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Trina Chiasson

Co-founder & CEO at Ovipost

Trina Chiasson is the co-founder and CEO of Ovipost, an agricultural technology company that farms insects as a climate-friendly protein alternative for pet food and animal feed.2 Born and raised in Wellington, Maine, Trina has a diverse background spanning environmental economics, technology, and entrepreneurship.3

Career Highlights

  • Co-founded Ovipost in 2018, focusing on automated insect farming4
  • Previously co-founded Infoactive, a data visualization software company acquired by Tableau2
  • Worked as a senior product manager at Tableau Software1
  • Served as a data visualization research fellow at the Reynolds Journalism Institute2
  • Visiting scientist at the American Museum of Natural History, studying insect protein2

Education and Early Career

Trina earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Southern Maine (2005-2007) and completed a Software Engineering Apprentice program at 8th Light (2011-2012).1 Her early career included roles in environmental non-profits and youth leadership organizations.3

Entrepreneurial Journey

Trina's path to insect farming was unconventional. After selling her first startup, Infoactive, to Tableau, she became interested in insect protein as a sustainable food source.3 In 2018, she co-founded Ovipost, which now operates farms in LaBelle, Florida, and Canton, Mississippi, shipping millions of insects weekly to various customers.3

Personal Interests and Achievements

Trina is known for her diverse interests and achievements, including:

  • Writing a juggling pattern notation app
  • Teaching physics through circus arts
  • Cycling over 4,000 miles from Maine to Oregon for charity6

As a queer entrepreneur, Trina is committed to innovation and sustainability in agriculture, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional protein sources and decrease greenhouse gas emissions through insect farming.5

Highlights

#122: Insects for Alternative Protein, from Y Combinator to a ...
Jan 20 · floridatrend.com
Betting on Bugs - Florida Trend | Feature
Dec 30 · ycombinator.com
Ovipost: Automated insect farming - Y Combinator
Ovipost: Automated insect farming - Y Combinator
Oct 30 · theorg.com
Trina Chiasson - Advisor, Board Of Directors at Ovipost | The Org
Trina Chiasson - Advisor, Board Of Directors at Ovipost | The Org
Jul 3 · aspenideas.org
Co-Founder and CEO, Ovipost - Aspen Ideas Festival
Co-Founder and CEO, Ovipost - Aspen Ideas Festival

Related Questions

What inspired Trina Chiasson to transition from data visualization to insect farming?
How does Ovipost's technology differ from traditional insect farming methods?
What challenges did Trina Chiasson face when starting Ovipost?
How did Trina Chiasson's background in environmental economics influence her career choices?
What are some innovative projects Trina Chiasson has worked on at Guerilla Science?
Trina Chiasson
Trina Chiasson, photo 1
Trina Chiasson, photo 2
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Location

La Belle, Florida, United States