LISTEN: Biotech founder breaks down how she turns microorganisms into high-quality protein in just 24 hours
September 5, 2025 | Austin Barnes
On this episode of Startland News’ Plug and Play Topeka founder podcast series, we explore a ground-breaking food innovation with Katelijne “Kate” Bekers, co-founder and CEO of MicroHarvest.
This biotech startup is pioneering the world’s fastest protein production — turning microorganisms into high-quality protein in just 24 hours, using sustainable fermentation and agricultural side-streams, while slashing water, land use, and CO₂ emissions by more than 95 percent.
Bekers walks us through MicroHarvest’s rapid ascent — from lab experiments to commercial scale production — now delivering 10 tons per day and targeting a full-scale facility of 15,000 tons annually by 2026. We also delve into how its MPX single-cell protein and HILIX nucleotide extract offer more than just nutrition — they bring functionality for sectors ranging from aquafeed to pet and human nutrition.
Recorded live at the Plug and Play Animal Health & AgTech Expo in Topeka, this episode continues Startland News’ 12-part series on the founders transforming the future of animal health and agtech — and putting Topeka on the map as a national innovation hub.
Listen to a teaser below or click here for the full podcast episode.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
At 13, he begged his mother to let him cook; now this Blue Valley teen runs a creperie on wheels
Last Christmas, Karizma Nola and his family took a trip to Colorado where they came across the most unforgettable crepes, he recalled. This holiday season, Nola has a spatula in hand as he shares his own culinary passion with Kansas City. “I’ve always thought about being an entrepreneur; I just didn’t expect it to happen…
KC startup Pepper secures deal to create new IoT platform with investment from Comcast
The merging of a homegrown IoT startup’s tech and a corporate innovator’s existing smart property management system is expected to accelerate growth for Kansas City-built Pepper, said Scott Ford. The companies on Wednesday announced Pepper and Notion — Comcast’s insurtech business unit — had joined to create a new IoT and smart home platform that…
A KC family created Wish-Bone Italian Dressing for its fried chicken restaurant; it became an iconic American staple
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. For more stories like this one, subscribe to Hungry For MO on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. In 1948, Phillip Sollomi debuted an Italian vinaigrette at his…
New hard cider brewery in Crossroads plucks inspiration from family farm, Midwest fruit industry
Editor’s note: The following story was originally published by CityScene KC, an online news source focused on Greater Downtown Kansas City. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for the weekly CityScene KC email review. Russ John of Brick River Cider Co. has a modest goal for his new place in the East Crossroads.…