Beelife

Beelife has developed a connected and self-sufficient beehive, the CoCoon, to combat the mortality of bee colonies. Founded by Pascal Nuti, the French startup's primary innovation is a hive that incorporates a solar-powered thermal regulation system. This system can heat the hive to approximately 42°C, a temperature lethal to the parasitic Varroa mite—a major contributor to colony collapse—but harmless to the bees. The technology aims to provide a chemical-free, ecological solution to protect bee health.

The CoCoon hive is targeted at three main customer segments: existing apiarists, individuals interested in starting beekeeping, and those focused on increasing local biodiversity. Beyond parasite control, the connected hive can send alerts to beekeepers if the hive is disturbed and monitor internal conditions like activity and temperature, providing valuable data for hive management. The company won a Best of Innovation award at the 2019 CES convention in the eco-design and sustainability category.

The business model is based on a one-time purchase of the hive, which includes the electrical system and solar panels, without a recurring subscription fee. This contrasts with some competitors and is designed to pay for itself over two years by preserving bee populations that would otherwise be lost. Beelife is part of a broader environmental focus by its associates, who are also involved in a project to create drinkable water and reduce plastic consumption.

Keywords: agritech, beekeeping, smart beehive, Varroa mite treatment, bee health, sustainable agriculture, IoT, remote monitoring, colony collapse disorder, ecological pest control, CES Innovation Award, biodiversity, apiary technology, solar-powered hive, environmental tech, pollinator protection