Latest IBioIC EDGE award winner announced in May

In May, the EDGE21 awards dinner celebrated the latest round of award winners, including the newest IBioIC EDGE award winner, Tuggs.

The IBioIC EDGE award is a special award within the Scottish EDGE category, supported by us, for Industrial Biotechnology Sector businesses. The award carries a potential prize amount of £100,000 (30/70 grant/loan split), which is awarded to one Scottish EDGE finalist on the day of the final or awards ceremony.

As well as cash funding, IBioIC EDGE Award winners benefit from membership of IBioIC and mentoring to enable them to maximise the opportunity for growth both in the UK and overseas.

Tuggs was delighted to have been the recipient of the IBioIC Scottish Edge award in May this year, winning £70,000 to help them scale their direct-to-consumer insect-based dog food brand. 

According to the UN’s report on World Population Growth, in the next 50 years the planet will need to produce more food than has been produced in the entirety of human history. With this in mind, insects have become a leading contender in the future of food production due to the efficient manner in which they can be farmed. Insects such as the Black Soldier Fly have a far more proficient feed-conversion ratio compared to traditional livestock whilst using far less land & water resources. 

With the pet food industry accounting for up to 30% of the carbon emissions related to food production in the US alone, companies such as Tuggs are looking for ways to reduce our carbon ‘pawprint’. As the first company in the UK to create fresh dog food made with insects, Tuggs is looking to pave the way for further innovation in the industry and looking to reduce reliance on livestock.