Israeli robotic beehive maker Beewise raises $80 million to save bees from climate change

Did you know that more than 30% of the global food supply relies on bees for pollination? Did you also know that climate change reduces the abundance and diversity of wild bees? According to a report published by a team of researchers from Penn State University, wild bees are more affected by climate change than by disturbances to their habitats.

The findings suggest that climate change is a significant factor contributing to the decline in pollinator populations. Each year, more than 30 percent of honeybee colonies disappear primarily due to climate change. Bees are dying and most people just go on with their lives.

To reverse this trend, it is imperative that we, air-breathers, know the importance of this species and start paying more attention to how we save them from extinction. That’s why Israel-based robotic tech startup and maker of the robotic beehive Beewise is on a mission to save the bees from climate change. In the past year alone, Beewise has saved over 160 million bees using its robotic Beehome device.

Today, Beewise announced it has raised $80 million in a private funding round led by New York-based private equity firm Insight Partners, with participation from Fortissimo Capital, Corner Ventures, lool ventures, Atooro Fund, Meitav Dash Investments Ltd, and Sanad Abu Dhabi.

The latest round brings the company’s total funds to date to $120 million, it said, adding the new financing will go towards meeting the rising demand for its robotic beehives.

Founded in 2018 by CEO Saar Safra, Boaz Petersil, Eliyah Radzyner, Hallel Schreier, and Yossi Sorin, Beewise is the maker of the world’s first robotic beehive. Its Beehome device houses 24 colonies, allowing beekeepers to remotely treat their hives and care for bees.

“Our entire global food supply is being threatened by a devastating collapse of the world’s honeybee population. Beewise impressed us as the only solution addressing every complex issue that is contributing to the collapse,” said Daniel Aronovitz, principal at Insight Partners. “Not only have we funded a company with a fantastic business model; it also addresses one of the biggest challenges our planet is facing.”

Climate controlled and using automated harvesting, the robotic beehives – sheds that are populated by bees and used by farmers – are powered by solar panels. Using artificial technologies (AI), beekeepers can detect threats, such as pests and pesticides, to a honeybee colony.

It is noted that pollination is crucial to life on the planet since 30% of the global food supply and more than 70% of vegetables, fruit, seeds, and nuts are pollinated by bees.

 “We are the only company on the planet that is deploying precision robotics in tandem with the world’s most innovative technologies including AI and computer vision in order to save the bees,” stated Saar Safra, CEO and co-founder of Beewise. “Our Beewise team is thrilled to be supported by an incredible roster of investors for our Series C who understand our dedication, tenacity, and passion towards succeeding in saving the bees and reversing the trend of the bee colony collapse.”

Beewise CEO Saar Safra

Below is a video of Beewise.