Patricia Zanella is a changemaker, eco-entrepreneur and the winner of Gre’s UpGreyed Her $4,000 grant!
Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, Patricia is a gender and climate justice activist, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Ecociclo Brasil, the company behind Brazil’s first 100% biodegradable sanitary pads.
Her journey with EcoCiclo began when she saw, firsthand, how menstrual poverty was sidelining girls in rural and Indigenous communities. And she built a solution. Today, EcoCiclo has evolved from a product, to a movement for dignity, access, and sustainable innovation.
Now, as a 2025 UpGreyed Her Grant Winner, Patricia is scaling her impact with new funding, global recognition, and an unwavering focus on community-first solutions.
In this inspiring interview, she shares the lessons she’s learned on her path to purpose, and why menstrual dignity is non-negotiable.
Let’s start from the top! Who is Patricia Zanella and where are you from?
Hi, I am Patricia Zanella, I am from Brazil. Well, I am a social entrepreneur, I hold a master in international law, and I am a gender & climate activist from São Paulo, Brazil. I am the cofounder and CMO of EcoCiclo, and I built my career on the 3rd sector focused on communication with purpose, community engagement and sustainability. My social enterprise is committed to menstrual dignity, gender equity, and environmental sustainability. With a passion for justice and innovation, I work at the intersection of human rights and circular economy to empower underserved communities through access to sustainable solutions.
We all love origin stories. Tell us about EcoCiclo. What inspired you to start it? Was there a personal story or defining moment behind the idea?
EcoCiclo was born from a mix of frustration and hope. While working in human rights and development projects, I came face to face with how menstrual poverty continues to marginalize girls and women in Brazil, especially in indigenous and rural communities. I realized that menstruation was still a silent barrier to education, dignity, and opportunity and that conventional products were both expensive and environmentally harmful. That’s when I decided to create a solution that was biodegradable, accessible, and empowering. EcoCiclo became Brazil’s first sanitary pad made from local, sustainable materials and it quickly turned into a platform for awareness, advocacy, and systems change.
Since launching EcoCiclo, how would you describe your entrepreneurial journey so far? Have there been any challenges, lessons, or growth moments you didn’t see coming?
The journey has been intense, humbling, and beautiful. As a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated space, I’ve had to learn how to build while breaking barriers. One unexpected lesson was how important community and storytelling are. People don’t just support a product, they support a movement. Another challenge has been navigating funding and production as we grew keeping our values while becoming financially sustainable. Every obstacle has pushed me to be more creative, and more connected to our mission.
As a female entrepreneur, what hurdles have you faced, especially in trying to access funding to scale your business?
Accessing funding has often felt like trying to open doors that weren’t made for me. Being a Black woman entrepreneur from the Global South, with a product focused on menstrual health, hasn’t always fit the mold of “investable.” Many times, I’ve had to prove not just the value of our business, but also the validity of our market and mission. That’s why grants like UpGreyed Her are so powerful, you acknowledge and amplify what mainstream funding often overlooks.
The judges saw something powerful in your vision and awarded you the $4,000 UpGreyed Her grant! How did it feel hearing the news, and who was the first person you celebrated with?
When I received the news, I felt pure gratitude, not just for the money, but for the recognition of my cause. I immediately called my mother. She has always supported me, even when things were uncertain. We both celebrate because this was not just a win for me, but for all the women and girls we work with.
What does receiving the UpGreyed Her Grant mean for your business, and what doors do you see it opening for EcoCiclo in the near future?
The grant is a good opportunity for us. It will help us increase our production capacity, invest in better distribution, and strengthen our community education efforts. More than that, it gives us visibility and credibility that opens doors to strategic partnerships, investors, and networks that can help scale our impact across Latin America and Europe.
What would you say to other women who have big business ideas but feel stuck – unsure of how or where to find funding to start? Would you recommend the UpGreyed Her opportunity to other female entrepreneurs?
I would say: Start with what you have, and don’t wait for permission. Build something real, even if it’s small. And then, look for opportunities that don’t just fund your idea, but understand your context and values. I 100% recommend UpGreyed Her, they are clear about the process and it’s clear that is more than funding, it’s a community that lifts you up.
What does women’s empowerment look like for you — in your life, your business, and the impact you’re creating?
For me, women’s empowerment means access, choice, and freedom. It means giving girls the tools and knowledge to stay in school, lead their communities, and live without shame or stigma. Through EcoCiclo, I aim to create a world where no one is left behind simply because they menstruate and where our stories, innovations, and leadership are values.
And finally, if you could sit down with your younger self for a heart-to-heart, what’s one thing you’d say to her?
I would say: You’re not too much, you’re just in the wrong room. Keep going.
One day, you’ll build the room yourself and fill it with women just like you. I hope you have more courage than fear.
