Gender In Focus: Kenyan entrepreneur patents bee venom collection technology to boost productivity and beekeeper incomes

Kenyan entrepreneur Patrice Murugi Wachira developed an innovative technology to extract venom from bees, then monetized the product - to create an additional revenue stream for beekeepers in her community. The founder and chief executive officer of Patvention, the venture behind the technology, Wachira was selected as one of 20 promising African youth entrepreneurs by the African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab to take part in a tour in the Republic of Korea to pursue investment and gain insights from the country’s innovative tech ecosystem.

Bee venom is said to help combat skin diseases, can be used in cosmetics and facemasks, as well as in dressing wounds. Wachira’s technological innovation addresses the growing demand for bee venom in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Her patented device uses a gentle stimulation method that mimics natural triggers to encourage bees to release venom. She says this approach ensures that the bees are not subjected to undue stress, making the process both ethical and sustainable. By integrating this device into hives, beekeepers can harvest bee venom without harming their colonies, ensuring the longevity and health of their bees.

Wachira’s story highlights how expanding economic opportunities for women creates more prosperous societies. Every March, the Bank puts Gender In Focus, looking at how its work impacts women across the continent. We asked Wachira about making a business out of her innovations, and how it benefits other women with whom she works. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Question: How did you find yourself starting a venture of this nature?

Wachira: I started this venture because of my family background in beekeeping. Keeping bees is just a passion for me and my family. We started many years ago. When I was growing up, I used to keep bees, so it was not a new venture for me - only that we had not monetised it or had not made it to be income-generating. We used to get a small amount of honey from which we would sell a small amount and then consume the rest.

Wichera, center in blue, with delegation of African youth entrepreneurs selected to the AfDB Innovation and Entrepreneurships Lab study tour in the Republic of Korea.

Question: How then did you venture into bee venom collection?

Wachira: We began exploring it when we realised that most beekeepers, including us, were not getting enough income from honey. Despite the low earnings, these farmers still wanted to pursue beekeeping on a full-time basis. This is when we began researching other bee products apart from honey and we came across bee venom.

Question: How then did you come up with this device?

Wachira: After identifying bee venom as a potential income earner for beekeepers, we were seized with question on how to extract bee venom. We needed a device to do that. We made a prototype and then tested it with beekeepers until it was fully approved and patented.

Photo of Wachira’s patented, locally made bee venom collection device: image courtesy Patvention Beekeepers.

Photo of Wachira’s patented, locally made bee venom collection device: image courtesy Patvention Beekeepers.

Question: How has this venom extracting device impacted you and the beekeepers you work with?

Wachira: Firstly, I would say, the biggest impact, is on income. Together with the women I work with, we sell bee venom and we are earning an income to support our livelihoods. I come from a community where in most cases, women are the one handling their household. And for them, getting an income through selling bee venom improves their livelihoods. They now pay school fees for their children, bring food to the table and so on. Educating their children means the entire community is improving economically.

Source: https://x.com/PatventionBees/status/1813206028785230226

Question: How do you encourage other women to start technology ventures like this one?

Wachira: Most women do not start these ventures because they do not know how to do it. So, I train them on how to start technology ventures. It is always an eye-opener to them. We also ‘talk’ about these issues on our social media pages and in a way it is enlightening those who are not able to visit us. However, those close to where work always come and get trained.

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