Founded in 2018 by brothers Gabriel, Miguel, and Alexandre, ProNuvo set out to become Latin America’s first industrial-scale insect company. Operations are based out of Costa Rica where sustainability is not a practice but a way of life. In fact, the country has managed to reverse deforestation, source over 98% of its energy from renewables, and has committed to become fully de-carbonized by 2050.
In 2019, ProNuvo launched its pilot plant with a dedicated team of just four members after securing a Seed investment round. The primary goal was to demonstrate both the biological and industrial feasibility of operating a black soldier fly larvae facility in Latin America. This initial phase set the foundation for ProNuvo’s growth and innovation in the insect industry.
By 2022, ProNuvo achieved a significant milestone by securing Series A funding, enabling the company to begin construction on its first industrial facility. Simultaneously, the pilot plant expanded to a team of 20, marking a key moment when ProNuvo successfully exported its first container of whole dried larvae to the United States—an important step toward scaling operations and entering international markets.
In September 2023, ProNuvo proudly inaugurated its first industrial facility, an event attended by employees, investors, clients, friends, and even the President of Costa Rica. Official operations commenced in December of the same year. Today, ProNuvo has grown into one of the largest employers in its community, further solidifying its commitment to economic growth and sustainability.
Looking ahead, ProNuvo’s vision is to continue expanding within Costa Rica and extend its operations throughout other countries in Latin America, driving growth in sustainable agriculture across the region.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Gabriel joined BTG Pactual, Latin America’s largest investment bank, based in São Paulo, Brazil. He worked in finance and private equity before leaving the banking industry to co-found and lead ProNuvo as its Chief Executive Officer.
As the most senior member on the founding team, Miguel offers over 30 years of professional experience and has become the backbone to ProNuvo’s vision. He has served as Managing Director of Aurora Ventures since 1999 and sits on the board of companies like Aquafoods, Speratum, BildTEK and Bionnovation Biomedical. Miguel holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Tufts University.
Alex, the youngest of the Carmona brothers, graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. He previously worked as a sales manager for a leading SaaS company, overseeing teams in Miami and São Paulo. Now, as ProNuvo’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), he leads the company’s sales, marketing, and communications efforts.
