In the cannabis oils and extracts sector, the efficiency of the process and quality of the finished product are crucial for profitability. Specializing in innovative extraction equipment, Seattle-based Bizzybee offers customized solutions designed to meet the unique and evolving needs of extractors at an affordable price.
Customization: the Bizzybee advantage
Bizzybee’s extraction equipment is designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind — essential features for an industry sector that constantly is fine-tuning its approach. The company’s range of extraction systems allows operators to select and customize components to best suit their production goals. This bespoke approach allows every setup to be altered for optimal performance, whether the extractor’s focus is on producing craft concentrates or maximizing throughput.
One of the key advantages of Bizzybee’s systems is their modular design. Modularity allows for seamless scalability, making it easy for businesses to expand their operations without needing a complete overhaul of their existing setup. Operators can start with a basic system and incrementally add components as their production needs grow. This not only saves on initial investment costs but also ensures businesses can adapt to market demands swiftly.
“From the start, I didn’t want to make one system,” said Bizzybee founder Boris Kogon. “I recognized the modularity of it. My background is in computer science, where everything is a module. Because of that, it’s easy to debug things. You can also substitute modules without having to break everything else in the process. So, I just took all the principles computer science beat into me and applied it to BHO [butane hash oil] extraction machines.”
Kogon’s background allowed him to help his team innovate in a way others in the extraction sector hadn’t figured out yet. With its extraction equipment’s modular design, Bizzybee doesn’t have to make a different column for each function. Instead, columns are generic and made to do different functions by the choice of caps and fittings placed at the top and bottom. Since all columns use the same size caps, portability of functions and re-use of columns is possible simply by modifying the top and bottom treatments.
“If I’m an operator and I want to make my machine bigger, I just go to the next column size up and I don’t have to buy a whole new set of equipment,” Kogon said. “We also found a way to store solvent in the columns, because they have that long, thin shape. It allows them to work better as heat exchangers, meaning solvent can cool down a lot quicker than it would in a tank.”
Bizzybee’s designs evolved from Kogon’s desire to make modular, scalable configurations that allow processors of all sizes and types to “do whatever they want.”
But don’t call the company’s products “systems.”
“We built a system for building systems — in other words, a metasystem,” Kogon said. “So, when people hit us up and say, ‘Can you send us a quote for your system?’ I say, ‘Hold on. We don’t have a system. We make a system for building systems, and we can build something custom that fits your specific needs. You just need to come in and see it for yourself.”
Bizzybee’s modular approach means as businesses grow, their extraction processing configuration can grow apace. Such scalability, Kogon said, provides a significant advantage to operators who want to expand their production capacity without incurring the substantial costs associated with retrofitting their facility. By adding new modules, operators can enhance their current configuration’s capabilities whether their goal is to amp up production, improve purity, or diversify product offerings. And when any change to the system is made, the Bizzybee team will get it re-certified.
Innovative design and technology
Beyond their seamless customizability, Bizzybee’s extraction equipment is engineered for performance and reliability. The equipment incorporates features including:
- GMP closed loops: Ensuring safety and efficiency, Bizzybee’s closed-loop extraction equipment minimizes loss of solvents and reduces the risk of contamination, leading to cleaner, more consistent extracts.
- User-friendly interfaces: Each configuration is equipped with intuitive controls and observation interfaces, making it easy for operators to monitor and adjust their processes in real time.
- Automated controls: Automation allows for precise control of temperature, pressure, and other critical parameters, enhancing consistency and quality in the final product.
- Robust construction: Made from high-grade materials, Bizzybee’s equipment is built to last, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Sustainability and safety in extraction equipment
In addition to performance and efficiency, Bizzybee places a strong emphasis on sustainability and safety. The closed-loop equipment is designed to minimize environmental impact by reducing solvent waste and ensuring safe operation. Sustainability is increasingly important in the cannabis industry, where regulatory standards are becoming more stringent and consumers are more conscious of environmental practices.
Bizzybee’s machines also are engineered with numerous safety features, including pressure relief valves, automated shut-off mechanisms, and robust construction to withstand high pressures and temperatures. These features enable operators to conduct extraction safely, protecting both staff and facilities. All systems are peer-review certified by third-party engineers for compliance.
No pumps are used in the making of Bizzybee extraction equipment. The systems are designed from the ground up to be run passively, using only heat and cold to cycle solvent from liquid to vapor and back again. By eliminating the need to operate and maintain a compressor, the system is simplified and runs faster. Whether using an electric chiller or Bizzybee’s own proprietary liquid CO2 cooling, the company claims to achieve three to six pounds per minute in butane recovery rate.
Founder’s expertise
While the performance of Bizzybee’s equipment speaks for itself, it’s worth noting the extensive experience that lives behind the brand. Combining his roots in the legacy industry with decades of experience in computer science and academia, Kogon got his start by making hash oil and posting the process on Instagram.
“After graduating from college, I started working at Microsoft,” he said.”But after years of selling pot on the side, I watched the industry start to legalize and it felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up on. So, I started learning to make hash oil on the side in the evenings.
“I was doing these late-night experiments with heat exchangers and chillers and liquid CO2 cooling, tinkering around and posting videos on Instagram,” he continued. “The first post went to about 100 followers. Then it was 1,000, 10,000, and it just grew exponentially from there.”
From 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Kogon spent his time conducting experiments and explaining them to people online. The openness about his process proved excellent for recognition and notoriety, but had a detrimental side-effect as his soon-to-be competitors began copying his ideas. This inspired him to found Bizzybee, and he’s never looked back.
Since then, Kogon has evolved into a leader in extraction technology, driven by a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of the extraction process. His entrepreneurial mindset, abundant curiosity, and dedication to excellence have been pivotal in developing Bizzybee’s cutting-edge systems.
From startups looking to make a mark to established operators seeking to scale, Bizzybee offers the tools and expertise to take production to the next level. According to Kogon, “With Bizzybee, you’re not just buying equipment. You’re investing in an ecosystem and a partnership that is dedicated to your future and ongoing success.”
