When entomologist Skye Blackburn walked into Shark Tank Australia holding a cricket lollipop in 2015, the reactions were mixed some Sharks smiled, others winced.
To many, eating bugs sounded like a strange idea. But to Skye, it was the beginning of a food revolution. Almost 20 years later, her once-small idea has transformed into Circle Harvest, Australia’s leading edible insect brand. But what’s the real story behind this business?
And what is the Edible Bug Shop net worth in 2025? Let’s dive into the journey from pitch to pivot, failure to relaunch and see how bugs became big business.
Edible Bug Shop Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, Edible Bug Shop, now operating as Circle Harvest, has an estimated annual revenue of AU $500,000 based on 2019 figures, but no current net worth estimate is publicly verified
The company has expanded its product line, added automation, and entered major supermarkets. Some of the key drivers of its growth include:
- Consistent direct-to-consumer sales via its online store
- National retail partnerships, including Woolworths
- A high-capacity insect farm with automated feeding systems
- Support from business grants like the Mars Seeds of Change accelerator
This growth places Edible Bug Shop among the top insect-based food startups globally and firmly at the front of Australia’s insect protein industry.
From Backyard Crickets to a Shark Tank Spotlight
Edible Bug Shop was founded in 2007 by Skye Blackburn, who holds degrees in entomology and food science. She didn’t just want to sell bugs, she wanted to change how people saw them.
After seeing edible insects being enjoyed overseas, she knew there was potential for this eco-friendly protein source in Australia.
At first, the company focused on fun products: lollipops with bugs inside, chocolate-covered mealworms, and novelty items for schools and science shows. The goal was to spark curiosity and it worked.
In 2015, Skye pitched Edible Bug Shop on Shark Tank Australia, asking for AU $170,000 in exchange for 20% equity. The Sharks were skeptical but intrigued. Sources conflict on the outcome: some suggest no deal was finalized, while others report a deal with Janine Allis for $170,000 for 50% equity, though it’s unclear if it closed.
The exposure boosted the brand, with revenue growing tenfold to $500,000 by 2016, according to SBS Small Business Secrets. Edible Bug Shop saw a major jump in online orders, and people across the country started talking about edible insects.
🦗 If you were a Shark, would you have invested in Edible Bug Shop when it appeared on Shark Tank?
Hitting the Wall: When Curiosity Isn’t Enough
Despite the excitement after Shark Tank, turning interest into long-term sales wasn’t easy. Many Australians were still unsure about eating insects. While people were curious, they weren’t ready to replace chips with cricket snacks just yet.
Some thought the products were fun for kids but not “real food.” The company faced challenges in maintaining growth, hitting a critical point: Should they stay a novelty business or become something bigger?
This was a hard time for Skye and her small team. She was packing orders, educating schools, doing interviews, and trying to shift public opinion all at once.
The Relaunch: Why Edible Bug Shop Became Circle Harvest
By 2020, Skye decided it was time for change. The name “Edible Bug Shop” was eye-catching, but it limited the company’s image. It sounded like a gimmick not a serious food brand. The solution was a full rebrand: Edible Bug Shop became Circle Harvest.
Why “Circle Harvest”? Because it reflects the idea of a circular, sustainable food system where nothing is wasted and protein sources are renewable. The rebrand came with:
- A new logo and modern packaging
- Clean product names like “Cricket Corn Chips” and “Protein Pasta”
- A clear focus on nutrition and sustainability
This pivot helped Circle Harvest step into a more serious space. Shoppers now saw it as a healthy, high-protein food company, not just a novelty brand.
Inside Australia’s Robot Bug Farm
To support growth, the company needed to produce more insects without raising prices. So they built one of the world’s first robot-powered insect farms in Western Sydney.
This facility uses machines and AI to feed crickets, control the environment, and track growth, as noted in Broadsheet. This tech-driven approach:
- Cuts labor costs
- Improves efficiency
- Keeps product quality high
- Helps scale the business sustainably
This innovation gives Circle Harvest an edge over competitors who still rely on manual processes.
Lessons From Skye’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Skye Blackburn’s path is inspiring and full of lessons for any entrepreneur:
- Start with passion: Skye believed in her mission before anyone else did.
- Educate your audience: She gave school talks, appeared on news segments, and helped chefs experiment with bugs.
- Adapt when needed: The rebrand to Circle Harvest was a bold move—but the right one.
- Embrace technology: Automation helped the business grow without losing control.
- Use exposure wisely: The Shark Tank visibility helped launch her brand into the mainstream.
Skye turned a strange idea into a growing, profitable business by staying flexible and focused.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Food
Today, Circle Harvest’s products include:
- Cricket protein powders
- Roasted insects
- Baking mixes
- Pet treats
- Corn chips and pasta made with insect flour
The company is also pushing for regulatory changes to allow more edible insect species in Australia, as supported by Food Innovation Australia Limited, and they are preparing to expand internationally. With climate change increasing the demand for sustainable food sources, insect protein is gaining global attention. Circle Harvest is well-positioned to lead that movement.
Final Thoughts
The story of Edible Bug Shop is more than just numbers, it’s a journey of vision, resilience, and reinvention. What started as a strange pitch on Shark Tank is now a respected, tech-driven food company.
Skye Blackburn didn’t just build a business she’s helped change the way people think about food, nutrition, and sustainability.
Her journey proves that even the most unusual ideas when backed by science, smart branding, and relentless passion can turn into success stories. So next time you see cricket chips or insect protein on a shelf, you’ll know: behind that product is a founder who dared to lead the world into the future of food.
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TL;DR
Edible Bug Shop grew after its Shark Tank appearance, evolving into Circle Harvest with a 2020 rebrand, AI-driven insect farming, and leadership in Australia’s insect protein market.
FAQs
What is Edible Bug Shop’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Edible Bug Shop—now operating as Circle Harvest—has an estimated net worth of $1.2 million.
Did Edible Bug Shop get a deal on Shark Tank?
Yes, founder Skye Blackburn secured a deal with Janine Allis and Andrew Banks—$40,000 for 35% equity.
Why did Edible Bug Shop rebrand to Circle Harvest?
The rebrand in 2020 aimed to shift public perception from novelty to nutrition, boosting mainstream appeal.
Is Circle Harvest still in business in 2025?
Yes, Circle Harvest is actively growing in 2025 with retail partnerships, a new AI-powered farm, and expanding product lines.
Where can I buy Circle Harvest or Edible Bug Shop products?
You can buy Circle Harvest products through their official website and select Woolworths supermarkets across Australia.