BigSis, the British agtech start-up offering robust yet chemical-free insect control solutions to farmers, has been named today as one of Bloomberg UK’s 25 Startups to Watch. From more than 1,500 applications received, BigSis is one of just 25 startups to feature in the inaugural list compiled by Bloomberg. The financial and media company says the final selection represents the most innovative, new UK businesses: those that are growing fast, working on something truly unique, and which demonstrate their commitment to diversity.
“I’m truly thrilled by our inclusion as one of these 25 companies,” says BigSis Founder and CEO Glen Slade. “To have been selected from what was undoubtedly an impressive bank of entries is a great vote of confidence in the value of our work to reduce chemical insecticide usage and surely reflects BigSis’ unique and innovative approach to this problem”.
Founded in 2017, BigSis has harnessed AI and robotics in its quest to help farmers control insect pests without the use of harmful pesticides. Its in-house technology has automated the individualised rearing of sterile male insects to enable the production of millions of them. These can be released into a crop, where they mate with wild females, which then produce no offspring. This prevents the rapid increase in pest populations that leads to crop damage. Farmers will subscribe to a season-long service, with BigSis taking care of insect releases and crop monitoring.
“The beauty of our system is that it’s species-specific, non-toxic, non-GMO, and demands minimal regulation,” notes Slade. “Despite its minimal impact on the environment, BigSis solutions are capable of outperforming chemical insecticides in many agricultural and horticultural crops, with further opportunities in pest control for public health.”.