Bug-based protein company inspired by Presidio Jeanne Pengelly John Heylin is the first to smile at his own idea of a bug-based protein powder, but the idea is gaining momentum in the food industry. Crickets, freeze-dried and ground to a powder are a far more sustainable source of protein, he says. The idea came from an episode of Ted Talks which Heylin watched while he was job hunting after a tour of duty with the Peace Corps in Africa. He was also searching for a business school that not just incorporated but highlighted the principles of sustainability. Coming from a family Heylin describes as “hippies with an interest in business” — his father

attended the Chicago School of Business and spent 30 years encouraging Americans to reuse

glass — Heylin says it was a natural fit to consider a mix of business and sustainability. The

insect idea just kind of floated in, he says.

“This is a way for me to try to save the world,” he says.

The genetic alteration of meat and soy protein along with sustainability issues for both make

insect protein a far better choice, he says.

He had fun making the product prototypes. One was an energy bar that his classmates readily

ate; another was a mock of Rice Krispies, Cricket Krispies. For fun, he added real freeze-dried

crickets to the cereal.

“A lot of people were disappointed the energy bars didn’t have legs sticking out of them,” he

laughs.

Now, a year after his graduation from the Presidio Graduate School MBA program, Heylin is

busy looking after a four-month-old baby girl, while his business grows roots in Memphis. He

keeps frozen crickets in his freezer so he can make his own protein powder as needed.

Not surprisingly, the biggest challenge Heylin is finding in launching his business is a cultural

one.

“I’m trying to change cultural perception,” he says. “It isn’t easy. It could take decades.

“From my point of view, we might as well get people thinking about it now, since in 10 or 20

years, they may have to eat insects.”

For now, Heylin continues his research, form-filling, and equipment-ordering. He has met with

cricket farmers to secure supply and price, and he is working on securing a warehouse.

The plan is to push the dehydrated crickets through a flour mill and sifter, then pack the

powder by hand to sell to businesses already in the food industry.

“How do you not get excited about insects?” he says.