The Bee Corp

The Bee Corp. was an Indianapolis-based agricultural technology company that developed Verifli, a proprietary software platform designed to optimize crop pollination. The system utilized infrared imagery, data analytics, and smartphone-based mobile applications to non-invasively measure hive strength and bee colony size. By replacing traditional, labor-intensive manual inspections with these automated diagnostic tools, the technology enabled commercial beekeepers and growers to make data-driven management decisions regarding hive health and placement. The company was founded in 2016 by Indiana University alumni Ellie Symes and Wyatt Wells and operated for eight years before dissolving in 2024.

This technology was particularly valuable to commercial growers, such as almond farmers in California, who rely on healthy bee populations to sustain crop yields. By providing accurate insights into hive health, the solution helped reduce operational costs for beekeepers and improved the efficiency of pollination services. Throughout its operation, the startup raised over $3 million in total investment and grant funding, including support from the National Science Foundation. Following the company's dissolution, its Verifli technology was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Carl Hayden Bee Research Center for further use and development.