Apinov
Apinov is a France-based beekeeping research and training center offering professional training courses, Varroa resistance testing, genetic analysis (BeeGenetics), queen and swarm sales, and consulting to professional beekeepers, associations, and food-industry clients across 15+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLagord, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Apinov does
Apinov is a France-based beekeeping research and training center that helps professional beekeepers improve their operations and protect honeybee populations. The firm is registered as Apinov SAS (RCS La Rochelle 494 936 420), headquartered in Lagord near La Rochelle, and operates as an independent private company with no disclosed external funding. Its stated mission centers on genetic selection of bees (notably Buckfast lines), with a particular focus on Varroa mite resistance, productivity, gentleness, and hygienic behavior.
The company runs a structured portfolio of training programs delivered through three formats: on-site at the La Rochelle facility, distance / online learning, and mixed digital formats. Training curricula span five categories: beekeeping discovery (initiation), selection and breeding, bee health, honey and royal jelly processing, and beekeeping management. Beyond training, Apinov generates revenue through queen and swarm sales via its boutique.apinov.com store, consulting and genetic audit projects (including international engagements in 15+ countries), laboratory research services such as Varroa resistance testing using a proprietary protocol based on the Milani (1995) / Beebook method modified by Lindberg (2000) and Maggi (2008), and DNA-based genetic analysis under the BeeGenetics service line. It also distributes Vita Bee Health products in France (since 2015/2017) and operates APILAB, a sub-brand offering environmental biomonitoring using honeybees.
Revenue is generated primarily through professional services (training, consulting, and research) supplemented by one-time product sales (queens, swarms) and distribution of third-party bee health products. Pricing is quote-based across three training modalities (inter-company, intra-enterprise, bespoke) and is funded through self-financing, Vivea funds, Pôle Emploi, OPCO, or direct corporate payment. Customer base spans professional beekeepers, the regional ADA development associations, NGOs, government and UN agencies (IICA, UNIDO), and enterprises in food, cosmetics, and beekeeping equipment (e.g., Nougat Chabert et Guillot, Léa Nature, Véto-pharma, ICKO Apiculture). Research collaborations with CNRS, University of Tours (IRBI), INRAE, and the University of La Rochelle provide academic validation, and the firm claims to be the first certified beekeeping training center.
Apinov firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Apinov
- Legal name
- Apinov SAS
- Website
- https://apinov.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Apinov is a France-based beekeeping research and training center offering professional training courses, Varroa resistance testing, genetic analysis (BeeGenetics), queen and swarm sales, and consulting to professional beekeepers, associations, and food-industry clients across 15+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Apinov industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Beekeeping Training and Research Services
- NAICS
- Apiculture (11291), Apiculture (112910), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beekeeping Training, Education & Advisory Services (AFAEAHAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bee Health Management & Treatments (Mite/Disease Control Products & Services) (AFAEAHAK), Bee Breeding & Genetics (Trait Selection, Stock Improvement) (AFAEAHAH), Apiary Management Services (Contract Beekeeping, Hive Maintenance) (AFAEAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Apinov is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lagord
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Apinov business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Training Services: Apinov generates revenue primarily through professional training courses for beekeepers. They offer multiple training categories: Selection-Breeding, Bee Health, Honey & Royal Jelly, and Beekeeping Management. Training is delivered in three formats: on-site at their La Rochelle center, distance/online learning, and mixed digital formats combining both.
- Queen and Swarm Sales: Sale of Buckfast queen bees and bee swarms produced through their genetic selection and breeding programs. The company operates an online store (boutique.apinov.com) for these products.
- Consulting and Technical Studies: Revenue from consulting projects and technical studies conducted in France and internationally, including genetic audits, breeding program development, and bee health assessments.
- Research Services: Varroa sensitivity/resistance testing services and other research-related services for beekeepers and industry partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Inter-Enterprise Training - Public scheduled sessions at Apinov center |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Intra-Enterprise Training - Private training for organizations |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Bespoke Training - Custom programs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Apinov product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Apinov is a beekeeping research and training center that provides professional training courses in selection-breeding, bee health, honey and royal jelly, beekeeping management, and beekeeping discovery, delivered on-site at its La Rochelle facility, via distance learning, or in mixed digital formats. It also conducts research services such as Varroa resistance testing and DNA-based genetic analysis (BeeGenetics), breeds and sells Buckfast queen bees and swarms, and distributes Vita Bee Health products in France.
Product overview
Apinov is a beekeeping research and training center offering a comprehensive portfolio of training courses, research services, and bee products. The company provides professional training in multiple formats: in-person at their La Rochelle facility, distance learning (e-learning and virtual classroom), and mixed digital formats combining online theory with practical sessions. Training categories include beekeeping discovery, selection and breeding, bee health, honey and royal jelly processing, and beekeeping business management. The company also operates research services including Varroa resistance testing and BeeGenetics (DNA/genetic analysis for bees), distributes Buckfast queens and swarms, and resells Vita Bee Health products in France. A sub-brand, APILAB, provides environmental biomonitoring services using honeybees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Professional Beekeeping Training (Selection-Breeding, Bee Health, Honey & Royal Jelly, Beekeeping Management, Beekeeping Discovery) Structured professional training courses covering five domains (selection-breeding, bee health, honey and royal jelly, beekeeping management, and beekeeping discovery) delivered on-site at the La Rochelle center, via distance learning (e-learning and virtual classroom), or in mixed digital formats combining online theory with practical sessions. The training is delivered in three commercial formats: inter-company public scheduled sessions, intra-enterprise private sessions for organizations, and bespoke custom programs. Funded through self-financing, Vivea funds, Pole Emploi, OPCO, or company financing. Available in French and English.
- BeeGenetics - DNA and Genetic Analysis Service Genetic analysis and DNA testing service for bees, providing genetic audits and selection plans for beekeepers to improve their stock. Used for breeding decisions and herd development.
- Varroa Resistance Testing Service Laboratory testing service evaluating Varroa mite sensitivity and resistance to acaricides (tau-fluvalinate and amitraz) using a standardized protocol based on the Milani (1995) method from the Beebook (Dietemann et al, 2013) modified by Lindberg et al (2000) and Maggi et al (2008), co-developed with Vita Bee Health. Used for pre- and post-treatment resistance diagnosis.
- Buckfast Queens and Swarms Sale of Buckfast bee queens and swarms bred for productivity, gentleness, hygienic behavior, and Varroa resistance, produced through Apinov's genetic selection program. Available through the online store at boutique.apinov.com.
- APILAB - Environmental Biomonitoring Using Honeybees Sub-brand service that installs beehives for local governments and private companies to evaluate environmental quality and support sustainable development policy assessment.
- Online Artificial Queen Insemination Training Course Online course on artificial insemination techniques for queen bee breeding, designed for professional queen producers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Trained beekeepers in 15+ countries with 50+ customer references demonstrating international reach and diverse clientele
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Apinov
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Apinov technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Apinov partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vita Bee Health (Vita Europe)coreSince early 2015, Apinov became the official distributor of Vita Europe products in France (except veterinary medicines). Since 2017, this is under Vita Bee Health brand. Products distributed include Beetle Blaster, Bee Gym, and AFB detection kits. They also jointly developed Varroa sensitivity/resistance testing tools.
- ONUDI (UNIDO)coreUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization partnership for international beekeeping development projects. Apinov provides technical expertise for UNIDO initiatives in developing countries.
- Nicolas Girard (Apiculture et Sélection)coreBeekeeper and Buckfast queen breeder, also a trainer for Apinov. Partner in production (queen and swarm breeding) and co-delivers training programs including professional queen production courses.
- La Miellerie de Titelle (Christelle Aubouin & Nicolas Girard)minorBeekeeping and honey production operation in Deux-Sèvres. Partner venue for pastry and confectionery training using honey. They host training sessions at their location.
- ICKO ApicultureminorLeading French beekeeping equipment supplier. Listed as a customer reference and useful link partner, suggesting mutual referral or collaboration relationship.
- SNA (Syndicat National d'Apiculture)coreNational beekeeping union, publisher of L'Abeille de France. Co-organizes trainer formation programs with virtual classroom sessions. SNA phone and contact details provided for training enrollment.
- ADA Network (ADANA, ADA AURA, ADA Nouvelle Aquitaine, ADA Occitanie, ADA Grand Est)minorBeekeeping development associations across French regions. Multiple ADA organizations are customers and partners for training and consulting projects.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreResearch partnership for Varroa sensitivity studies. Part of research collaboration that produced cartography of Varroa resistance across France.
- University of Tours / IRBIcoreAcademic research partner in Varroa resistance studies. Collaboration on modeling impact of Apivar treatment on Varroa populations.
- INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et lenvironnement)coreFrench national research institute for agriculture, food and environment. Listed as research partner in useful links section.
- University of La RochelleminorAcademic partner institution, listed as useful link and research partner.
- ApilabcoreApilab is a brand of Apinov company specializing in environmental biosurveillance using honeybees. Provides bee monitoring services for local governments and private companies.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Apinov competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vita Bee Health: Vita Bee Health develops and distributes natural products for honey bee health, including Varroa treatments and hive diagnostics. Apinov is its French distributor and co-developer of Varroa resistance testing tools, making them direct operational peers in bee health research and distribution.
- Bee Informed Partnership: US-based non-profit that runs research, diagnostics, and education programs for honey bee health and apiculture, with a strong Varroa and colony loss focus. It mirrors Apinov's combination of applied research (e.g. resistance testing, surveys) and educational programs for beekeepers.
Broad incumbents
- ICKO Apiculture: One of France's largest beekeeping equipment and consumables suppliers, serving the same professional beekeeper customer base as Apinov. Although focused on hardware rather than training, ICKO competes for the attention and wallet share of French professional beekeepers.
- Véto-pharma: Pharmaceutical company specializing in bee health products (Varroa treatments, diagnostics). Like Apinov, it serves professional beekeepers and runs research on bee health, operating as a broader incumbent in the honey bee health value chain.
- ADA France (network): National federation of regional beekeeping development associations (ADA Bretagne, ADA AURA, ADA Nouvelle Aquitaine, etc.). They aggregate regional training, genetic selection, and consulting services for beekeepers in France, overlapping significantly with Apinov's institutional training and consulting business.
- INRAE: France's national research institute for agriculture, food and environment. INRAE conducts deep research on bee health, genetics, and Varroa resistance and is a research partner of Apinov, but as a public R&D player it functions as a broad incumbent competing for the same scientific mandate and funding.
- CNRS: France's largest public scientific research organization and a research partner of Apinov on Varroa resistance. As a broad R&D incumbent, CNRS sets the underlying science Apinov translates into commercial services and training.
- University of Tours / IRBI: Academic partner of Apinov, with the IRBI laboratory co-publishing research on Varroa resistance and modeling of acaricide treatments. As a broad research incumbent, it competes for grants and visibility in the same bee-health research arena.
- Dadant: Long-established US-based beekeeping equipment and supply company with European reach. While primarily a hardware supplier, Dadant serves professional beekeepers and offers educational content, overlapping with Apinov's professional beekeeper training and queen/swarm catalog.
Others
- Apimondia: International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, which organizes the global Apimondia Congress referenced in Apinov's go-to-market. Apimondia functions as a peer ecosystem organizer and thought-leadership platform rather than a commercial trainer, but directly overlaps in international beekeeping convening.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Apinov social profiles
Digital presenceApinov financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Apinov leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Apinov subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Apinov funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Apinov M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Apinov
What does Apinov do?
Apinov is a beekeeping research and training center that provides professional training courses in selection-breeding, bee health, honey and royal jelly, beekeeping management, and beekeeping discovery, delivered on-site at its La Rochelle facility, via distance learning, or in mixed digital formats. It also conducts research services such as Varroa resistance testing and DNA-based genetic analysis (BeeGenetics), breeds and sells Buckfast queen bees and swarms, and distributes Vita Bee Health products in France.
Is Apinov a public or private company?
Apinov is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Apinov founded?
Apinov was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Apinov based?
Apinov is headquartered in Lagord, France, in the Europe region.
How does Apinov make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Professional Training Services are the primary driver. The others are queen and Swarm Sales, consulting and Technical Studies and research Services.
Who are Apinov's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vita Bee Health and Bee Informed Partnership. Broad incumbents are ICKO Apiculture, Véto-pharma, ADA France (network), INRAE, CNRS, University of Tours / IRBI and Dadant. Apimondia is listed as an others.
Does Apinov have an API?
No public API is recorded for Apinov.
What industry is Apinov in?
Apinov's product category is Beekeeping Training and Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEAHAO, Beekeeping Training, Education & Advisory Services, with a secondary code of AFAEAHAK, Bee Health Management & Treatments (Mite/Disease Control Products & Services). Its NAICS code is 11291 and its SIC code is 8200.