Primal Bee closes its first seed round and ships the first commercial batch

As bee populations continue to decline, ecosystems and food security are at risk, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. Bees play an essential role in pollinating crops and maintaining biodiversity, yet current beekeeping methods are proving inadequate in protecting them. Against this background, Ticino-based startup Primal Bee offers a solution that could make a substantial difference, benefiting both beekeepers and the environment. Co-founded by Alex Gamberoni, Gianmario Riganti and Tomer Moldovan, the startup has developed a new standard hive that reduces colony losses, increases honey production and cuts maintenance costs. The company recently celebrated the successful closure of its first seed funding round and shipped its first commercial batch of innovative beehives.

The solution: a beehive designed with bees in mind

The inspiration behind Primal Bee came from Gianmario and Alex’s experience as amateur beekeepers. "For three years, we lost all our bees," says Alex. "We soon realized the traditional hive, unchanged for over 150 years, wasn’t designed with the bees in mind, but for human convenience, particularly for transportation." After years of research and prototyping, the Primal Bee new standard hive was born, a product tailored to the needs of the bees themselves, resulting in healthier and more productive colonies.

Extensive field testing in over 20 locations across Europe and the U.S. has demonstrated the effectiveness of Primal Bee’s design, reducing colony losses to just 10% while doubling bee populations and honey production. The hive’s enhanced thermodynamic efficiency and insulation are key factors in its success, reducing human intervention and maintenance costs by up to 70%. “By improving thermal efficiency and airflow, we’ve allowed bees to do what they do best: grow and produce honey. In this way, beekeepers can focus on scaling their operations,” explains Alex.

First seed round and shipment of a 300-unit commercial batch

The recent shipment of Primal Bee’s first commercial batch marks a major achievement for the startup. Produced in partnership with Italian manufacturer Bazzica Srl, known for their expertise in expanded polystyrene (EPS), the initial batch of 352 hives has been distributed to Israel, Switzerland, Germany, France, and the United States. Made from 100% recyclable EPS, the hives are eco-friendly, durable, and highly efficient. This shipment is just the beginning of Primal Bee’s global expansion, as the company has its sights set on entering new markets where beekeeping innovations are in high demand, including Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.

The recent seed round, which exceeded initial expectations, provides the financial backing needed for this expansion. Although the specific funding amount remains undisclosed, the investment will support increased production and pilot projects in Israel and the U.S.

A new paradigm in beekeeping

With patents secured in key regions, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, applications pending in other countries, and other patents in preparation for further improvements on specific features and to enhance IP protection, Primal Bee plans to initiate additional pilot projects in Israel. These projects will further validate the hive’s innovative design and performance under diverse conditions. "We’ve achieved significant breakthroughs with bees that have yet to be documented in scientific literature,” Alex notes. “Our goal is to publish our findings, contributing to the scientific community and demonstrating the validity of our approach."

Looking ahead, Primal Bee is preparing for its next equity funding round, expected in 2025. The goal is to replace the outdated traditional beehives with a modern, efficient, and bee-centric design on a global scale. “The beehive design hasn’t changed since the 19th century,” says Alex. “Our ambition is to become the new global standard in beekeeping, adding More Bees on The Trees.”

(Luca Calderara)