Introduction
Aude Guo is one of the leading innovators in Europe’s sustainable food-tech sector. As the co-founder and executive director of Innovafeed, she is reshaping the global protein industry through insect-based solutions designed to make the food chain more resilient, ecological, and circular. Her work places her at the forefront of deep-tech, agritech, and climate-impact entrepreneurship.
Early Life and Education
Aude Guo was born in Beijing and spent her formative years across China, Canada, and France. This multicultural upbringing shaped her global perspective and interest in systems-level challenges such as sustainability and food security.
She later earned an engineering degree from École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, one of France’s most prestigious engineering schools. To strengthen her leadership abilities, she completed an MBA at the Collège des Ingénieurs, where she refined her passion for purpose-driven innovation.
Early Career and Professional Path
Before becoming a climate-tech leader, Aude Guo built a strong technical and strategic foundation:
Safran
Her career began at Safran, a major aerospace and defense company, where she worked on industrial and operational challenges. This experience gave her the engineering rigor she would later apply to large-scale biotechnology projects.
McKinsey & Company
She then joined McKinsey & Company as a consultant. Working on industrial strategy and performance allowed her to understand complex supply chains, manufacturing processes, and innovative business models. This strategic background became crucial when she transitioned into entrepreneurship.
Founding Innovafeed
In 2016, Aude Guo co-founded Innovafeed with Clément Ray and Bastien Oggeri. The company was built around a mission: creating a sustainable and scalable protein source using insect biotechnology.
Innovafeed’s Vision
- Produce high-quality insect protein and oil using the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)
- Reduce dependence on environmentally destructive protein sources
- Build a circular economy model by using industrial symbiosis (recycling local agricultural by-products to feed insects)
- Lower carbon footprint across aquaculture, pet food, and agricultural sectors
Under her leadership, Innovafeed quickly became a global reference in insect protein production.
Growth and Achievements
Aude Guo played a key role in making Innovafeed one of France’s most prominent deep-tech companies.
Major Milestones
- Construction of large-scale industrial sites in northern France
- Expansion to the U.S. with new production projects
- Selection in French Tech Next40, highlighting France’s top innovation leaders
- Significant fundraising rounds to support global scaling
- Recognition for their pioneering circular-economy manufacturing process
Innovafeed now supplies sustainable ingredients to major aquaculture and agriculture partners worldwide.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
Aude Guo is widely recognized for her:
- Purpose-driven leadership
- Commitment to sustainability and climate impact
- Advocacy for diversity in tech and engineering
- Ability to scale scientifically complex operations
- Focus on innovation that is both ecological and economically viable
She emphasizes that future food systems must be nature-inspired, circular, and resource-efficient.
Recognition and Awards
Her work has earned several distinctions:
- Winner of the Business with Attitude Prize (2023)
- Appointed to the French Tech Impact Board
- Featured in multiple business and innovation rankings in Europe
- Frequently highlighted as a leading female founder in deep-tech
These recognitions reflect her influence on both sustainability and European tech leadership.
Impact on the Future of Food
Aude Guo’s mission extends far beyond building a successful company. She aims to:
- Scale insect protein as a mainstream solution
- Reduce global reliance on soy and fishmeal
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions in the food industry
- Develop new sustainable standards in agriculture and aquaculture
- Inspire more women to join engineering, climate-tech, and entrepreneurship
Her work directly contributes to shaping a more secure, resilient, and environmentally responsible global food system.
Conclusion
Aude Guo stands as a powerful figure in the intersection of technology, sustainability, and food innovation. Through Innovafeed, she is redefining how the world thinks about protein, circular economies, and industrial ecology. Her leadership continues to influence Europe’s climate-tech ecosystem and inspire forward-thinking entrepreneurs worldwide.
