Back-to-back Wins: Project Hive Takes Home Prestigious Industry Awards for Outstanding Dog Toy Innovation
As a small business, Project Hive Pet Company works diligently to differentiate itself in a crowded market of dog toys. While our company was created to use business as a force for good—and we do stand out for our mission to save the bees, manufacturing our toys in the USA, and our commitment to sustainability—all of our goodness won’t make a difference if our products aren’t loved (and purchased) by customers. Because product is always king (or queen, as we like to say).
That’s why we’re thrilled to have won two different dog toy awards in 2025: one is the Pet Age Vanguard Award for Innovation for our Hive Zoomer dog toy launcher, and one from Pet Insight for our Hive Disc + Lick Mat. These awards are testament that our products are valued in the marketplace.
What’s the Pet Age Vanguard Award?
According to Pet Age, “The Vanguard Awards were designed to honor and celebrate those individuals, teams, and organizations paving the way for products that bring new ideas to life in innovative ways. Those being recognized may have created a completely new category or improved upon a previously established concept; either way, we’re proud to spotlight these groundbreaking advancements and contributions in their respective pet categories. This recognition signifies not only the quality of a pet brand’s offerings but also the company’s relentless pursuit of excellence, continued improvement and innovation in the pet industry’s highly competitive markets.”
Glenn Polyn, Editor at Pet Age, goes on to explain why Pet Age launched its inaugural Vanguard Awards: “Pet Age is excited to reveal the recipients of the 2025 Vanguard Awards program, which recognizes outstanding innovations and, in the process, encourages companies to continue to invest in innovations. These 40 pet companies are responsible for products that are driving the pet industry with creativity and intelligence, and we hope that they can inspire future outstanding products that drive positive impacts on companion animals, consumers and the planet.”
Why did the Hive Zoomer win Pet Age’s award for innovation?
The Hive Zoomer dog toy launcher is a USA-made dog toy launcher designed to make fetch much easier and more fun for dogs and their pet parents. For humans, the Hive Zoomer enables kids, seniors, or those who suffer from shoulder, arm, or wrist pain to throw amazingly far with remarkably accurate aim. Its patented power curve design ensures smooth, far-flying throws, whether tossed underhand or launched overhand. Picking up the toy requires no bending over and no contact with dirt or slobber.
For dogs, the toys are designed with small ridges, so any size of canine can easily grasp and hold them for a game of fetch. The attached rope makes it easier—and more fun—for dogs to retrieve the toy on land, in water, or in the air. And several Looped Toys can be picked up and thrown together to exercise more than one dog at a time!
Feedback from customers has been tremendous. From “it’s a Godsend” to “this is my dog’s absolute favorite toy,” people of all ages and abilities have found new joy in exercising their dog.
Thank you to Glenn Polyn and Pet Age for this recognition!
What’s the Pet Insight Vanguard Award?
Pet Insight is celebrating its 13th annual Vanguard Awards Recipients, which recognizes outstanding companies across the pet industry that drive growth and trust. According to their press release, “Since 2012, the awards celebrate not just product excellence but also company mission, industry relationships and contributions to supporting pets and pet owners. Pet Insight has been honoring industry leaders yearly since it first debuted the Vanguard Awards in 2012, with an eye toward overall performance, presence and incremental category leadership.” Pet Insight’s Publisher Davis Johnson goes on to explain: “Many industry awards are tailored toward recognizing the next new thing, and while innovation is undoubtedly a key driver in growth, what we sought to celebrate with the Vanguard Awards – at its very onset – was a more timeless mode of leadership that is guided by the notion that our collective successes in serving pets and pet owners are fundamentally rooted in strong partnerships and a collaborative spirit.”
With a recognition that the economy in 2025 has been challenging for many pet companies, this year’s winners “are not immune to the uncertainties of the current global market, but they continue to inspire resilience and demonstrate a growth path forward, guided by integrity and a desire to ultimately make the pet industry better.” Johnson continues, “These are qualities that are hard to perceive at surface level. The advantage that we at Pet Insight enjoy, with the benefit of our many years of collaboration with these manufacturers, is we’ve been on their journeys with them. We relish the opportunity to highlight these brands, and it’s all the more meaningful to celebrate each other’s successes.”
Why did the Hive Disc & Lick Mat win the innovation award for Lick Mats?
To put it simply, we saw the opportunity to combine two products into one: a disc and lick mat. The disc is a superb glider, even if you don’t have a dog and want to play outside with a friend! But the lick mat category has been growing since pet parents have discovered that it engages their dogs and can help soothe their anxiety. The bee-inspired honeycomb pattern calms dogs as they lick whatever treat is given—peanut butter, yogurt, cheese (see our social media posts for other ideas)—which keeps dogs engaged and relaxed for a longer period of time. It can also serve as a shallow water bowl—perfect for travel! Dog parents don’t have to buy a lick mat and a disc; they get two for the price of one. It’s also unique because it’s made in the USA, it’s 100% recyclable, and it floats in water. In addition to the original unscented yellow version, for enhanced engagement, try out the bee-inspired scented toys in calming lavender, soothing vanilla, or wild berry!
Thank you to Katie Murdoch and the Pet Insight staff for this honor!
