Honey harvesting startup to go global at upcoming Copenhagen congress

Beekeeping products startup HiveKeepers, which hosted an oversubscribed Kickstarter campaign earlier this year to get into production, will showcase its Micro Honey Harvester at the international Apimondia 2025 International Apicultural Congress next month.

Apimondia 2025 will be held from September 23 to 27 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is described as an event bringing together “beekeepers, scientists, honey-traders, agents for development, technicians and legislators”.

HiveKeepers is currently commercialising the Harvester, which is a new, Australian-made method of harvesting honey for hobbyists and beekeepers, following five years of research and development. The Copenhagen show represents a chance to launch the product internationally as well as a chance to reach international collaborators, according to the company.

“We are proud to represent Australian innovation at the highest level,” said CEO and Founder Simon Mildren. 

“Our mission has always been to create tools that make life easier for beekeepers while supporting the long-term health and sustainability of bees worldwide. This is just the beginning.” 

HiveKeepers was also invited to present two academic submissions on honey fraud at the event. 

Mildren said that this issue represents a growing global concern, “damaging for beekeepers, consumers and the industry”.

He added: “Our research focuses on practical solutions that can help protect both the quality of honey and the livelihoods of beekeepers who work so hard to produce it.”

According to the company – which has its system manufactured by a contractor in Collingwood, Victoria – the harvester transforms both how honey is harvested and experienced, “removing unnecessary handling and processing to allow “beekeepers to deliver honey that is fresher, cleaner and closer to nature.” 

Last May, Hivekeepers reached its crowdfunding target for the Micro Honey Harvester within 45 minutes of launch. The following month it was named the Best Early Stage Company at the Australian Agritech Awards.

Picture: supplied

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