Team

Our founders bring together a unique combination of pioneering expertise in genetic modification and Black Soldier Fly-breeding. 

Our CEO Johan Jacobs founded Millibeter, one of the very first companies to farm the Black Soldier Fly and bioconvert organic waste into proteins and lipids for animal feed. The company, founded in 2012, was acquired by AgriProtein in 2019.

a clearly tired but confident CEO, somewhat smiling

Our CTO Paul Mozdziak is a recognized world leader in vertebrate cell culture and well versed in genetic modification of organisms, being one of the first investigators to genetically engineer a chicken to express a specific reporter protein. He was CSO of the cultivated meat startup Peace of Meat, which was acquired by Steakholder Foods.

Our COO/CFO Leentje Croes brings experience in general management and finance. In 2019, she launched and led Bluechem, Antwerp’s incubator for sustainable chemistry. In 2022 and 2023 she was COO at Peace of Meat and molecular beer startup Bar.on, continuing her journey of driving innovation in startups.

Our first employees bring their own technical and scientific expertise to the mix.

Tannaz Norizadeh Abbariki, PhD

Experienced Cellular & Molecular Biologist
Specialized in cell line development,
skeletal muscle research & iImage analysis

Xike Chen, PhD

Cell Biology Expert
Specialized in advanced cell culture
and genetic modification techniques

Zara Vermast

Bachelor in Biochemistry, Biology-Assistant
Experienced BSF breeder since 2015 at Millibeter/ Circular Organics.
The girl with the soldier fly tattoo. Really.

Dries Willems

Bachelor degree in biotechnology
Working on both fly breeding and genetics