OUR STORY
We are BugBell!
We are a small, motivated team with many years of experience in product development and production technology for pet food. What has always bothered us is the great jumble of technical terms, the lack of transparency in the feed declaration and the hiding of ingredients. How are we supposed to understand that as consumers without having studied it? Which food is really healthy for my dog? And can't I do more for the environment at the same time?
For cost reasons, many manufacturers work with grain, sugar or other fillers that do not have to be declared. This cover-up is exactly the problem, because one in three dogs today suffers from food intolerances, allergies and even deficiency symptoms.
We wanted to put an end to that.
OUR IDEALS
Transparent
Transparency, honesty and a trusting relationship with each other is the basis for working together.
pioneering
We work with a forward-looking business plan that takes into account modern strategies, resource consumption and sustainability.
Healthy
BugBell is developing open declaration healthy pet food from the ground up at the current stage of development.
BUGPRODUCT DEVELOPER | M.SC. FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
JAMINA ZAUGG
Tell me something about yourself in 3-5 sentences: In short: I love life. I love being on the go, can't sit at home on the sofa, and am open to new experiences.
How did you come up with the idea for BugBell? The basic idea wasn't to use insects as an alternative at all! It was simply to produce healthy food. But that raises the question: What does "healthy" even mean? The abundance of information and the lack of transparency in feed declarations make it almost impossible for pet owners to understand.
What is personally important to you? To promote the conscious use of resources! And not just for us humans, but also for our coatry friends.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Being able to oversee the whole picture: That means following, adapting, and optimizing everything from the concept to the happy customer.
What do you like to do most in your free time? Browse Get Your Guide (free advertising 😉), experience crazy activities and turn them into memories.
BUGPOINT COUNTER | MA GENERAL MANAGEMENT
ARNE MUES
Tell me something about yourself in 3-5 sentences: I originally come from the automotive industry and worked as an engineer. I am an absolute globetrotter. I lived in Mexico for a total of 2 years and in China for 3 years.
How did you come to BugBell? When I returned from Mexico after my two-year stay, I really wanted to do something with insects. In Asia and also in Mexico, insects have long been socially accepted. When I told a friend about this idea, she replied, "I know another crazy person who wants to make dog food with insects." Since I am an absolute dog person, I was thrilled. That's how I came to BugBell in 2017.
What is important to you? When I got Aya, I asked myself what the right dog food was. I was very overwhelmed and didn't know which food I could trust. Therefore, it is important to me to offer dogs food that is healthy and 100% transparent. An open declaration (which is often NOT available in the pet food industry) is the basis for this.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Since I previously worked in a corporation, I really appreciate the flexibility and versatility that BugBell brings. In a young startup, everyone ultimately has to do everything, from logistics, production, sales to marketing, etc. Realizing one's own ideas is something great.
What do you like to do most in your free time? I love to be active! Kitesurfing, diving, going to the gym or cycling. And of course, Aya is always with me!
BUGMARKETING MANAGER | MA MEDIA CULTURE AND GLOBALIZATION
CHRISTINE LUX
Tell me a bit about yourself in 3-5 sentences: Hi, I'm Christin, from Bremen, dog-obsessed, and a nature lover. Since the beginning of 2023, I've been working as a Junior Online Marketing Manager for BugBell.
How did you come to BugBell? Fortunately for me, BugBell offered an online marketing position right after I finished my studies. Bug-tastic! What could be better than a job centered around dogs, nutrition, and sustainability?
What is important to you? Having grown up with dogs since childhood, I know how important nutrition is for a healthy and long dog life. The topic is so extensive and complicated that it should gain more attention and transparency. BugBell's products represent what is important to me as a dog owner: needs-based feeding for our four-legged friends, 100% transparent declaration, and sustainability.
What do you enjoy most? Working with the friendly BugBell team and developing new creative content for social networks.
What do you like to do most in your free time? In my free time, I love spending time with our BugFeelGoodManager Nala and going hiking in nature with her.
BUG DESIGNER | MEDIA AND WEB DESIGNER
Christina Mahnkopf
Tell me a bit about yourself in 3-5 sentences: After four years of freelancing, I'm now officially part of the BugBell team – as a Creative Designer. Creativity has been with me as long as I can remember – whether with a brush, scissors, or digital tools.
What is important to you? It's important to me that creativity makes sense – it should inspire, connect, and also function. I value open communication, honest collaboration, and an atmosphere where ideas can flourish.
What do you enjoy most? I enjoy it most when I can make ideas visible – from the first draft to the finished design. I love to brainstorm with the team, discover new things, and with the courage to change, sometimes take unusual paths.
What do you like to do most in your free time? I prefer to be outdoors in nature – jogging, on the water, or taking a walk along the Havel. Yoga, meditation, and Zen help me find peace and focus. I also enjoy crafting, restoring, and photographing – as long as I can create something with my hands or try something new.
BUGQUALITYMANAGER
AYA
Tell me something about yourself in 3-5 sentences: I'm faaaast, when Arne rides his bike, I run ahead like lightning. And I'm always hungry! I spend the whole day looking for something delicious to eat. If push comes to shove, I'll even eat rabbit droppings.
How did you come to BugBell? Arne thinks he brought me to BugBell... but it was the other way around. It had long been my plan to work in the pet food industry and produce good dog food! And then to eat it!
What do you enjoy most about your work? I'm responsible for quality control and test the BugBell products every day. When I'm done with that, I rest from my stressful job or make sure Arne gets a break and go outside with him.
What do you like to do most in your free time? Eat! Sleep! Run! Play!
BUGFEELGOODMANAGER
NALA
Tell me a bit about yourself in 3-5 sentences: I'm Nala, and according to my dog mom Christin, I'm the best, sweetest, and most well-behaved dog in the whole world. I personally have a very different opinion about sometimes being quite annoying 😉
How did you come to BugBell?Since my dog mom started working at BugBell (which, by the way, has the best and healthiest dog biscuits in the world), I was able to start my career as a BugFeelGoodManager right away. Sometimes I cause a bit of a stir in the team, but the work has to stay exciting.
What is important to you? First and foremost - snacking - my favorite flavor, by the way, is banana and chia seeds, so I can do my important job with full force.
What do you like to do in your free time? Besides long hiking tours with my dog parents, I love the German North and Baltic Sea coasts. I also don't mind long naps with extensive cuddling sessions.