Developed chemical-free hyperthermia systems for Varroa control in beehives
Lifehive AG
Winterthur (Stadthausstrasse 14)New on Amplifa
About Lifehive
Lifehive (formerly Vatorex) was a company founded in 2016 in Winterthur, Switzerland, that developed a chemical-free method for combating the Varroa mite. The system consists of heated brood comb frames with an embedded heating element as well as a brood chamber (Langstroth) with a control unit that heats the frames to 42 °C for three hours. This kills the mites while bees and brood survive. Power is supplied solar via panel and battery, or alternatively via 110-V/230-V mains power; the product was sold as a complete kit. After a presentation at CES 2025, the launch was planned via Kickstarter; in May 2025, liquidation proceedings were completed. The company last employed around 9 staff.
- Site
- Winterthur
- Processes
- Chemical-free Varroa control using hyperthermia (heated brood comb frames, 42 °C for 3 hours), Brood Chamber (Langstroth) with control unit, Solar operation with battery; alternatively mains operation 110V/230V, Complete kit incl. solar panel and battery
- Materials
- Hyperthermia treatment
- Certificates
- Patents
- Founded
- 2016
- Employees
- 9
- Industries
- AgTech, Beekeeping/Apiculture, Beekeeping/Population protection (apiculture), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Other agricultural products
- 01
Development of the heated brood frames
- 02
Manufacturing/integration of the heating elements
- 03
Assembly of brood chamber and control unit
- 04
Distribution as a complete kit (solar panel, battery)
- 05
Use by beekeepers for Varroa control
Technology and Processes
Hyperthermia treatment
Heating the brood combs to 42 °C for 3 hours kills Varroa mites without the use of chemicals.
Location
Winterthur (Home of Innovation)
CHHeadquarters and registered office
Industries
Additional services
Quality and Patents
The company held several patents, including patents for Varroa control through hyperthermia and an application for a beehive with clamping mechanism (6 granted, 1 pending).
| Evidence | Winterthur |
|---|---|
| Patents |
History
- 2016
Founding (formerly Vatorex); Seed Round of USD 100'000 on 07.12.2016
- 2017
Additional seed funding of USD 100'000 on 28.04.2017
- 2019
Grant funding on 28.05.2019
- 2020
Further grants as well as angel investment
- 2021
Accelerator/incubator program on 27.05.2021
- 2022
Later-stage VC financing on 06.10.2022
- 2025
Presentation at CES in Las Vegas (February); planned Kickstarter launch in March; liquidation/bankruptcy completed on 22.05.2025