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Goterra

Using robots collaborating with insects to decentralise waste management

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Olympia Yarger

Founder & CEO at Goterra

More about Olympia »
Employees 21–50
Headquarters Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Goterra imagined a world where automation and biology work in tandem to solve complex challenges like managing waste and creating feed security. They then built robots filled with maggots that process food waste, becoming the first company to deploy and commercialise such a solution, redefining waste management. But why? Existing waste management solutions struggle to adapt in a changing world where sustainability is a key focus, scaling waste disposal has become crucial, and the transportation of waste is more than 50% of the total waste management costs. Their soil produces both high protein stock feed (insect meal) and nutritious soil conditioner (frass), and the modular unit allows the waste to be processed close to where it’s created without haulage and trucking costs.

Notable Achievements

  • Designed, prototyped and commercialised an autonomous system 1.5 years.
  • Raised A$8M in Series A funding, led by Grok Ventures and Tenacious Ventures.
  • Upscaling from managing 10 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes of food waste per week in 2021.

Currently Operating in One Region

Press Mentions

March 16, 2023

Robotics and millions of maggots to convert food waste to fodder after pilot project's success

Read on abcnews »

April 15, 2024

This gross, disgusting thing could save us all

Read more »

September 14, 2023

FLYING HIGH: Food waste management innovator Goterra wins Best Sustainability Startup

Read on Startup Daily »

August 17, 2023

Women thriving in agriculture

Read on Shepparton News »

August 1, 2023

Cannon-Brookes-backed food waste recycling startup banks $10 million bridging round

Read on Startup Daily »

July 31, 2023

This start-up’s ‘maggot robot’ will tackle Woolies’ food waste

Read on Australian Financial Review »

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