The Buzz Behind Patrice's Business

In the heart of Kenya, where agriculture and sustainable practices intertwine, one entrepreneur stands out as a beacon of innovation. Patrice Wachira, the founder of Patvention Limited, is not your typical business owner. Her journey from beekeeping enthusiast to the mastermind behind an environmentally conscious venture is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Roots in Recycling

Founded in 2018, Patvention embarked on a path less travelled in the world of beekeeping. Instead of following the conventional route, Patrice opted for a more sustainable approach. She recycles rice husks, plastic, and sawdust to craft environmentally friendly beehives that serve as the cornerstone for their modern beekeeping operations. This pioneering endeavour not only supports the environment but also aids in ensuring the longevity of beekeeping ventures.

Empowering Women in Beekeeping

Patvention's commitment to sustainable beekeeping transcends beyond eco-friendly beehives. Traditionally, beekeeping has been dominated by men. Patrice recognized this gender imbalance and decided to challenge stereotypes. Through dedicated training programs, she is empowering women to excel in this field.

Beekeeping, when done right, offers numerous benefits. Besides producing honey, bees play a pivotal role in pollinating plants, an essential aspect of plant reproduction and increasing crop yields. Patrice is on a mission to share this knowledge with women and provide them with the tools they need to make a positive impact on the environment and their communities.

Product Portfolio

Patvention offers a diverse product portfolio that includes beehives designed for quality, affordability, bee-friendliness, and environmental sustainability. With a staggering 70% of Kenyans engaged in farming, there is vast potential for increasing the number of beekeepers in the country, which is currently at 20%.

Kenya produces approximately 7,300 tons of honey annually, yet the demand for this golden nectar exceeds 100,000 tons each year and continues to grow. Patvention is addressing this demand-supply gap through its focus on increasing the number of beekeepers and improving the quality of honey production.

Tackling Beekeeping Challenges Head-On

Patvention set out to address several critical challenges within the beekeeping industry:

1. Availability of Environmentally Friendly Beehives: By crafting eco-friendly beehives from recycled materials, Patvention offers a sustainable solution that benefits both the environment and beekeepers.
2. High Beehive Costs: Through their innovative recycling methods, Patvention has significantly reduced the production cost of beehives, making beekeeping more accessible.
3. Inadequate Skills and Knowledge: Patvention trains and equips beekeepers with essential skills and knowledge, empowering them to succeed.
4. Limited Access to Modern Beekeeping Equipment: Through training and partnerships, Patvention ensures that beekeepers have access to the right tools to thrive in their business.
5. Limited Access to Markets: Beyond training and production, Patvention connects beekeepers with markets, ensuring they can sell their honey.

Ingenious Bee Venom Collection

Patrice's journey took an even more innovative turn when she responded to a community request to collect bee venom without harming the bees. To meet this unique challenge, Patrice designed an ingenious machine capable of safely extracting bee venom while preserving the bees' well-being and the venom's purity.

This invention quickly caught the attention of local and international farmers, with over ten of them purchasing the device. Recognizing the value of her invention, Patrice took the necessary steps to secure her intellectual property, initiating a patent application process with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute. The patent was granted in August 2023, solidifying Patrice's position as an entrepreneurial force to be reckoned with in the beekeeping industry.

Support from Ongoza: A Game-Changer for Patvention

While Patrice's journey is undoubtedly inspiring, it was not without its fair share of challenges. Financial management and the identification of a target customer base presented significant hurdles. Maintaining accurate financial records was a struggle, affecting the company's ability to make informed decisions. Ongoza's intervention provided a turning point.

Through Ongoza's guidance, Patrice overcame these hurdles. She gained access to user-friendly financial tracking tools, resolving the financial record-keeping challenge. Furthermore, Ongoza conducted a thorough evaluation of Patvention's business, providing valuable insights into the company's worth.

Ongoza played a pivotal role in helping Patvention define its ideal customer base, leading to a clearer understanding of its clients. The organization's marketing expertise helped establish a solid digital presence for Patvention across various social media platforms.

Impact on the Community, Farmers, and the Environment

The ripple effects of Patvention's success are far-reaching. It goes beyond boosting their business bottom line. As Patvention continues to expand, its focus includes training more women in recycling, beekeeping, and vertical farming, especially aimed at farmers with smaller land holdings. This approach fosters entrepreneurship within this group. By making beekeeping more accessible and sustainable, Patvention plays a pivotal role in enhancing Kenya's environmental health and empowering local communities.

In conclusion, Patrice's journey from a beekeeping enthusiast to a pioneering eco-entrepreneur is a testament to the power of innovation and the positive impact that can be achieved through dedication and hard work. Patvention's mission to revolutionize beekeeping and empower women is a source of inspiration and hope for both the Kenyan community and the environment. The recognition and support from Ongoza have undoubtedly been instrumental in accelerating her journey towards success.

About Ongoza.

Ongoza is an Entrepreneur Support Organization, our vision is to solve the twin problems affecting Kenya's youth: Unemployment and Small Business Failure. Our mission is to support youth in growing and scaling their ventures into successful businesses and ensure that entrepreneurship is recognized as a key driver of long-term economic development in Kenya.

We work towards ensuring that young entrepreneurs secure sustainable income, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the overall strengthening of local communities. Click here to learn more about our programs.