Danish Startup Secures Funding to Transform Invasive Crab Species into Eco-Friendly Feed Ingredients

Decameal, a FoodTech company based in Grindsted, is pioneering a groundbreaking process to transform invasive shore crabs into sustainable protein and lipid ingredients for the feed industry. Recently, the company successfully secured a Seed round of funding, although specific financial details have not been disclosed. Delphinus Venture Capital and Rockstart were key investors in this round, with Aller Aqua also participating as a strategic co-investor.

“The waste generated by crabs is a global concern, presenting a significant business opportunity. By showcasing our model’s success in Denmark, we aim to expand our impact worldwide,” stated Leander Hessner, the CEO and co-founder of Decameal.

Established in 2022 by Happylan Natkunarajah and Leander Hessner, Decameal specializes in creating sustainable products derived from crabs for various applications, including food, feed, and more. During the initial funding phase, Mikkel Kongsfelt joined the team as a co-founder.

Natkunarajah spearheads production development, focusing on innovative methods and testing, while Hessner oversees administrative tasks, communications, and partnerships. Kongsfelt is responsible for intellectual property management, funding initiatives, legal affairs, and investor relations. The company received an “Innofounder” grant from Innovationsfonden in November 2022, enabling the founders to dedicate themselves full-time to the venture.

Decameal aims to address the proliferation of European shore crabs along Nordic coastlines, which has resulted in ecological imbalances by destroying marine life. Simultaneously, the feed industry is under pressure to find sustainable alternatives to traditional sources like soy and fishmeal. Decameal’s solution involves sourcing crabs from small-scale fisheries and utilizing a patent-pending extraction process to produce protein flour and concentrate for poultry, aquaculture, and pet food. Additionally, the company is working on extracting chitin and chitosan from the shells for more lucrative markets.

Max Grünwald, an Investment Associate at Delphinus Venture Capital, commended Decameal’s innovative approach, emphasizing the value of repurposing a coastal nuisance into a valuable resource. In the past year, the company raised significant funding through various sources, including a pre-Seed round and a Green Demonstration and Development grant from Innovation Fund Denmark, in collaboration with DTU – Technical University of Denmark and Aller Aqua.

Currently, Decameal operates a pilot production facility in Grindsted, where protein extraction and processing occur. The company also maintains offices and laboratories at Agro Food Park in Aarhus, underscoring its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the FoodTech sector.