Worldwide
From Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to Digital Bridge: ‘Beelieve’ Transforms Beekeeping in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan on November 14, 2025
Over the past five years, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program in Kazakhstan has supported numerous youth-led innovations in various fields, from medicine to sports, education and agriculture. A highlight among these is “Beelieve” — a smart beekeeping solution developed by three students from Taraz, a city in southern Kazakhstan. After earning third place in the 2024 competition, the team continued refining their modular hive-monitoring system, which tracks humidity, temperature, weight and bee activity while using AI to analyze hive conditions and enable remote management. Their project addresses major challenges facing beekeepers in the region, such as parasite outbreaks, pesticide exposure and environmental changes.
The team initially developed Beelieve based on extensive field research with local beekeepers, many of whom manage more than 100 hives and often rely on manual checks. These insights shaped their early prototypes and motivated them to persist through multiple attempts at Solve for Tomorrow before reaching the finals. Their participation provided important guidance in areas such as design thinking, as well as valuable networking opportunities with experts and peers. Following the competition, the students paused development to complete university entrance exams but resumed work in 2025.
Upon returning to the project, Beelieve achieved several milestones, including winning Infomatrix-Asia 2025 competition and joining United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP). Through this accelerator, the team shifted from building full smart hives to designing modular units compatible with existing hive structures — a more cost-effective and scalable approach for beekeepers who already have established colonies. Prize funding from Solve for Tomorrow helped them refine their hardware and develop their own AI model for more advanced hive monitoring.
Beelieve’s momentum continued in October at the first AI Sana Generative Nation competition, held within the Digital Bridge International Forum. After progressing through several rounds, the team secured first place and a prize of 5 million tenge. They also attended the forum’s plenary session and the opening of Kazakhstan’s International Center for Artificial Intelligence, where they engaged with worldwide figures in technology and investment. These experiences broadened their perspective on the country’s innovation landscape and reinforced their commitment to advancing the project.
Looking ahead, Beelieve is preparing for a pilot launch with apiaries in the Akmola and Almaty regions. The team is now working under the direct mentorship of Kazakhstan’s former Minister of Digital Development and collaborating with the National Beekeepers’ Union to present Beelieve at the National Beekeepers’ Congress in 2026.
