Magda Rzepkowska of Beta Inventions Ltd
6th August 2019

Launching a business can be daunting and exciting in equal measures. For our August Women Who Launch feature, we hear from Magda Rzepkowska of Beta Inventions Ltd.
THE ELEVATOR PITCH
I am a co-founder of Beta Inventions Ltd. The company has developed an intelligent technology to evaporate urine. Our first product is the WallPee. This is a portable urinal for all male labour dominated sectors which are currently lacking proper sanitation solutions (e.g. construction).
THE OPERATION
We are at the early stages with two co-founders on board who are the perfect blend of business and technical skills. I love strategy and numbers, Grzegorz Komsta is an inventor with a head full of novel solutions to tackle real life problems.
THE FINANCIALS
Bootstrapping is the way, but it has its limits when it comes to development of industrial products. We are delighted to be one of Enterprise Ireland HPSU companies in receipt of CSF funding as well as Bolton Trust Angel Fund financial support. Without this backing our journey would be more challenging.
TARGET MARKET
The Portable sanitation hire market is our target market as they supply all sectors which our product will serve. We offer an add on to the standard portable toilet popular with festival and concert organisers. Our aim is to bring portable sanitation into the 21st century and to provide facilities where there are none at the moment (i.e. 5th floor of a building site).
BRANDS YOU LOVE
Apple – I love my MacBook and iPhone of course. There’s no better mix of design and innovation.
BIGGEST ‘WIN’ TO DATE
Securing a purchase order for 50 WallPee urinals based on a visual and a good pitch.
Hearing “Yes” to funding offers.
BIGGEST ‘SLAP IN THE FACE’
An investor pulling out after he had made promises and raised hopes.
ARE YOU SOCIAL WHEN IT COMES TO MEDIA?
Actually, at this stage social media has little importance for WallPee. Our clients don’t seem to be active in the domain.
ON TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Technology is the key to our success. WallPee is an innovative product which will impact the portable sanitation market which is still hugely dependent on the same technology used from the early 20th century (i.e. based on a waste tank). WallPee eliminates waste, current products only collect it.
IS THERE A BUSINESS MODEL YOU WOULD LIKE TO EMULATE?
I strive to build a business which I can navigate from my laptop. Travelling has always been a big part of my life, so I wish to continue doing so while efficiently managing Beta Inventions.
IF YOU HAD A BLANK CHEQUE
I would travel 1st class, build my dream super cabin in the middle of nowhere and invest in further development of our technology so it takes over sanitation as we know it and helps the environment.
YOUR TRAITS – BEST AND WORST
Best:
Leadership, creativity, planning
Worst:
Stubbornness, saying things as they are – no small talk!
BEST BUSINESS LUNCH DATE
It has to be Madonna – my role model since I was a child. She has always had sophisticated, provocative ideas and most of all is living proof of the American dream with consistent building of wealth.
IDEAL BUSINESS PARTNER
A good friend of mine who is a decisive, strong businessman but also recognises his need for self-development on a deeper spiritual level. I call him my private guru.
BEST BUSINESS ADVICE
Don’t accept “I’ll call you” as an answer, take control as much as possible. Breathe deeply and let your intuition guide you. Usually, your gut feeling is the right one!