Katharina Unger is the founder and CEO of LIVIN farms, a company dedicated to finding innovative solutions. Since 2012, she's been leading the charge in the waste-to-protein industry.

With a background in Industrial Design and a strong focus on creating positive social and environmental change, Katharina has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. She is Alumna of the US Fulbright Program and studied Industrial Design (Masters Degree) and Design for Social Impact in Europe and the US. She has studied under the mentorship of Hartmut Esslinger (Founder of Frog Design) and Fiona Raby (RCA London). For her work, she has received several prestigious awards, including the RedDot Design Award, the Braun Prize Sustainability Award, the Bio Art and Design Award, the Core 77 International Design Award, as well as numerous other awards, fellowships and stipends.

She entered the insect industry with her diploma project, the HIVE PRO Explorer, an educational insect farming kit designed for home use. This innovative concept propelled her into larger-scale endeavours, ultimately leading to the founding of LIVIN farms.

Katharina's approach to design is practical and grounded in real-world impact. She believes in understanding complex systems to create meaningful solutions. Through her work, she aims to revolutionise how we think about food production and sustainability, making a tangible difference in the world. Katharina believes that a designer needs to observe the world on a systems level, in order to create impact through physical or strategic inventions.

Katharina Unger is a leading figure in the field of insect farming, having dedicated over a decade to advancing innovative technologies for alternative food and feed production across Europe, the US, Africa, and Asia. Widely recognized as a thought leader in design for sustainability, food, and agricultural innovation, Katharina has successfully brought her own products to market and guided her clients through the process as well.

In addition to her entrepreneurial achievements, Katharina is an active contributor to academia and public discourse. She frequently delivers lectures at universities and public events, sharing her expertise and insights. Moreover, Katharina is in high demand as a professional keynote speaker and is often sought after for television interviews worldwide, further solidifying her reputation as a prominent voice in the field.