Waste management startup, Wormingup clinches Sarawak’s second ECF win raising US$128k via Ata Plus 

• Oversubscribed ECF round signals investor confidence in Sarawak green tech
• Funds will support equipment upgrades and a new BSF egg production centre to meet rising demand

FTA Broodstock Sdn Bhd, operating under the brand WormingUp, has raised US$128,000 (RM499,950) from 17 investors through Securities Commission-regulated equity crowdfunding (ECF) platform Ata Plus. In a statement, Ata Plus said the campaign surpassed its minimum target by over 300%, signalling strong investor confidence in Sarawak’s growing green technology sector.

The round was further supported by the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF), which invested alongside private backers to support high-growth Malaysian startups, reflecting continued government support for innovative waste management solutions and the national food security agenda.

Founded in 2015, WormingUp is an ISO14001-certified Sarawak-based accredited social enterprise focused on organic waste management using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology.

The company breeds Black Soldier Flies to convert organic waste into high-value bio-fertiliser and sustainable protein for animal feed through entomological biotechnology. It benefits from proximity to agricultural waste generated by Borneo’s palm oil industry. With global demand for sustainable animal feed projected to reach US$705 billion (RM3.3 trillion) by 2034, WormingUp aims to supply regional export markets including Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.

“Our mission has always been to transform environmental challenges into sustainable economic opportunities,” said Jeff Wee Hung Yee, managing director of WormingUp. “This ECF funding allows us to scale our circular economy model, providing tailored BSF solutions for the aquaculture, poultry and organic farming industries. With these resources, we are ready to expand our impact.”

The funds will be used primarily for equipment upgrades and facility expansion, including development of a new BSF egg production centre in Asajaya, Sarawak to meet rising demand for high-quality broodstock.

WormingUp has received several sustainability awards, most recently the Gold Award for Responsible Waste Management at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2025.

Elain Lockman (pic), CEO and co-founder of Ata Plus, said the campaign highlights growing investor appetite for locally rooted, ESG-driven ventures. “Their ability to turn waste into value while addressing methane emissions from landfills makes them a standout example of the high-potential startups we support,” she said.

“WormingUp is the second Sarawak company to complete a successful ECF round on Ata Plus. We are proud to bridge sustainable innovation and capital, paving the way for a more resilient and circular economy in Malaysia,” she added.