NEW YORK � A fledgling company started by two Brown University graduates said Wednesday it raised $1.2 million to fund their attempt to market insect protein as an alternative food source.

NEW YORK � A fledgling company started by two Brown University graduates said Wednesday it raised $1.2 million to fund their attempt to market insect protein as an alternative food source.

Started by Brown University graduates Greg Sewitz and Gabi Lewis, New York-based Exo intends to get consumers to bite on the concept that insects can be a tasty and sustainable alternative, or complementary, protein source.

�This capital will help us take insect protein from novelty to daily conversation on a national scale.,� Lewis said. �We�ve only scratched the surface of insects as food.�

The company debuted its cricket protein bars in March.

The investment round follows the founders� completion of AccelFoods� accelerator program, where they received funding and support from the likes of Tom Colicchio, head judge of Bravo�s�Top Chef.

�Cricket protein bars are just the tip of the iceberg for Exo,� Sewitz said. �Edible insects are exceptionally nutritious and leave a tiny environmental footprint. They are the future.�