From Notebooks to Digital Solutions: How Two Young Innovators Are Empowering Small Businesses in Kenya’s Digital Economy

In Kenya’s expanding digital economy, two young innovators, Peter Sande and Ian Muthomi, are transforming the way small businesses manage their operations.

Through their startup, Inveca, they have developed a user-friendly digital tool to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) streamline inventory management, track sales, track customer behaviours and make informed decisions.

The two co-founders sit down with The Kenya Times to tell us about their digital solution.

The Inspiration to create Inveca

Peter Sande, a Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer, was inspired to create Inveca after observing the challenges small business owners face while manually tracking sales.

 “I’ve interacted with many small business owners, and they often struggle to keep track of their sales using notebooks. It’s inefficient, prone to errors, and can lead to lost opportunities,” says Sande.

Motivated to solve this issue, Sande partnered with Ian Muthomi, Chief Technology Officer and founder of Visiondrill, to bring the idea to life.

Together, they envisioned a digital platform that would simplify inventory tracking and help businesses attract and retain customers.

The Solution

The two describe Inveca as a straightforward, easy-to-use app that allows businesses to monitor inventory, track sales, and generate real-time performance reports, with a special focus on understanding customer behavior. Its key features include:

• Stock Tracking: Businesses can monitor stock levels to ensure they never run out of essential products.
• Customer Behavior Tracking: The app analyzes purchasing patterns, helping businesses identify popular products and tailor offerings to customer preferences.
• Instant Reports: Real-time sales performance data is generated to aid in informed decision-making.
• Easy Data Management: Businesses can consolidate essential information, such as customer details, transaction notes, and purchase histories, all in one place.

 The Process

Building Inveca was a significant challenge. Sande recalls the initial hurdles, particularly in developing the backend.

“I knew the problem existed, but I needed help to build the app. That’s when I reached out to Ian, who had the expertise and resources to move the project forward,” Sande says.

With Ian’s backend solution and support from an additional developer, the team successfully developed the app in just three months. “It wasn’t easy, but seeing the app up and running made it all worth it,” Ian adds.

Challenges Faced

Like many startups, Inveca has encountered various challenges. Building trust with customers has been particularly difficult, given that they are still a new player in the market.

 “Another challenge has been navigating government regulations, such as the Data Protection Act, which continues to evolve,” Ian notes.

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He also mentions that high taxes on startups further complicate their growth. Additionally, educating small business owners about the benefits of the platform has been an uphill task, as many are accustomed to traditional methods like pen and paper.

Achievements and Early Success

Despite these challenges, Inveca has already onboarded three small businesses, primarily agro-vets, during its testing phase.

Ian views this as a significant milestone. “We’ve started small, but we’re working on strategic partnerships to bring more businesses on board, especially in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Our target is to reach over 1,000 businesses soon,” he shares.

The Future of the Inventory Digital App

Looking ahead, Sande and Ian have ambitious plans for Inveca. They envision it evolving into a comprehensive data platform that helps businesses identify market trends, predict demand, and make data-driven decisions.

“We want to incorporate features like credit facilitation by partnering with financial institutions to help small businesses access financing for growth,” Sande explains.

Additionally, the team plans to integrate payment tracking and leverage AI and data science to provide businesses with even more accurate insights.

Ian predicts a surge in startups focused on solving local problems, particularly within Kenya’s digital space.

“With the high level of internet and mobile money penetration, even small traders, like Mama Mbogas, are increasingly adopting digital solutions. This presents a huge opportunity for innovation,” he notes.

About the app

Inveca empowers businesses to streamline operations, manage inventory effortlessly, and gain actionable insights to attract and retain customers.

The app is designed to enhance efficiency, improve stock management, and strengthen customer relationships, allowing businesses to focus on growth.

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Through their innovative platform, Inveca, Peter Sande and Ian Muthomi are addressing real challenges faced by small businesses.

By combining simplicity, functionality, and a deep understanding of local needs, they are positioning Inveca as a transformative tool for businesses across Kenya.

Their app is accessible through: Inveca.co

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