Ecology
Pollinator
An animal that transfers pollen between flowers, enabling plant reproduction. Major pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and bats.
Biological Context
About 75% of flowering plants depend on animal pollinators. Pollination is typically mutualistic—pollinators get food (nectar, pollen) while plants get reproduction. Pollinator decline threatens agricultural systems and wild plant communities.
Business Application
Business pollinators transfer value between parties—brokers, connectors, matchmakers. They benefit from facilitating exchanges. Venture capitalists pollinate startups with capital and connections; consultants pollinate companies with ideas from other industries.