Key Takeaways
- ToBe introduces HiveMaster, a precision IoT device aimed at protecting honeybees from Varroa mites.
- HiveMaster delivers highly effective anti-Varroa treatment without harmful chemical residues.
- The device has shown superior efficacy, improved honey yields, and stronger colony vitality in independent trials.
- ToBe launches Series A funding round to scale HiveMaster globally, addressing pollination and food security challenges.
- The company plans to expand its smart hive ecosystem and pursue strategic partnerships across agricultural supply chains.
ToBe Launches HiveMaster to Tackle Bee Colony Collapse Crisis
Agri-tech company ToBe has officially unveiled HiveMaster, an IoT-powered device designed to protect honeybee colonies by combating the Varroa mite, a leading cause of global bee population declines. The device aims to bolster the resilience of bees, enhance pollination strength, and support global food security.
With honeybee populations facing increasing threats globally, HiveMaster presents an opportunity to revolutionize how beekeepers manage hive health, significantly reducing labor and chemical exposure associated with traditional mite-control methods.
Advanced Technology Meets Precision Beekeeping
HiveMaster automates Varroa mite treatment through finely controlled pulses of anti-mite treatment delivered in gas form. Unlike traditional methods, which rely heavily on manual applications and pesticide residues, ToBe’s system employs integrated sensors, artificial intelligence, and real-time data analytics, ensuring precise and residue-free treatment.
Independent trials conducted in 2024 by a prominent American university’s Department of Entomology demonstrated HiveMaster’s remarkable effectiveness. The results confirmed a 95% efficacy rate—over twice as effective as traditional beehive strips (e.g., Apivar)—while consistently maintaining hive vitality and significantly improving honey yields by 30%.
Industry Experts Praise HiveMaster’s Effectiveness
The beekeeping community has warmly received HiveMaster. A commercial beekeeper from the U.S. commented positively, stating, “ToBe’s solution offers a highly effective and urgently needed alternative. The colonies treated with HiveMaster are the best colonies we have.”
Likewise, the chairman of a major honey producers’ association noted strong interest from its members, representing nearly half a million hives, primarily due to HiveMaster’s exceptional performance and reduced reliance on chemical miticides.
Scaling for Global Impact through Investment Round
Following successful product stabilization and market readiness, ToBe is now actively raising funds through a Series A investment round to accelerate the global rollout of HiveMaster.
Eric Joely, CEO of ToBe, emphasized the broader importance of this initiative, saying, “Our world depends on bees more than most realize. We developed HiveMaster to give beekeepers the power to protect their colonies without harming the bees, honey, or environment. We’re opening this investment round to scale a solution that supports global food security and renews an industry under siege.”
Future Expansion and Strategic Partnerships
Beyond HiveMaster, ToBe is expanding its smart hive ecosystem to include additional pest control features, hive performance analytics, and yield forecasting tools. The company is also exploring partnerships with large-scale agricultural producers and agri-tech firms to integrate HiveMaster into broader supply chains and pollination management systems.
“HiveMaster’s plug-and-play unit installs in under a minute, is flood-proof, propolis-resistant, and compatible with 95% of global hive frames,” explained Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe. It communicates effortlessly with external solar-powered units and smartphone apps, providing beekeepers with real-time updates, remote diagnostics, and optimized treatment schedules.
With regulatory approval secured in Israel and advanced applications underway in key international markets, ToBe positions itself for rapid global expansion of HiveMaster, aiming to protect honeybee colonies and secure global agricultural systems for the future.
