Bestran, a Spain-based start-up founded by a team originally from Ukraine, is setting out to change the way shrimp are raised, starting from the feed.
Their mission is to reduce juvenile shrimp mortality and dependence on unsustainable fishmeal by offering a sustainable, high-performance starter feed.
At the heart of their innovation is a proprietary fungal strain, rich in beta-carotene, grown using agricultural by-products. By combining microbial biotechnology with circular bioeconomy principles, Bestran is improving shrimp quality and sustainability while valorising agricultural waste.
In 2024, Bestran joined the EIT Jumpstarter programme in the Food category. What began as an idea for food colouring took a new direction thanks to expert mentoring and feedback.
“EIT Jumpstarter helped us shape our value proposition and business model,” says Oleksandr, co-founder of Bestran. “We pivoted from food colouring to shrimp feed to avoid competition with synthetic pigments and entered a much more promising market.”
This pivot was crucial. During the programme, Bestran validated their market fit, improved their business model, and secured 3rd place in the EIT Food category at the Grand Final, earning €2,500 in the process.
At its core, Bestran’s innovation lies in a beta-carotene-rich fungal biomass that serves as an ideal shrimp starter feed. Through aerobic fermentation of agricultural residues, the start-up produces a highly digestible biomass that boosts both survival and growth in juvenile shrimp.
The beta-carotene naturally converts into astaxanthin in shrimp, enhancing their colour, immunity, and quality, without the environmental or financial cost of synthetic alternatives.
Since completing the EIT Jumpstarter programme, Bestran has moved to the pre-commercial stage. Their prototype has been validated at lab scale, and they’ve secured industrial-scale equipment for upcoming trials. Early customer interest is already emerging, especially among European indoor shrimp farms.
Key achievements during the programme include:
Bestran is now preparing for shrimp feeding trials in partnership with industry players. Their short-term goals include attracting investment to scale fermentation processes and launching their product on the European market.
Looking ahead, the team also sees broader potential for their fungal biomass beyond aquaculture. With its high nutritional value and natural pigment content, the biomass could be adapted for use in animal feed and even in the cosmetics industry as a sustainable alternative to synthetic additives, extending its environmental and economic impact across multiple sectors.
Bestran’s story is one of innovation meeting sustainability, guided by the right support at the right time.
Want to follow in their footsteps?
Learn more about the EIT Jumpstarter programme.
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