Bee Maps Secures $32M to Expand Decentralized Mapping Network on Solana

Bee Maps, a decentralized mapping platform built on the Hivemapper network, has raised $32 million in fresh funding to accelerate its global expansion and strengthen its AI-driven mapping infrastructure. The investment round was led by Pantera Capital, LDA Capital, Borderless Capital, and Ajna Capital, marking one of the largest financings in the decentralized physical infrastructure (DePin) sector in 2025.

Bee Maps leverages Hivemapper’s AI-powered dash cams to crowdsource real-time road data. Drivers equipped with these devices contribute street-level imagery and updates such as new road signs, construction zones, and detours. In return, contributors are rewarded with Bee Maps’ native token, $HONEY, making it one of the fastest-growing decentralized data ecosystems on Solana. This model ensures constantly updated maps without relying on centralized entities like Google Maps or Apple Maps.

The new funding will be used to deploy more devices, enhance AI models, and boost contributor incentives. Co-founder Ariel Seidman emphasized that demand is high and the main challenge lies in scaling supply. To attract more participants, Bee Maps is introducing a Bee Membership plan that lowers the entry barrier—reducing upfront costs from nearly $600 to just $19 per month. The plan bundles hardware, software, and contributor benefits, making it easier for new users to join and earn rewards.

Bee Maps’ recent collaborations with Lyft and Volkswagen’s robotaxi program highlight growing industry confidence in decentralized mapping solutions. As Bee Maps expands, it aims to redefine how mapping data is collected, maintained, and monetized, proving that AI and blockchain can transform real-world infrastructure through community-driven innovation.