Bees are essential to global food production, yet their survival is under threat. More than one-third of the world’s crops depend on pollination, but nearly 40% of bee colonies collapse every year, according to California-based startup Beewise. Climate change — with its stronger storms, more frequent wildfires, and rising pesticide use — is one of the biggest culprits.
The modern wooden beehive, invented in the mid-1800s, hasn’t changed much in nearly two centuries. While simple and functional, these boxes offer little protection against today’s environmental challenges. Beewise wants to change that with a high-tech approach.
The company has developed BeeHome, an AI-driven, robotic beehive designed to protect and nurture colonies. Unlike traditional hives, BeeHome is equipped with cameras and sensors that constantly monitor the bees. AI software then analyzes the data to understand each hive’s condition and respond in real time.
“A robotic beehive works just like a traditional one — it uses the same frames and houses the same bees,” explained Beewise CEO Saar Safra. “But inside, cameras track the colony and the robot responds. If food is scarce, it dispenses more. If the hive needs medicine, it delivers it. If temperatures swing or a storm hits, the system keeps conditions stable.”
That kind of protection is critical. Just last year, hurricanes Helene and Milton wiped out thousands of commercial hives across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
BeeHome units cost roughly the same as wooden hives but can manage up to 10 colonies each, reducing labor demands. Future versions could handle 40 or more hives at once — a leap that excites investors. “That’s where you see scale, efficiency, and profits from the same initial investment,” said John Caddedu, co-founder and general partner at Corner Ventures.
So far, results are promising. Beewise says BeeHome reduces colony losses by 70% and produces healthier, more resilient bees. Thousands of the robotic hives are already in use, with adoption accelerating quickly. Safra notes that revenue, customer growth, and device deployment are all climbing, with gross margins at around 40%.
The company has raised $170 million in funding to date from backers including Corner Ventures, Insight Partners, Fortissimo, Lool Ventures, and APG.
Beewise’s mission is simple but ambitious: to use AI and robotics to give bees a fighting chance against climate change — and, in doing so, safeguard the global food supply.
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