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Hivemapper, a Solana-based decentralized mapping network, has raised $32 million to expand its contributor ecosystem and scale distribution of Bee Maps devices—AI-powered dash cams that reward drivers with cryptocurrency for capturing real-time road data.
The funding round, announced Monday, was led by Pantera Capital, LDA Capital, Borderless Capital, and Ajna Capital, marking one of the largest DePIN-related investments of 2025″
Bee Maps operates within the Hivemapper network, leveraging blockchain to crowdsource accurate, up-to-date mapping data through drivers equipped with AI-enabled dash cams.
Bee Maps devices use computer vision models running on edge processors to identify and classify road features in real-time—detecting everything from new speed limit signs to potholes to illegally parked vehicles. The data is then validated through consensus mechanisms on the Solana blockchain before being integrated into map updates.
‘Our AI pipeline can identify and categorize road features within seconds of capture, compared to the weeks or months it takes traditional mapping companies to update their data,’ Seidman said.
The new capital injection underscores investor appetite for Bee Maps’ model of merging AI and blockchain to create a community-driven decentralized mapping network. In recent months, Bee Maps has collaborated with notable companies including Lyft and Volkswagen’s robotaxi division, supplying them with high-quality mapping data for next-generation mobility platforms.
“With this funding, we are accelerating global device deployments, expanding coverage, and strengthening our AI pipeline. Demand is not the problem, supply is,” said Ariel Seidman, co-founder of Hivemapper, in a press release.
Funds will be allocated toward expanding device distribution, improving AI models responsible for map feature recognition, and increasing incentives tied to the $HONEY token. Bee Maps aims to make its decentralized mapping network more accessible and efficient for contributors worldwide.
In a move designed to attract more participants, Bee Maps announced the launch of a Bee Membership plan—reducing the entry cost from approximately $600 to just $19 per month. This subscription model includes hardware, software, and contributor benefits, effectively lowering financial barriers and expanding the reach of its decentralized mapping network.
The plan also integrates directly into the Solana-powered Hivemapper ecosystem, allowing new contributors to quickly onboard and start earning $HONEY tokens for data contributions.
By combining affordable access, blockchain transparency, and AI-driven data collection, Bee Maps is positioning its decentralized mapping network as a disruptive alternative to traditional mapping systems controlled by centralized corporations.
As the decentralized mapping network continues to grow, Bee Maps represents a major step toward a future where mapping data is owned, shared, and monetized by its users rather than centralized tech giants.
The $32 million funding demonstrates not just investor faith in blockchain’s potential but also a belief in community-driven digital infrastructure as a foundation for the future of navigation and autonomous systems.
With its AI capabilities, strong partnerships, and an expanding contributor base, Bee Maps is poised to redefine how maps are built and maintained—ensuring accuracy, transparency, and shared value within the global decentralized mapping network.
