Hilco is seeking offers to acquire the intellectual property and tangible assets of Zyzzle Limited t/a BigSis (“BigSis” or the “Company”) on behalf of the Liquidators of the Company, Alastair Massey and Tony Wright of FRP Advisory Limited.
BigSis was a specialist agritech business focused on the development of sustainable, non-chemical insect control solutions, centred on the automation and commercial application of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). The Company designs and deploys engineered systems intended to suppress pest populations while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, supporting improved crop protection and more sustainable agricultural practices.
The Company’s proprietary process combines biological science with engineered automation, translating established pest control principles into practical, deployable systems for growers, focused on applied research, product development and system implementation. BigSis’ proprietary processes, designs and know-how are capable of supporting scalable deployment rather than commodity-led production.
BigSis’ flagship Sustainable Insect Control Platform (SICP) delivers chemical-free pest control through an automated SIT-based approach, with the potential to reduce costs by up to 90% compared with traditional insect rearing methods. The Company’s SICP targets spotted wing drosophila (SWD), and invasive pest affecting high-value crops.
The Company has raised over £12m in funding, with backing from Cambridge Agritech, Regenerate Ventures and other early-stage investors, providing third-party validation of the technology and market opportunity. BigSis’ technology base also incorporates automation, optimisation and data-driven processes, offering scope for further development and expansion into additional crops, geographies or adjacent applications.
This acquisition represents an opportunity to secure the BigSis sustainable insect control platform and associated intellectual property and tangible assets, providing a foundation for a purchaser to accelerate development and commercial deployment of a proven, non-chemical pest control solution and establish a differentiated position in biological crop protection, with scope for expansion or integration into a broader agricultural technology or sustainability-focused portfolio.
BigSis established itself as a distinctive innovation-led brand within the agritech and applied engineering sector, associated with research-driven development, technical experimentation, and the practical application of engineered solutions to real-world agricultural challenges. The brand is closely linked to sustainable, non-chemical pest control and the commercialisation of advanced biological control techniques through engineered automation.
Unlike commodity-led agricultural inputs or conventional pest control providers, BigSis positioned itself around a technology-led, IP-driven model, combining biological science with proprietary system design, automation and optimisation processes. The brand’s positioning was strengthened through the development and commercial launch of its flagship SICP, supported by early deployments, pilot activity and engagement with growers and industry stakeholders.
The credibility of the BigSis brand has been reinforced through external validation, including over £12 m of investment across multiple funding rounds, backing from early-stage and agritech-focused investors, government grants and recognition in industry and innovation-focused press.
For an acquirer, the BigSis brand represents a credible and established name within the agritech and applied engineering market, offering immediate technical credibility, sector relevance and a defined innovation-led position, providing a foundation from which to advance product development, expand commercial deployment, and further develop proprietary technology and intellectual property under an established and recognised agritech identity.
The BigSis SICP is underpinned by a software-controlled automated production system, which forms the core operational and technological backbone of the platform. The assets available to acquire include the proprietary automation and control software, source code, system architecture used to manage and optimise the SIT production and deployment processes. The automated production system is operated through an extensive library of internally developed code, including cloud-based backups.
BigSis holds rights in its trading name and associated branding.
A schedule of registered trade marks are available via a virtual data room.
The Company holds patent filings relating to the SICP, covering innovations in automation, insect rearing, storage and release methods, together with supporting trade secrets and proprietary datasets.
A full schedule of patents and related documentation is available via the virtual data room.
The Company holds rights in its primary bigsis.tech domain name.
The Company is likely to own the copyright in the website content historically hosted on its domain, including written technical descriptions, visual assets, and supporting content showcasing the Company’s research and engineering capabilities and underlying intellectual property.
The Company has developed a structured body of technical know-how and organisational knowledge relating to its R&D activities, encompassing project records, testing methodologies, CAD design iterations.
The Company holds records relating to historic and recent customer and partner engagements.
Rights in the Company’s LinkedIn social media account is also available to acquire.
The Company’s tangible assets comprise computers, fixtures and fittings, and plant and machinery.
Full details of the Company’s tangible assets are available via the virtual data room.
Related Tangible Assets Opportunity Can Be Found Here
On receipt of a signed non-disclosure agreement (NDA) access will be provided to a virtual data room housing additional information. To access the NDA please click the link, sign and return via email to [email protected] or [email protected].
Hilco is acting as exclusive agent to the Company and its Liquidators in connection with the proposed sale of some or all of the Company’s assets. The Liquidator acts as an agent of the Company and without personal liability.
All sales are made strictly on an “as is, where is” basis. Only such right, title and interest (if any) as the Company may have in the assets will be transferred to a purchaser. No warranties, guarantees, or representations (express or implied) are provided by the Company, its Liquidators, or Hilco in respect of the assets or any information supplied. All parties must rely on their own enquiries and due diligence. Any information provided is for convenience only and has not been independently verified.
All offers are subject to the addition of VAT at the prevailing rate, where applicable. A non-refundable deposit equal to 20% of the agreed purchase price must be paid by the successful purchaser within 48 hours of offer acceptance. Payment of the deposit grants the purchaser the exclusive right to proceed with the acquisition of the relevant assets for a limited period and on the terms agreed.
A Buyer’s Premium of 10% of the final purchase price is payable by the successful purchaser in addition to the agreed purchase price, is non-negotiable and is payable at the same time and in the same manner as the purchase price and forms a condition of sale.
Legal completion must occur within five (5) business days of offer acceptance, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and its Liquidators.
