s what went wrong.
Matilda
How Reality Crushed Ÿnsect, The French Startup That Had Raised Over $600M For Insect Farming
Ÿnsect Collapse: How a $600M Insect Farming Star Went Bust The much-hyped French insect farming startup Ÿnsect has entered judicial liquidation after burning through more than $600 million in funding—despite backing from Robert Downey Jr., European governments, and global investors. Its collapse in December 2025 raises urgent questions about the viability of alternative protein ventures and the risks of scaling before proving a clear business model. Why did Ÿnsect fail even with massive funding, celebrity support, and a mission to “revolutionize the food chain”? Credit: Ÿnsect From Super Bowl Spotlight to Bankruptcy Court Ÿnsect’s rise was nothing short of cinematic. In February 2021, Robert Downey Jr. praised the company on “The Late Show” during Super Bowl weekend, spotlighting its vision of turning mealworms into a sustainable protein source. Backed by his FootPrint Coalition and hundreds of millions in venture capital—including funds from the European Commission and French public bank…
