Tune in to this exclusive fireside chat with Benjamin David Novak, Angel Investor & Partner at Morgan Lewis, and Saar Safra, CEO of Beewise – the groundbreaking startup revolutionizing the future of beekeeping through AI-powered technology. Beewise is at the forefront of using robotics and artificial intelligence to tackle the global decline in bee populations, helping to ensure sustainable food systems and protect biodiversity.
In this session, Saar shares the story behind Beewise’s innovative autonomous beehive system, and how they’re using cutting-edge technology to solve critical environmental challenges. He also discusses key lessons learned in building and scaling a mission-driven startup in the agtech space.
- How to identify high-impact problems and develop tech-driven solutions.
- The role of technology in modernizing traditional industries like agriculture.
- Key strategies for securing investment in sustainable tech.
- Navigating the challenges of scaling a profitable deep-tech startup while creating a positive environmental impact.
- Insights into building a culture of innovation, resilience, and adaptability in a mission-driven startup.
Beewise is the sixth company I founded or helped found. I have dealt with many challenges along my career, but designing technology that can keep bees alive is the hardest hurdle I have faced thus far. Five years’ worth of R&D yielded an amazing solution that keeps getting better every day, mostly due to machine learning and reinforcement learning...
After tasting a life that has an impact, it is hard to go back. Any one of us can apply our talent, skills, and expertise towards any idea or venture. However, applying ourselves towards something meaningful for the planet and humanity – leaving a better world to our children — is self-inspiring, self-motivating, and extremely gratifying.
Saar, CEO & Co-Founder at Beewise, is a seasoned entrepreneur. He started his career as a software developer; in 2001 he became CTO of Ad4Ever which was acquired by aQuantive where he served as GM & VP of Rich Media. In 2007 aQuantive was acquired by Microsoft, where Saar served as Director of Rich Media solutions until 2008, when he left and founded ActiveBuilding, a pioneer in PropTech. ActiveBuilding was then acquired by RealPage in 2013. Saar has had three successful exits from the five companies he founded or joined prior to founding Beewise. Saar received his MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.
Benjamin David Novak is an active angel investor in early stage technology companies located on the East Coast of the United States. In addition to being an angel investor, Ben is a partner and venture capital lawyer with Morgan Lewis where he represents technology and life science companies, angel investors, venture capital funds, and private equity firms. He is an active member of the venture community, serving on numerous advisory boards and regularly speaking at tech events, judging venture conferences, and lecturing on technology, entrepreneurship, and investing at colleges and universities.
Zainab is a research associate at Cleantech Group covering topics including grid resiliency, small modular reactors, fusion, long duration energy storage and other topics in Energy and Power.
Prior to joining Cleantech Group, Zainab has researched circular economy solutions including evaluating recycling challenges and reuse systems, identifying collection strategies for marine plastics, and collaborating with informal waste worker collectives.
Zainab earned her Undergraduate Degrees in Physics and English from Binghamton University
