Venille
Venille Ltd is a Nigerian producer of biodegradable banana-fiber sanitary pads paired with Venille AI, a multi-language menstrual health platform accessible via WhatsApp, mobile apps, and USSD, serving women and girls facing period poverty in Nigeria.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersPlateau
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Venille does
Venille Ltd is a Nigerian private limited company founded in 2022 and headquartered in Jos, Plateau State, that produces biodegradable sanitary pads made from upcycled banana-fiber agricultural waste and sells them alongside an AI-enabled digital health platform. The physical product is positioned at a stated 30% cost advantage over conventional pads and fully biodegrades within six months, with chemical-free processing (no chlorine bleaching) and a zero-leak design. The company also operates Venille AI, an open-source digital health platform accessible via WhatsApp chatbot, native iOS and Android mobile applications, and a USSD interface (in development) for feature-phone users; the platform supports English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin, and provides period tracking, symptom logging, health nudges, sexual-health education, and integrated pad reordering.
Venille generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of pads (one-time purchases and monthly subscriptions) via its website, WhatsApp chatbot, and mobile apps, with planned expansion into wholesale and retail outlets and logistics partnerships for broader Nigerian distribution. Its go-to-market combines a product-led digital funnel with community-led outreach, anchored by events such as the NYSC Plateau State pageantry (reaching 1,000+ young women) and partnerships with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, PSI, and GIZ. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.
The company is grant-funded rather than equity-backed: cumulative disclosed funding includes the 2022 Kukah Prize Young Innovators Award (₦2,000,000, ~$2,500), the 2023 Anzisha Fellowship, a 2024 UNDP Youth4Climate grant of $30,000, a 2025 776 Foundation Fellowship of $100,000 (two-year commitment requiring the founder to work full-time), and a 2025 Zenith Bank payment of $6,874. Headcount is reported as 1–10 with a UNDP-funded target of 35 jobs, and production capacity targets 1,000 pads/day at a Plateau State facility. Founder and CEO Esther Oluwabunmi Olalude leads the company; Renan Johnson Ali is the only other named team member.
Venille firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Venille
- Legal name
- Venille Ltd
- Website
- https://venille.com.ng
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Venille Ltd is a Nigerian producer of biodegradable banana-fiber sanitary pads paired with Venille AI, a multi-language menstrual health platform accessible via WhatsApp, mobile apps, and USSD, serving women and girls facing period poverty in Nigeria.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Venille industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Menstrual Hygiene Products
- NAICS
- Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (32562)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Menstrual Pads (Disposable) (CRABAIAA)
Keywords
Where Venille is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Plateau
Offices2 records
Markets served
Venille business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Biodegradable Sanitary Pad Sales: Direct sales of Venille biodegradable sanitary pads to consumers through e-commerce, WhatsApp ordering, and retail partnerships. One-time purchase model with home delivery and pickup options.
- Subscription Plans: Recurring subscription model providing regular pad supply to customers. Enables predictable revenue and customer retention through automated replenishment.
- Pad Restocking Integration: AI platform sends reminders to restock pads based on user's menstrual cycle, integrated with e-commerce functionality for seamless reordering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard pad pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription pad supply |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Venille product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Venille manufactures and sells biodegradable sanitary pads made from upcycled banana stem fiber (agricultural waste) that fully decompose within six months and are positioned as 30% more cost-effective than conventional plastic-based pads. The company also operates Venille AI, a digital menstrual and sexual health platform accessible via WhatsApp chatbot, iOS/Android mobile apps, and USSD, providing cycle tracking, symptom logging, personalized health nudges, and integrated pad ordering in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin.
Product overview
Venille operates a dual-product portfolio combining physical consumer goods with a digital health platform. The core offering is the Venille Biodegradable Sanitary Pad, made from upcycled banana fiber that biodegrades within six months. This is complemented by Venille AI, an intelligent digital health platform accessible via WhatsApp chatbot, mobile app (iOS/Android), and USSD, which provides personalized menstrual tracking, health education, and pad ordering. The digital and physical products are tightly integrated—users can order pads directly through the AI platform. Venille positions itself at the intersection of menstrual health, climate sustainability, and period poverty alleviation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Venille AI: Intelligent digital health platform accessible via WhatsApp, mobile app, and USSD that provides personalized period tracking, symptom logging, sexual health education, and access to eco-friendly Venille Biodegradable Pads.
Products and services
- Venille Biodegradable Sanitary Pad Eco-friendly sanitary pad manufactured from upcycled banana stem fiber (agricultural waste), fully biodegradable within six months, chemical-free (no chlorine bleaching), with zero-leak design and maximum comfort. Positioned as 30% more cost-effective than conventional pads and intended for women and girls in underserved Nigerian communities facing period poverty.
- Venille AI Intelligent digital health platform providing personalized menstrual cycle tracking, symptom logging, sexual health education, and integrated pad ordering. Accessible via WhatsApp chatbot, iOS/Android mobile apps, and USSD for feature phones, with multilingual support in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin. Built as an open-source solution for localization.
Quantifiable outcome
- Pads biodegrade within 6 months vs hundreds of years for conventional plastic-based pads
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Venille
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Venille technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Venille partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- U.S. Consulate General LagoscoreCEO Esther Oluwabunmi Olalude participated in U.S. Consulate Speaker Program on AI: 'AI for Business: Driving Innovation and Productivity'. Event organized by Public Diplomacy Section of U.S. Department of State at 21st Century Technologies, Lekki Phase 1.
- Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development NigeriaflagshipVenille participated as panelist and group facilitator at Nigeria Economic Empowerment & Menstrual Health Pilot Project meeting, organized in collaboration with PSI and supported by GIZ. Discussions focused on menstrual health and women's collectives in Plateau State.
- Population Services International (PSI)coreCo-organizer of Nigeria Economic Empowerment & Menstrual Health Pilot Project Multi-Stakeholder Co-Creation Meeting alongside Ministry of Women Affairs, with GIZ support.
- MTN NigeriaminorLogo displayed as partner; specific partnership nature not detailed in available sources.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Venille competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AFRIpads: Uganda-based social enterprise producing reusable cloth menstrual pads for schoolgirls across sub-Saharan Africa. Directly comparable mission (period poverty, Africa, school absenteeism), distribution model, and target customer base.
- Natracare: UK-based global brand for organic and natural feminine hygiene products including pads and tampons. Comparable product positioning around plastic-free, biodegradable feminine care with premium retail distribution.
- EcoFemme: India-based social enterprise producing washable cloth menstrual pads with educational programs in schools. Comparable eco-friendly positioning, social mission framing, and product-plus-education model.
- Saathi Pads: India-based manufacturer of biodegradable sanitary pads made from banana fiber and other plant-based materials. Closest direct peer to Venille, sharing both the biodegradable product category and agricultural-waste-to-pad innovation thesis.
- Sirona Hygiene: India-based feminine hygiene brand offering menstrual cups, biodegradable pads, and pain relief products. Comparable digital-first D2C distribution model and target segment of young, urban women in an emerging market.
- The Honey Pot Company: US-based feminine care brand with plant-based, chemical-free products positioned for underserved consumers. Comparable mission-driven branding and natural/chemical-free product positioning.
- Lola (LOLA): US-based direct-to-consumer feminine care brand offering organic cotton pads and tampons via subscription. Comparable D2C + subscription business model and eco-friendly product positioning.
Emerging players
- Clue: Berlin-based period and ovulation tracking app with global user base. Comparable digital menstrual health platform with focus on education and tracking, though app-only versus Venille's pads-plus-platform model.
- Flo Health: UK-based leading AI-powered period tracking and women's health app. Comparable AI-driven cycle prediction, personalized nudges, and reproductive health education functionality in Venille AI.
Broad incumbents
- Procter & Gamble (Always/Whisper): Global FMCG giant whose Always and Whisper brands dominate the conventional disposable sanitary pad market, including Nigeria. Represents the incumbent competitive context for Venille's biodegradable and AI-augmented offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Venille social profiles
Digital presenceVenille financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Venille leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Venille funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Venille M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Venille
What does Venille do?
Venille manufactures and sells biodegradable sanitary pads made from upcycled banana stem fiber (agricultural waste) that fully decompose within six months and are positioned as 30% more cost-effective than conventional plastic-based pads. The company also operates Venille AI, a digital menstrual and sexual health platform accessible via WhatsApp chatbot, iOS/Android mobile apps, and USSD, providing cycle tracking, symptom logging, personalized health nudges, and integrated pad ordering in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin.
Is Venille a public or private company?
Venille is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Venille founded?
Venille was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Venille based?
Venille is headquartered in Plateau.
How does Venille make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Biodegradable Sanitary Pad Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription Plans and pad Restocking Integration.
Who are Venille's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AFRIpads, Natracare, EcoFemme, Saathi Pads, Sirona Hygiene, The Honey Pot Company and Lola (LOLA). Emerging players are Clue and Flo Health. Procter & Gamble (Always/Whisper) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Venille have an API?
No public API is recorded for Venille.
What industry is Venille in?
Venille's product category is Menstrual Hygiene Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABAIAA, Menstrual Pads (Disposable). Its NAICS code is 32562 and its SIC code is 2844.